Rizhao Donggang Beach (日照东港海滨)

Rizhao Donggang Beach is the main beach of Rizhao, on the southern Yellow Sea coast of Shandong province, China. It lies along the Donggang seafront in Donggang District, near Wanping Kou, and is known for a very wide, flat sand shore, clean water and a long promenade. The sand is fine and the seabed slopes gently, so the water stays shallow for a long way out; water colour is the usual greenish-blue of the Yellow Sea. The beach is open and exposed, and its width means the tide line can sit a long way from the promenade, which suits walking, sunrise watching and swimming rather than surfing. Rizhao markets itself as a Sunshine Coast city, and the beach draws mostly domestic tourists in summer, giving it a busy but easy-going family atmosphere. Amenities include changing rooms and showers, marked lifeguard zones, seafood restaurants, the promenade and cycle path, and sunbed hire. Lifeguard hours are not confirmed here and vary with season. The beach is about 20 km east of Rizhao West Station and about 130 km south of Qingdao. Visitors reach it by DiDi from Rizhao West Station in about 30 minutes for roughly CNY 45-70, or by bus 1 or 6 from Rizhao city. The promenade and cycle path give flat, continuous walking or cycling along the shore, and sunrise draws early crowds in summer. Parking near the seafront is usually available but can fill at weekends and on holidays. The bathing season runs from June to September, with July and August the peak. Jellyfish can appear in some summers, and swimmers should follow flags and lifeguard guidance. Outside the season, the beach is quiet and better suited to walking than swimming because of cold water.