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Wanshan Archipelago

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

The Wanshan Archipelago is a large collection of 104 islands.

Shek Kwu Chau and Wai Lingding Island 1
Shek Kwu Chau and Wai Lingding Island 1

These islands are located in the South China Sea. They belong to the Xiangzhou District in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, China. The archipelago sits south of the Pearl River estuary and Hong Kong.

Island from Tian Tan Buddha
Island from Tian Tan Buddha

This location makes the islands an important part of the regional geography. The islands are organized into several distinct groups based on their location.

The western group sits south of the Pearl River estuary and Lantau Island. Europeans once called these the Ladrones Islands. This name comes from the Spanish word for thieves. This group includes Greater Wanshan, Guishan, and Wai Dangling Islands. It also contains the Zhizhou, Sanmen, and Aizhou groups. The eastern group is located south of Hong Kong Island. These were formerly known as the Lema Islands. Today, they are called the Jiapeng Liedao and Dangan Liedao.

There is also a central group located south of Lantau. This group includes Wai Lingding Dao. This island is a popular tourist attraction with natural sites and temples.

Shek Kwu Chau and Wai Lingding Island 1
Shek Kwu Chau and Wai Lingding Island 1

The northwestern group sits between Lantau and Macau. This group includes the Zhizhou Liedao and Guishan Dao. Guishan Dao served as a PLA base starting in the 1950s. The islands are connected by various geographic features, such as the Lema Channel. This channel is a major waterway within the archipelago.

The islands vary greatly in size and shape. Dangan is the largest island in the archipelago. It has an area of 13.2 square kilometers. About 200 permanent residents live there, mostly near Zhangmu Bay and Hengkeng. Erzhou Dao is the highest point in the entire archipelago. It rises 437.7 meters above sea level.

Ocean Park and Erzhou Dao
Ocean Park and Erzhou Dao

Other islands have unique shapes, such as Wenwei Zhou. This small island consists of two hillocks. It is also known as Gap Rock in English.

History has left many marks on these islands. In 1892, a lighthouse began operating on Wenwei Zhou. A Hong Kong contractor built it to help ships navigate toward Hong Kong. The Imperial Qing Government helped fund the construction and maintenance. The site included a telegraph, storage rooms, and living quarters. It was originally staffed by a British lighthouse keeper. However, typhoons damaged the lenses and windows in 1893 and 1905. Civil war in China eventually left the site in ruins by the 1930s. The lighthouse was later restored in 1986 using solar panels. It is now fully automated.

Life on the islands is closely tied to the sea. Most people live in small fishing villages like Danganwei and Nacun. The local economy relies heavily on fisheries. Residents catch items such as peeler crabs and crystal prawns. Tourism is also a growing part of the economy. About 350,000 tourists visit the islands every year. They come to see the beaches and natural beauty.

珠海東澳島2008 5
珠海東澳島2008 5

In 2014, a Club Med holiday resort opened on Dong'ao Dao.

珠海東澳島2008 16
珠海東澳島2008 16

Visitors can reach the islands using ferry services from Zhuhai.

There are many notable sights for visitors to explore. On Miaowan Dao, there is a coral beach at Xiafeng Bay.

珠海東澳島2008 5
珠海東澳島2008 5

Beijian Dao features two peaks called Asses' Ears. These peaks rise almost perpendicularly to 300 meters.

Other sites include the A-Ma Temple on Wanshan and the Blundbuss Tower on Dong'ao. Some islands also feature monuments, such as the Monument to the Martyrs of Guishan Warship. These sites connect the islands to their historical and cultural past.

The archipelago is a complex system of land and water. The islands provide habitats for various natural sites, such as the Dangandao Provincial Nature Reserve. The waters around the islands also hold potential for petroleum extraction. This shows how the archipelago is important for both nature and industry. From the small islets like Ai Zhou Zi to the large mountainous terrain of Dangan, the area is diverse.

Islas del archipiélago Wanshan, Hong Kong, 2013-08-13, DD 01
Islas del archipiélago Wanshan, Hong Kong, 2013-08-13, DD 01
Islas del archipiélago Wanshan, Hong Kong, 2013-08-13, DD 02
Islas del archipiélago Wanshan, Hong Kong, 2013-08-13, DD 02

The Wanshan Archipelago remains a vital part of the South China Sea region.

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🖼️ Images & Media (9)
File:Ocean Park and Erzhou Dao.JPG
Ocean Park and Erzhou Dao.JPG
File:Islas del archipiélago Wanshan, Hong Kong, 2013-08-13, DD DD 03.JPG
Islas del archipiélago Wanshan, Hong...
File:珠海東澳島2008 5.jpg
珠海東澳島2008 5.jpg
File:Shek Kwu Chau and Wai Lingding Island 1.jpg
Shek Kwu Chau and Wai Lingding Island 1.jpg
File:Island from Tian Tan Buddha.JPG
Island from Tian Tan Buddha.JPG
File:Islas del archipiélago Wanshan, Hong Kong, 2013-08-13, DD 01.jpg
Islas del archipiélago Wanshan, Hong...
File:Islas del archipiélago Wanshan, Hong Kong, 2013-08-13, DD 02.jpg
Islas del archipiélago Wanshan, Hong...
File:Guishan Island (Zhuhai) - 2007 - 07.JPG
Guishan Island (Zhuhai) - 2007 - 07.JPG
File:珠海東澳島2008 16.jpg
珠海東澳島2008 16.jpg
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