Dongchong Mangrove Wetland Park.

Baguang Heritiera Wetland Park.

An aerial view of Yangmeikeng.Photos by Liu Xudong

A dragon boat race at Nan'ao Moon Bay.

Xichong Tourist Resort.

Hetang Wetland Park.

Editor's note:

Shenzhen is composed of nine administrative districts, one new area, and the Shenshan Special Cooperation Zone in Shanwei. While all 11 areas share Shenzhen's defining spirit of innovation, each has its own unique characteristics. This article provides a comprehensive travel guide to Dapeng New Area, a southeastern peninsula known for its harmonious blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and economic potential.

Dapeng New Area, located on a picturesque peninsula in southeastern Shenzhen, offers breathtaking coastal and mountain views. The new area features six clusters of guesthouses, including those at Dapeng Fortress and Jiaochangwei. Below is a travel guide to help you plan your trip to Dapeng, complete with three two-day itineraries designed for a weekend of rest and relaxation.

Itinerary 1: Nature excursion

Day 1: Dongchong Mangrove Wetland Park — Xichong Tourist Resort — Shenzhen Astronomical Observatory

Day 2: Nan'ao Moon Bay — Shell Bay — Dapeng Fortress

Dongchong Mangrove Wetland Park

As a large-scale comprehensive wetland park with constructed mudflats occupied by mangroves, Dongchong Mangrove Wetland Park provides essential habitats for a variety of birds and marine creatures.

Shenzhen Astronomical Observatory

The 29,700-square-meter Shenzhen Astronomical Observatory, established in 2010, includes several buildings that serve as a comprehensive base for astronomical, meteorological, and oceanic observations, as well as academic research and public science education.

Nan'ao Moon Bay

Boasting stunning sea views, Nan'ao Moon Bay is a renowned tourist destination that is famous for its local delicacies, particularly seafood. It has hosted the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Maritime Dragon Boat Race for the last two years.

Dapeng Fortress

Built in 1394, Dapeng Fortress is one of the most well-preserved military fortresses from the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties. It is recognized as a protected historical site in China.

Itinerary 2: A romantic journey

Day 1: Rose Coast — Guanhu — Baguang Heritiera Wetland Park

Day 2: Jinsha Bay — Rose Town

Rose Coast

Situated in Dapeng Bay within the Xichong community, the Rose Coast is the first 3A-level tourist resort in Dapeng. It covers a total area of 226,000 square meters, including 70,000 square meters of beach. Jinsha Bay also offers visitors picturesque sea views.

Baguang Heritiera Wetland Park

Rich in biodiversity, the park is home to mangrove species such as Heritiera littoralis and Kandelia obovata and over 50 types of birds. The park is named for its mangrove cluster, which is the world's oldest and most intact natural looking-glass mangrove formation. Next to the cluster stands Yanzao village, a Hakka village that dates back more than 300 years.

Rose Town

Rose Town is a comprehensive cultural industry park that combines wedding photography, commercial film and television shooting, wedding venues, and sightseeing. It also features six themed areas, such as European, Chinese, and Korean-style streets.

Itinerary 3: An artistic journey

Day 1: Yixiang iD TOWN — Guanhu Village — Xichong Tourist Resort

Day 2: Hetang Wetland Park — Yangmeikeng— Judiaosha

Yixiang iD TOWN International Art Block

Home to contemporary artwork and several art studios, the Yixiang iD TOWN International Art Block exudes a creative and artistic ambiance. Highlights include a vegetarian restaurant with stunning mountain views, a café housed in a car, and other unique structures.

Guanhu Village

Surrounded by mountains and overlooking the sea, Longgang District's Guanhu Village boasts 4.5 kilometers of coastline and is home to over 80 guesthouses in different styles, making it a perfect destination for relaxation.

Xichong Tourist Resort

With a 5-kilometer-long beach, Xichong Resort offers an array of recreational activities and showcases Dapeng's seaside scenic spots. Yangmeikeng and Judiaosha also boast captivating coastal views.

Hetang Wetland Park

Visitors can cycle along the paths, enjoy cool breezes, and bask in warm sunshine while appreciating nature and clearing their minds.

Itinerary 4: A journey through red history

Day 1: Historical sites of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression in Dapeng Fortress — Dongshan Temple — Yuan Geng's Ancestral Residence

Day 2: The former site of the Tuyang Headquarters of the Dongjiang Column of the Guangdong People's Guerrilla Force Against Japanese Aggression  — Shayuchong —Dongjiang Column Evacuation Memorial Park

Historical sites of the War of Resistance in Dapeng Fortress

Within Dapeng Fortress, visitors can explore historical sites related to the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, including Pengcheng School, the former site of the Dongjiang Column Headquarters, and Liu Heizai's former residence. In 1943, the Dongjiang Column conducted its first training session for young and middle-aged officers in the mansion of General Lai Enjue, eventually holding seven sessions with over 100 participants each. Tourists can also visit other sites like Liu Heizai’s former residence and  exhibitions that explore the patriotic history of China.

Dongshan Temple

Rebuilt three times in the last six centuries, the Dongshan Temple complex includes several buildings, including the Grand Hall and the temple of the Goddess of Mercy. During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the temple became the site of the seventh branch of the Military and Political University of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, which produced notable figures such as Lai Zhongyuan and Liu Heizai.

Yuan Geng's Ancestral Residence

Shuibei Village, situated at the foot of Luogu Mountain, is the hometown of Yuan Geng, a trailblazer in China's reform and opening up. In 2021, it was listed as a practice base for learning the "four histories" — histories of the Communist Party of China (CPC), New China, reform and opening up, and socialist development. Yuan joined the CPC in his youth, later served as the head of the Dongjiang Column's liaison division, and played a key role in the rescue of renowned literary figures such as Zou Taofen and Mao Dun.

Dongjiang Column Evacuation Memorial Park

This park is an important revolutionary memorial site and a patriotic education base in Shenzhen dedicated to commemorating the historic retreat of the Dongjiang Column to Shandong Province during the revolution. The park also features two memorial pavilions, one of which contains a monument inscribed with an introduction to the Dongjiang Column's northward retreat to Shandong.

Additional itineraries:

Itinerary 1 — An exciting excursion

Day 1: Dapeng Peninsula Geopark — Luzui Villa

Day 2: Yangmeikeng — Yacht Club

Day 3: Dongchong-Xichong coastline — Xichong Tourist Resort

Itinerary 2 — A journey with family

Day 1: Dapeng Fortress — Dapeng Four Seasons Coastal Pastoral — Pengfei Park — CITIC Sands Bay Water World

Day 2: Nan'ao Moon Bay — Xichong Beach — Shenzhen Astronomical Observatory

Day 3: Shell Bay — Dapeng Peninsula Geopark