The coastline between Dongchong and Xichong is regularly named by Chinese National Geographic as one of the eight most beautiful coastlines in China — and it sits less than ninety minutes from downtown Shenzhen.
On the last day of May 2020, our guides led a group across the full traverse: just over four hours of jungle paths, wave-cut rock platforms, empty beaches and headland scrambles. It had rained the day before, so the granite was slick in places — exactly the kind of day when route knowledge matters.
The exposed sections are protected by fixed chains and ropes bolted into the rock. Our leaders walked the line ahead of the group, spotted every tricky step, and made sure nobody rushed the down-climbs. On the sand between headlands, the pace slowed: photos, shells, a quick look for crabs in the rock pools.
By the time the group reached the final beach, the flag was still flying and everyone was still smiling. That is what a well-run traverse looks like — challenging enough to feel like an achievement, managed well enough to feel safe the whole way.
¹ As named by Chinese National Geographic magazine.
