Dong'ao, Wailingding islands near quality-level peak

Zhuhai's Dong'ao and Wailingding islands were designated national 4A-Grade tourist attractions by the Guangdong Tourist Attraction Quality Rating Committee on May 25. This puts the islands at the fourth of a five-level rating that determines the quality of the attraction relative to its peers in terms of safety, cleanliness, sanitation, and transportation.

Wailingding is situated where the Pearl River Estuary meets the South China Sea, just southeast of Xiangzhou District. It is the city's only island with a view of downtown Hong Kong, only 6 nautical miles from Cheung Chau in the north. It has gained popularity with eight famous attractions such as Chongcheng Castle, Beacon Tower, and rock carvings of the Qing dynasty (1644-1911), and enhancement due to well-known chants from Wen Tianxiang (1236-83), who was a politician and litterateur at the time.

Wailingding Island 

Dong'ao is surrounded by the Wanshan Archipelago 30 km southeast of Xiangzhou. Remnants of military buildings can be found everywhere as evidence of its being the most prosperous island in the archipelago in the past. Nansha Bay, one of its beautiful landscapes reputed as "diamond beach," boasts smooth white sands and clear seawater.

The Wanshan Marine Development Experimental Zone has diligently built island tourist spots into a high-end characterized brand since 2016. Over 100 million yuan ($14.7 million) has been invested on environment and landscape upgrades in island scenic areas. Key improvement projects have been implemented in several areas, including infrastructure, transportation, tourist security, sanitation, shopping, comprehensive management, conservation of resources, and landscape quality. 

Dong'ao Island [Photos courtesy Southern Plus]

Tourist service centers on the two islands now include an infirmary, walking-assisted instruments, barrier-free accesses, self-service water dispensers, and computers.

In addition, the resort signage system has been improved and a new travel guide map of the entire island has been published for tourists. Signage includes introduction boards at each scenic spot, road signs, sightseeing bus stop boards, resting places, and reflectors, and all are said to afford island views.

The pair of islands was foreseen as a model and rising star for Guangdong coastal tourism, an expert panel agreed in the early stage of examination and review.