Weizhou Island is a volcanic island in Guangxi Province, 21 nautical miles south of Beihai City. China National Geographic Magazine named it one of the "Ten Most Beautiful Islands in China." This is China's largest and youngest volcanic island, with beautiful beaches, an average temperature of 22 degrees, and an excellent range of seafood restaurants. Outside of national holidays, the island is rarely visited, but it contains some interesting sites, such as a gothic-style Catholic Church built by the French in the nineteenth century.

Prior to the French occupation, the island was under Vietnamese control, which explains the abundance of elaborate pagodas and temples. On the south side of Weizhou Island are the high and steep unique volcanic lava landforms. On the north side are the open and smooth coastal beaches. The island has lush vegetation and stunning scenery, making it one of China's most popular island vacation destinations.

Traveller Tip: Ferries leave on a daily basis, but booking ahead of time and paying extra for first class is recommended. Again, bring plenty of cash with you because foreign bank cards are not accepted.

Be warned: English is not widespread on the island, except for the younger people, but Mandarin is common among most of the locals.

• Location: Beihai, Guangxi, China
• Landing fee: 120 yuan per person

The Penghu Islands (or Pescadores) are a group of 64 islands in the Taiwan Strait between China and Taiwan, with a population of nearly 93,000 people spread across 20 of the isles. Magong City is the largest on the island and has some of the most important sight-seeing, great biking trails, water sports, and an incredible coastline.

The islands are rich in lore and culture, with folktales, historical sites, and fascinating artwork. The clear waters of Penghu Bay, combined with strong winter winds, have established Penghu as an international hotspot for competitive sailing. In the spring and summer, the islands host spectacular firework festivals, and in the fall and winter, visitors can enjoy the fresh and delicious catch of the sea at the Penghu Seafood Carnival. Penghu is also an excellent choice for seaside fun, with blue seas, clear skies, soft white beaches, a plethora of beach and water recreation facilities, and an incredible marine ecology and scenic beauty.

Traveller Tip: Because English is not widely spoken, slower speech and a dictionary will come in handy. Between 2 and 5 p.m., stay indoors or in the shade because the temperature rises and there are no Western-standard medical facilities on the islands.

• Location: Taiwan Strait, China
  

The Nanji Chain island were the first in China to join UNESCO's world biosphere protection networks, and that is the reason why: they have elegant oceanic scenery, well preserved ecology, and stunning rock formations. It is located in Pingyang County, Zhejiang Province, on the east sea surface of the Aojiang River for 30 miles, 50 miles from downtown.

The distribution of Nanji Island is influenced by wave and tide erosion, which exposes bedrock and forms steep cliffs. Many of the islands' shorelines have twists and turns, as well as numerous headlands and bays. With a daily average temperature of about 16 degrees, it is not the most sun-kissed on the list of the most beautiful islands in China , but it makes up for it with clear, blue seawater and incredible scenic sites like Dash'ao, Guoshengao, Sanpanwei, Dalei Mountain, and Bamboo islet.

Traveller Tip: Take a shuttle bus at Wenzhou Transportation Centre to Aojiang, take a yacht to the island group themselves. Don’t forget your camera!

• Location: Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province

Hainan Island is the most southern in China – Hainan Island itself is the largest landmass and is currently undergoing a makeover as foreign and local investment pours in, setting the stage for it to become the Monaco of China. Aside from the numerous new hotels, casinos, and resorts that are springing up along the coast, Hainan has so much more to offer, from surfing to excellent restaurants, that you will not be bored – especially in the Wanning and Riyubay areas.

It is a beautiful island resort, though perhaps not as peaceful and unspoiled as some of its neighbours, but according to Chinese legend, this location was 'Tianya Haijiao,' which means the farthest part of the sky and sea, or the edge of the world. This may not be true, but with summer temperatures reaching 35 degrees, crystal clear warm waters, and beautiful sandy beaches, it is undoubtedly out of this world.

Traveller Tip: Winter is the busiest season because many Northern Chinese own second homes here and come to escape the harsh northern winters in Hainan. Surf competitions are held here, so you should check the schedule to ensure a more quiet, relaxing beach experience.

• Location: Qiongzhou Strait, China

The island's name derives from the sacred Buddhist mountain in the island's heart, and it is one of the most tourist-friendly on the list of the most beautiful islands in China, with an accommodation post at the port, English-speaking guides, and an efficient public transportation system. Putuoshan Island has a total area of 12 square kilometres, the majority of which is unspoiled nature. The island is well-known for being a sacred site for followers of Chinese Buddhism.

The mountain at the island's center is considered to be one of the four sacred mountains as pertains to Chinese Buddhism. The island has a one-of-a-kind and extremely rare natural beauty. History and architecture buffs should pay a visit to the Dubai Pagoda. This structure can be found on Mount Putuo's southeast side. It is a five-story structure that dates back to 1334 and is considered the oldest remaining structure on the island. Those who want to spend more time at the beach should go to One Thousand Step Beach. It is the island's longest beach, stretching 1,750 metres, and is always kept clean. It's a great place to unwind because of the sand and the surrounding scenery.

Traveller Tip: Because this is a Buddhist island, the restaurants primarily serve vegetarian fare, and there are no Western restaurants. Also, none of the menus are in English, and only a few of the staff are fluent in it, so bring a dictionary!

• Location: Zhoushan (about 230 kilometers from Hangzhou City), Zhejiang Province
• Landing fee: 110 yuan per person

Dayushan Island is ranked by National Geographic as one of the most beautiful islands in China, and it does not disappoint. It is an ideal location for camping or a beach vacation, with crystal clear lakes, lush grassland, and a clear blue sea. It is a popular camping resort due to the stunning, picturesque views and scenery, but basic accommodation is available at some of the local temples. Taking a trek around the mountain is highly recommended, and for those seeking something a little different, there are stables on the island where you can rent a horse, and let his legs do the hard work!

The lakes in Dayushan are never dry and have sweet-tasting water because they are fed by their own springs. The surrounding hill slopes are quite gentle, with patches of reed plants thrown in for good measure. The combination of green hills, blue waters, and rocks creates a charming scene. There are also patches of grassland, totaling 600 hectares. These characteristics have earned the island the moniker "magic island in the East China Sea."

Traveller Tip: Despite its popularity for camping, it is not developed, so bring all of your camping gear.

• Location: Fuding Prefecture, Fujian Province

Linjin and Nanding, located on the western bank of the Taiwanese strait in China's only coastal volcanic geographical and geomorphic area, offer stunning basalt columns, ancient craters, and beaded fumaroles – it is regarded as a volcanic geographical museum. Aside from the spectacular volcanic topography, there are remnants of ancient forests that have been buried for 8,000 years, as well as fantastic sandy beaches.

The islands are home to a Tea Museum (a must-see in China ), the Sea Volcano Park, the Mangrove Nature Reserve, and delectable local snacks such as puppet head and pearl cream. With average temperatures of around 22 degrees, it is the ideal temperature for trekking and exploring these magical island gems.

Traveller Tip: The best months to visit are September to March to avoid the rainy season and typhoons. Do not swim because the tides and currents are unpredictable, complex, and dangerous – there are no lifeguards stationed here! Always bring a dictionary, a camera, and sunscreen!

• Location: Linjin Island, China
  

Gulangyu is a delicate small island on the southwestern side of Xiamen Island that dates back a century. Gulangyu Island, with its magnificent natural scenery, colonial-style architecture, and numerous interesting museums, is a must-see on your Xiamen tour. Gulangyu Island attracts a large number of visitors each year due to its beautiful natural scenery, colonial-style architecture, and numerous interesting museums.

Gulangyu Island has approximately 20,000 permanent residents, all of whom live a comfortable and relaxing lifestyle. Because only electric vehicles are permitted on the island, the environment is free of the noise and pollution caused by combustion engines. Breathing in the fresh air and admiring the ever-present green trees and beautiful flowers, anyone here can feel as if they are in heaven. The island truly deserves to be called the "Architecture Museum" because of its classical and romantic European-style architecture. Because of its reputation for music appreciation, it is also known as the 'Cradle of Musicians' and the 'Island of Music.'

Traveller Tips: Overly crowded beaches and shopping areas are the only complaints that many visitors seem to have when they arrive on Gulangyu. So try to avoid visiting the popular island during China's public holidays (especially May Day and National Day) or on the weekends. Remember to bring a dictionary!

• Location: Fujian, China
  

Lantau Island is one of the most beautiful islands in China, but despite its ease of access, it has remained underdeveloped in comparison to others. The main reason for visiting Lantau Island is to get away from the dense, urban hustle of Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula. Life moves a little slower—but not too much slower—and the roads are a little windier.

On Lantau, you can go from the beaches to the big pagoda to the Discovery Bay bar-restaurant in the same day. Lantau is a paradise for those who enjoy getting out and about, but it also has a lot to offer history buffs and culture vultures. Lantau has something for everyone, whether you want to hike to a sunset viewpoint or take a glass-bottomed gondola to Hong Kong's tall seated Buddha before returning to a restaurant by the sea.

Travel Tip: On weekends and holidays, major attractions on Lantau Island, such as the Po Lin Monastery and Disneyland, become overrun with domestic tourists, especially in the spring and fall. If you want to avoid crowds, try to visit popular places on weekdays and ask your reception desk about places with few people.

• Location: Hong Kong, China
  

Shamian Island, also known as Zhongliusha or Shicuizhou, is an elliptic sandbar in Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province. In the nineteenth century, the Qing Dynasty government divided the territory into two concessions granted to France and the United Kingdom. The island is a historical area that serves as a peaceful reminder of the colonial European era, with quiet pedestrian avenues flanked by trees and lined by historical buildings in various states of repair. The island is now home to a number of hotels, a youth hostel, restaurants, and tourist shops selling trinkets and souvenirs.

Because it has been a concession of France, Britain, and other western countries, many buildings are of western style, such as the Catholic Church in the French Concession, Christ Church in the British Concession, the former HSBC, and the former British and French Consulates. The property has many trees and a pleasant environment, as well as buildings, organisations, sports and entertainment facilities. There is no traffic congestion or air pollution on the island as a result of transportation restrictions. There are many cafés, restaurants, and bars along the way, just like in small European towns. And there are plenty of suitable chairs by the roadside.

Travel Tip: Because English is not widely spoken in this country, remember to speak slowly and bring a dictionary.

• Location: Guangzhou, Guangdong, China