Pingqing Lake, the second largest lagoon in Asia and a coastal lagoon on the mainland of China, is located on the southern coast of the urban area of Shanwei City. Surrounded by mountains, sea, lake, and city, it appears as if holding a bright pearl in its mouth. The general lake area covers about 22.74 square kilometers, with the longest north-south distance being approximately 4.3 kilometers and the longest east-west distance about 9 kilometers.
The western part has an outlet directly to the Pacific Ocean, earning it the title of ‘Mother Lake of Shanwei’. The environmental air quality of Shanwei City ranks first in Guangdong Province, and the environmental air quality of the Pingqing Lake New District ranks first in Shanwei City. Pingqing Lake is not only clear and bright but also scenic. On one side, it is bordered by undulating mountains, and on the other, by the bustling urban scenery, complementing each other. The island in the lake, surrounded by water, shimmers on the lake’s surface, just as described in poetry, ‘a green snail in a silver plate’. Near the outlet, it possesses both the ruggedness of the sea and the tranquil beauty of a river and lake, making it a place one would linger to visit. Pingqing Lake is well-known for its abundance of fish and rice, and its rich human culture. Besides the long-standing Haiyan culture, Danjia culture, and Mazu culture related to the ‘sea’, there are relics of late Neolithic residents dating back 3,000-4,000 years around Pingqing Lake, commonly known as ‘Sha Keng culture’. The unique folk culture of ‘seeing the bride in the first month’ in Pingqing Village has attracted tourists and scholars from home and abroad for sightseeing and research. Shanwei Port on Pingqing Lake has a history of about 300 years. Due to its strategic location for maritime transportation between Fujian and Guangdong, and being a must-pass route for foreign merchant ships, it has generated substantial fish and salt taxes. It developed into an important port during the Ming and Qing dynasties and reached its peak during the Republic of China period. Shanwei has always been known as the ‘Port of Champions’ and ‘Little Hong Kong’. Dr. Sun Yat-sen listed it as one of the four major fishing ports in Guangdong to be developed in his ‘Plan for the Construction of the Nation’. In December 2021, with provincial approval, the Pingqing Lake New District Management Committee was established in Shanwei City, marking a new era of high-quality development for Pingqing Lake. The Zhongshan Ferry on the banks of Pingqing Lake, operated by Shanwei Minghao Investment Development Co., Ltd., offers the ‘Shanwei Pingqing Lake Ocean Sightseeing Tour’ service. This route passes through Fengshan Ancestral Temple Scenic Area, Xiaodao Fishing Village, Shanmei Square, Liyawei, Sha She Peninsula, Roman Square, and Poly Jinting Bay. It is open all year round from 06:30 to 18:30, with yacht departure times at 10:00 and 14:00; the specific opening times are subject to on-site announcements. Preferential policies: babies in arms: under 1 year old, free; children: over 1 year old and under 1.2 meters, 40 yuan. Service facilities: parking lot: [Parking Lot] reference price: subject to on-site disclosure; address: near Hongwei Dock; capacity: 20. Restrooms: There are restrooms at Hongwei Dock Zhongshan Ferry and on the yacht, with prominent signs.Smoking Area: Geographically located within Hongwei Dock and Zhongshan Ferry, there are designated areas for smoking on the ship; visitors are only allowed to smoke in these specified areas.
Convenience Store: A convenience store is located at the entrance of Hongwei Dock and Zhongshan Ferry, where Alipay and WeChat Pay are accepted.
