Paracel Islands are located about 180 sea miles to the southeast of Hainan Island. Together with Dongsha, Zhongsha and Nansha Islands, they are the south tip of China. Since very few visitors have ever landed on the island, Paracel has the well-preserved marine ecological system.

Paracel Islands was selected as the most beautiful one among the 6500 islands in China by Chinese National Geography Magazine in 2005.

Paracel Islands is the only way between Chinese mainland and Southeast Asia and Indian sea route. For hundreds of years, ships with china, silk, spice and pepper pass by and therefore this route is nicknamed “silk road on the sea”.

Paracel Islands is mainly composed of coral reef. The reef above the surface is only one-hundredth of the whole and most of them are under the water between 1-3 meters. Since it is rarely visited, the water is very clear and it can be seen through as deep as 40 meters. Therefore, diving along the coral reefs under the water is not only safe but you can also enjoy the wonderful underwater world.

More than 40 birds live in Paracel Islands. There are always birds hovering above the sea and forests. There also exist large number of fishes around the island including 400 kinds of coral fishes and oceanic fishes. Precious sea turtle, sea cucumber, pearl and abalone are also present.

In Paracel Islands, you will always see numerous flying fishes take off from the surface and fly like an arrow. The pectoral fins are very strong and wide like the wings of dragonflies. They set out from the sea with high speed and open their fins to glide for tens of meters.

Paracel Islands used to be under the military management but now it is open for tourism. Paracel Islands’ travelling will focus on the high-end market. Visitors should take boat or airplane to travel to the confined area or route and they have to follow the touring group.

Transportation: Tourists should take Qiongsha II store ship to Yongxing Island first. Application is needed for Paracel Islands and the quota is limited. Qiongshi II goes back and forth between Yongxing Island and Paracel Islands one time a month.

Where to live: Tourists can live in the fishermen’s house on the island, on the ship and in the tent which was brought by themselves. The fresh water in the island are purified from the rain water so keep saving water in mind.

Food: You can eat all kinds of seafood in Paracel Islands. You can take some wood coal and cumin with you to barbecue by yourself.

Diving: The water here is crystal clean so that you can see clearly the underwater world when diving.
Tips: Jan to April is the best season for travelling in Paracel Island. Since May there will be typhoon and it is very strong from August to October. The sunshine is very glaring so remember to take the sun cream, hat and sunglasses. Mosquitoes are everywhere so anti-mosquito oil is a must.