Tangyu Island (塘屿岛), located off the coast of Fuzhou, is a long, flat island known for its scenic beauty and unique geological formations. The southernmost beach of Tangyu Island is a natural crescent-shaped, sheltered beach with over 1000 meters of coastline suitable for swimming and surfing. The water is exceptionally clear, with waves typically ranging between 30 to 50 cm in height, and the beach features gentle currents.
Tangyu Island is notable for being the closest point on the Chinese mainland to Taiwan, with Hsinchu Port in Taiwan just 68 nautical miles away. In the 1980s and 1990s, the island was a bustling hub for cross-strait trade, with many Taiwanese merchants using Tangyu as a transit point to purchase and transport fish from mainland China to Taiwan.
One of the island’s most remarkable features is the massive reclining stone figure known as the “Haitan Celestial Being.” This natural granite formation is four times the size of the Leshan Giant Buddha, measuring 330 meters in length and 150 meters in width. The figure’s head rests on a golden sandy beach and extends into the clear waters of the East China Sea, with its arms lying flat by its sides. The detailed features of the head, ears, chest, and belly are incredibly lifelike, making it the world’s largest naturally formed granite humanoid sculpture.
To the west and north of the stone figure, three bays are interconnected, with sandy beaches extending up to the head and shoulders of the stone figure. Besides this impressive stone man, Tangyu Island is home to various other sea-eroded rock formations such as Sail Rock, Drum Rock, Furnace Rock, Wooden Fish Rock, and the Eight Immortals Go Board Stone. These formations, skillfully combined by nature, create a stunning and unique landscape.
Tangyu Island is renowned for its high-quality beaches and remarkable sea-eroded landforms, earning it the title of “Museum of Sea-Eroded Landforms” from experts. The island’s steep cliffs and jagged rocks contrast beautifully with its expansive sandy beaches, making it a rare and exquisite natural seaside resort. Visitors can engage in various activities like beach sports, shell collecting, sand sliding, swimming, and fishing, all while enjoying the island’s untouched natural charm. Tangyu Island truly offers a sense of returning to nature, presenting itself as an idyllic paradise and an enchanting offshore fairyland.
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 – 2 hours |
| Ticket Price | Free |
| Opening Hours | 24 hours a day throughout the year |
Location and Transportation
Tangyu Island is located at the southern end of Pingtan County in Fuzhou, Fujian Province. To reach the island, visitors can take a bus from Fuqing (福清), which takes about one hour to arrive at Wokou Ferry Terminal (沃口渡口). From there, a ferry ride of approximately half an hour will bring them to Tangyu Island. On the island, there are various guesthouses and restaurants, making it convenient for dining and accommodation.
