Qilianyu is not a single island, but rather a group of seven closely connected islands (in fact, there are ten) located to the southwest of Yongxing Island in the Xisha Islands, which are part of the Xuande Archipelago. These islands are intimately linked and are in close proximity, resembling ten brilliant pearls scattered in an arc across the vast ocean, encircling Yongxing Island. Fishermen who have been coming here for centuries to fish have vividly named these seven islands ‘Qilianyu’. Qilianyu is also one of the world’s more suitable underwater parks for diving and sightseeing. The seabed presents a view of reefs and scattered rocks, with beautiful corals and anemones spread throughout, and starfish, sea urchins, and unknown shells scattered about. Clusters of corals can be seen, as beautiful as blooming flowers, including staghorn corals, sunflower corals, and vibrant red corals. Schools of colorful fish swim in groups, creating a very peculiar scene.
The seven small islands of Qilianyu: Xisha Zhou, Bei Dao, Zhong Dao, San Shi Zai, Bei Sha Zhou, Zhong Sha Zhou, and Nan Sha Zhou, each island is about the size of ten football fields and is at an elevation of about three to four meters. There is no fresh water on any of the seven small islands of Qilianyu, and Xisha Zhou and Nan Sha Zhou are essentially barren sandy beaches. In recent years, due to typhoons, two new sandbanks have formed in the southern part – Xixin Sha Zhou and Dongxin Sha Zhou.
Tips for visiting: 1. Watching the sunset on the small islands is excellent, with the red evening glow filling the sky, the vast ocean, and returning birds flying past the setting sun, while waves crash against the cliffs, creating an intoxicating atmosphere. Strolling on the beach to collect shells and catch crabs is also a pleasure. 2. Pay attention to the weather conditions; Qilianyu is an uninhabited island, and being stranded on the island would be troublesome.
Qilianyu: A Spectacular Underwater Paradise in the Xisha Islands
Qilianyu is not a single island, but rather a group of seven closely connected islands (in fact, the[...]
