Cangnan 168 Golden Coastline, a stunning coastal road! Worth a visit!
✅ Route overview
Starts in the north at Chongjia'ao, Yanting Town (check-in sign at the start), and ends in the south at Xiaguan Fishing Port, Yanpu Town. The total length is about 168 km. Rated by *Chinese National Geography* as the most beautiful coastline in southern Zhejiang, it's the ultimate destination for road trips, motorcycle tours, and cycling. The entire road is free to access, and most viewpoints along the way are free.
✅ Best time to visit
May–June, September–October (fewer crowds, crystal-blue water); July–August is peak season for water activities; the sunset over the sea from 5:00 PM–7:00 PM is breathtaking.
✅ How to get around
Driving is the best option (most flexible); public transportation is inconvenient, so relying solely on it is not recommended; there are many charging stations along the way for electric vehicles.
II. Two classic itineraries (ready-to-use plans)
Option 1: 2 days, 1 night (recommended, relaxed pace, covers all highlights)
Day 1: North section (Chongjia'ao → Yanting → Palm Bay, stay in Yuliao)
1. Chongjia'ao (start) | Check in at the 168 road sign and the viral shipwreck "Zhejiang Bluewis", go clamming or dig for small crabs on the mudflats
2. Yanduigang (free) | Site of the Qi Jiguang Beacon Tower, 360° cliffside ocean views, panoramic white windmills, a hidden gem for photos
3. Longtaibei (free, must-stop) | Cangnan's "City in the Sky"! Cliffside lawn + white watchtower, ocean-view cafe, top choice for camping and relaxing, one of the best viewpoints on the entire route
4. Yanting Golden Beach (free) | Beach certified by *National Geography*, soft sand, colorful viral cabins, Heart Island (stunning for aerial photography), eat seafood here for lunch
5. Shipeng Coastal Boardwalk (free) | Cliffside boardwalk by the sea, includes a short glass walkway, waves crashing right beneath your feet
6. Palm Bay (free) | Black rock cliffs, seaside promenade, ocean views on three sides, perfect for cliffside ocean photos
👉 Accommodation: Stay in Yuliao Scenic Area, right by the big beach, convenient for exploring the south section the next day
Day 2: South section (Yuliao → Moon Bay → Xiaguan, return trip)
1. Yuliao Big Beach (fee: CNY 40) | The largest golden beach in southern Zhejiang, the "Oriental Hawaii", top choice for swimming and beach fun
2. Wucheng Moon Bay (free) | Viral colorful fishing village, hidden gem with fewer crowds, fishing boats + blue and white cabins, comparable to Italy's Cinque Terre, legendary sunset views
3. Changsha Beach (free) | Pristine, wild beach, quiet and uncrowded, perfect for photos
4. Xiaguan Old Street (end point, free) | The end of the route, blue and white houses, the "Zhejiang Santorini", stroll the old street, eat seafood, climb Windmill Mountain in the evening for sunset ocean views
Option 2: One-day highlights short trip (weekend getaway, 6–7 hours)
Chongjia'ao → Yanduigang → Longtaibei → Yanting Golden Beach → Palm Bay → Moon Bay → Xiaguan. Only visiting viral spots, no deep-dive water activities.
III. Must-visit attractions (mostly free, key spots highlighted)
North section (Chongjia'ao—Yanting)
1. Longtaibei ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (free)
The viewpoint on the entire route! Cliffside lawn + white lighthouse, facing the East China Sea, great for coffee, camping, and aerial photography. Free parking.
2. Yanting Golden Beach ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (free)
Fine sand and clear water, colorful houses, swings, pink beach, Heart Island (stunning for aerial photography); well-equipped and convenient for dining.
3. Shipeng Boardwalk ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (free)
Cliffside boardwalk by the sea, facing the ocean, the glass walkway is stunning for photos.
Middle section (Palm Bay—Yuliao)
1. Palm Bay ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (free)
Black rocks + seaside promenade, ocean views on three sides, quiet and uncrowded.
2. Yuliao Big Beach ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (fee: CNY 40)
The only major paid attraction, top choice for water activities and families, spacious beach.
3. Wucheng Moon Bay ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (free)
The most beautiful spot on the entire route! Colorful fishing village + fishing boats + blue sea, the best spot for seaside sunsets.
South section (Xiaguan end point)
Xiaguan Old Street ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (free)
Blue and white seaside old street, Minnan fishing village style, full of seafood stalls, a perfect end to the trip.
IV. Accommodation recommendations (divided into two sections, choose as needed)
① Stay in Yanting (for the north section, suitable for the first day)
Shatan Youju Homestay
📍 Located on Haibin Road, Yanting Town. Direct access to Golden Beach, ocean-view room with floor-to-ceiling windows, family suite can accommodate 6 people, food street downstairs, super convenient for viewing the beach at night
② Stay in Yuliao (first choice for 2-day trips, central hub, covers both north and south)
1. Cangnan Cape No. 8 Hotel (highly recommended)
Right by Yuliao Beach, ocean-view room with floor-to-ceiling windows, the owner is welcoming and can arrange fishing trips, seafood processing on the first floor is great value, family-friendly
2. My Seaside Homestay
Right on the beach, floor-to-ceiling windows facing the sea, the owner will tell you where to go clamming, perfect for a relaxing vacation and watching the sunrise over the sea
3. Yuliao Tinghai Lou Homestay
High-floor ocean-view room, watch the sunrise from bed, breakfast included, clean and comfortable, great value
V. Authentic seafood (list to avoid pitfalls)
Yanting Town (first choice for lunch in the north section)
1. Haiwei Hotel (Zhongxing Road)
A long-standing local favorite. Must-order: handmade Yanting fish cakes, stir-fried rice cakes with swimming crab, razor clams with scallion oil. Fresh seafood, set meals are a good deal, generous portions
2. Yijiayi Food Stall
Must-order: stir-fried rice cakes with mantis shrimp, small seafood supplied directly from fishing boats, great value
Xiaguan Town (dinner at the end point, eat seafood while watching the sea)
1. Xiaobeike Seafood Restaurant
Popular seafood restaurant in Xiaguan. Drunken shrimp, oyster omelet, razor clams with scallion oil. Fresh ingredients, dining and accommodation in one, homestay available upstairs
2. Lijin Seafood Boat
Seaside stall. Boiled sea snails, braised cuttlefish eggs, seaweed fried rice, ocean-view seating with a great atmosphere
Must-try local snacks
✅ Yanting fish cakes, stir-fried rice cakes with mantis shrimp, oyster omelet, seaweed fried rice, stir-fried rice noodles with sea anemone
VI. Tips and avoiding pitfalls
1. Navigation tips
There are many intersections along the road, so add all attractions as waypoints; look for the blue guardrails and rainbow road markings, and follow the coastal road—you won't get lost.
2. Parking fees
Marked roadside parking spaces are free; free parking at Longtaibei and Yanduigang; parking at Yanting and Moon Bay scenic areas is CNY 10 per entry for the whole day. Try to arrive early on holidays to avoid parking difficulties.
3. Ticket summary
The entire coastal road has no entrance fee; only Yuliao Beach charges CNY 40; all other viewpoints, fishing villages, and boardwalks are free, offering great value.
4. Clamming tips
You can go clamming at Chongjia'ao and Yuliao mudflats; check the tide table in advance; bring your own small bucket and shovel.
5. Outfits and photos
Light-colored long dress, straw hat; easily capture the vibe of California's Highway 1 at cliffside spots, colorful fishing villages, and along the coastal road.
6. Driving safety
There are many curves, so slow down when passing other vehicles; the UV rays by the sea are very strong, so sunscreen and sunglasses are essential.
VII. One-sentence summary
Cliffs, windmills, blue seas, colorful fishing villages, and pristine wild beaches all the way. Most attractions are free. Drive south along the rainbow coastline from Chongjia'ao to Xiaguan for breathtaking mountain and sea views. It's definitely the ultimate road trip in southern Zhejiang! 👍✌🫰