Riyue Bay

Riyue Bay — Sun and Moon Bay — is a long crescent of sand facing open ocean that became China's surf capital almost by accident. The waves here are not dramatic by global standards, but they are consistent, the water is warm year-round, and the setting — backed by coconut palms with a clear view to the horizon — makes it an easy place to spend a day regardless of whether you surf. Half a dozen surf camps operate on the beach offering board rental and lessons from around 200 yuan, and the instructors are experienced enough to get beginners standing in an afternoon.

The bay is divided informally between the surf break at the northern end and a calmer swimming section in the middle. In the evenings the beach fills with food stalls and the social life of the surf community, which mixes committed local riders with Chinese tourists discovering the sport and the occasional international visitor. The atmosphere is relaxed and unpretentious in a way that the resort beaches further south are not.

things to do sight swimming
A story
China's first formal surf competition was held at Riyue Bay in 2004, when wave-riding was so new to the country that organisers had to import both the judges and most of the competitors. Twenty years later the bay hosts international events and has produced the country's first generation of professional surfers — a transformation so fast it still surprises people who remember the empty beach.