Spent three days in Nan'ao, and my spending philosophy collapsed

🌊 Nan'ao Island August Guide: Seafood in one hand, waves in the other, become the island master in three days!

Who says summer is only for air conditioning, WiFi, and watermelon? In August on Nan'ao Island, the sea breeze tastes like chilled sparkling water, the beach feels like a preheated oven (hot feet warning!), and the seafood just jumped from the sea into the pot! This guide helps you avoid pitfalls and become a happy islander in three days～

🔥 Must-visit TOP 5
1. Qing'ao Bay
• Features: Free! The sand is as fine as flour, the sea water as blue as a filter, even Hawaii would be speechless. Jet skis and banana boats cost extra but are super thrilling, remember to bargain!
• How to play: Rush to see the sunrise at 7 AM 🌅, swim after 4 PM, don’t try frying eggs on the beach at noon!

2. Sancong Cliff Lighthouse
• Features: Red and white striped ice cream cone shape, adds an artistic vibe to photos. Free!
• How to play: Go at dusk, capture lighthouse + sunset + windmill group in one frame, a sure hit on social media.

3. Jin Yin Island
• Features: 6 yuan entrance fee, legendary pirate treasure site, touching the statue’s gold ingot is said to bring wealth (believe it or not).
• How to play: Circle the island in 30 minutes, look for “treasures” in the reef cracks (actually little crabs).

4. Nan'ao Bridge
• Features: Free! An 11-kilometer sea-crossing giant dragon, driving at sunset feels like passing through a movie scene.
• How to play: Don’t stop recording on the passenger side, ETC bridge toll is 91.2 yuan, cheaper than cash and saves you a milk tea.

5. Ranji Sweet Soup Shop
• Features: Copper pot sweet soup enough for three, fried tofu crispy outside and tender inside to tears.
• Must order: Mung bean soup + duck mother dumplings, sweetness as intense as island romance.

🚗 Three-day Island Master Training Plan
Day 1: Island-wide walking mode
• Morning: Nan'ao Bridge sunrise → Changshanwei Lighthouse (red tower + blue sea = perfect match).
• Noon: Houzhai Town’s dazzling seafood porridge + oyster omelet, so fresh your tongue will dance 💃.
• Evening: Step into the waves at Qing'ao Bay, check in at Tropic of Cancer Square’s “Gate of Nature”.

Day 2: Artsy pose mode
• Morning: Sancong Cliff Lighthouse photoshoot → Windmill Hill to watch white windmills spin.
• Noon: Yun'ao Fishing Port to eat freshly caught steamed grouper, fish meat more tender than a young heartthrob.
• Evening: Qian'ao Bay Lighthouse night view, white tower and green grass like a Santorini substitute.

Day 3: Relax and chill mode
• Morning: Treasure hunt on Jin Yin Island → Song Well to drink freshwater from the Southern Song Dynasty (16 yuan worth it? Depends on your faith).
• Noon: Shen'ao Town General’s Mansion (13 yuan entrance), feels like an ancient drama NPC.
• Evening: Lie flat at Qianjiang Bay Beach Park, listen to the sea wave lullaby 🌊.

🏨 Where to stay for stunning pool photos?
1. Shuyejia Homestay: An ins-style courtyard converted from a Chaoshan old house, perfect for afternoon tea photos to post a 9-grid, Trip.com rating 4.7.
2. Xixili Sunset Sea View Homestay: Infinity pool + private beach, rooms look gilded at sunset, Trip.com “Golden Phoenix Beautiful Stay” certified.

🚌 Transportation Guide
• To the island: Take bus 161A from Shantou Station (10 yuan) direct, or drive with a bridge toll of 96 yuan (free on holidays).
• On the island: Rent an electric scooter for 50 yuan/day, take the 601 counterclockwise island bus to visit attractions.

🍤 Food Attack List
1. Full-flavored seafood stir-fry: Seaweed fried rice so fragrant you’ll lick the plate, steamed sea fish fresh enough to raise your eyebrows.
2. Yuxi Ji Steam Hotpot: Lobster freshly caught and steamed, meat so bouncy you could play ping pong with it.
3. Chengbo Fan Sha Shop: Fan sha taro sweet outside and glutinous inside, calories? Swimming a lap in the sea burns it off!
4. Nan'ao Island signature juice ice: Mango strawberry popsicle, sour and sweet like island love 💘.
5. Ran Twin Pickles: Raw marinated shrimp like jelly sliding into your mouth, weak stomachs should pair with white porridge for safety.

💸 Three-day spending record
• Food: Three seafood feasts about 600 yuan, sweet snacks 200 yuan, stomach very satisfied.
• Stay: Two nights in homestay 800 yuan, pool night view worth the price.
• Travel: Rental + bus 300 yuan, wind and sun exposure but freedom is priceless.

Overall feeling: Wallet got thinner, but phone album and belly got fatter!

📸 Photo spots locked down
1. Rocks under Sancong Cliff Lighthouse, stand on them at low tide for sea and sky in one line.
2. Walk 200 meters left from Qing'ao Bay beach, a deserted corner + glassy sea = magazine cover.

⚠️ Blood and tears tips
1. Reapply sunscreen every hour! Otherwise, you’ll instantly become a charcoal islander.
2. Ask the price before ordering seafood, the pain of a 300 yuan fish you don’t want to understand.

August on Nan'ao Island feels like God put a filter on it, no flaws except melting from the sun! Please share hidden tips in the comments, next time I want to be the island boss! 🌴