Is Jinsha Island in Leting, Tangshan Worth Visiting?

Jinsha Island, also known as Dawanggang, is located in Leting County, Tangshan City, Hebei Province, bordering the southwestern Bohai Sea. It is an arc-shaped sandbar island formed by 11 intermittent connected sand ridges.

The island features a warm temperate semi-humid monsoon continental climate, with an annual average temperature ranging from 11°C to 13°C. It is characterized by dry winters, humid summers, concentrated rainfall, prominent monsoons and four distinct seasons. Winds shift noticeably with the changing seasons. Facing Putuo Island across the sea, Jinsha Island is covered in golden fine sand that glimmers under sunlight, hence its name "Golden Sand Island".

Stretching 13.5 kilometers in full length, with a maximum width of 250 meters and a total area of 3.25 square kilometers, the island resembles a giant ocean liner dropping anchor amid rolling waves, or a colossal whale resting on the water’s surface. According to legend, when the Eight Immortals crossed the sea, Han Xiangzi accidentally spilled his flower basket, transforming the celestial flowers into Dawanggang Island, and drawing a phoenix to fly over and watch the tides.

A rare maritime wonder takes shape here: islands lie within the sea, lakes nestle inside the main island, and smaller islets dot the lakes. The island’s width constantly shifts with the ebb and flow of tides, lending it ever-changing varied appearances.

The slender island divides offshore waters into an inner sea and an outer sea. The outer sea boasts glittering golden sand and sapphire-blue seawater, forming a natural island bathing beach. The inner sea boasts fertile water teeming with fish, while crabs and shellfish carpet the shallow flats — an ideal spot for fishing, crab catching and shell gathering. Adjacent to the island’s western end runs the main shipping channel for fishermen heading out to sea. Fishermen sail out in fleets, and return at dusk with full boats, singing folk fishing ballads accompanied by fluttering seagulls.

The beach sand on Jinsha Island consists of medium-fine, pure white grains that do not sink underfoot when walked on. The outer tidal flat is narrow, while the swimming zone stretches wide with calm gentle waves and pollution-free seawater, making it a natural venue for sand baths and sea swimming. It is also an excellent natural sunbathing destination with strong solar radiation and abundant sunlight. Infrared rays in the sunshine boost human metabolism and blood circulation, deliver ample nutrients to body tissues, regulate bodily rhythms and improve physical fitness and beauty.

From May to November every year, red-crowned cranes and grey cranes migrate to the island, thrilling lucky visitors. Countless seagulls freely forage along the shore and soar through the sky. Professional birdwatching groups with good fortune may even spot the rare Saunders’s Gull, a precious global species. The main fishing waterway sits at the island’s western end, where fleets of fishing boats depart and return loaded with catches, with fishermen chanting fishing songs escorted by seagulls.

Major recreational activities on Jinsha Island include sunbathing, sand baths and sea swimming. The island is home to abundant wildlife, including national protected species such as red-crowned cranes and grey cranes.

Local specialties you must try when visiting Jinsha Island: