China

Country Data

Regions

3

Breaks

44

Coastline

14,500 KM

Cost of living

Capital

Beijing

Current Time

Security

Health

Where to surf in China

Surfing is growing rapidly in China and it has been targeted as the next big market for the big surf brands to move into, as local governments inject cash into the tourism infrastructure.

Getting around is challenging with all communication in Mandarin only, as very few speak any English. Foreigners are not allowed to rent cars in China, unless they have a local license and boards are not accepted on most trains and buses. Without a Chinese friend or a professional driver managing hectic traffic, beach access and complicated weather forecasts, getting to the spots is near impossible.

Yellow Sea and East China Sea

The extensive east china coast receives swell from the Yellow Sea, East China Sea and South China Sea, where less than 500 surfers share around 10,000km of exposed beaches and reefs and amazingly, most of it is still unexplored. Winter NE swells in the 2-6ft range, are nearly constant from November to April, but summer flat spells can be long, tide range is huge (up to 7m) and the coast is often industrialised and polluted, with great amounts of plastic waste littering the shores.

South China Sea

200kms of SE-facing beachbreaks leads to the subtropical Hong Kong & Guangdong zone.

The island of Hainan clearly represent the best bet for getting a wave in China, receiving the largest, most reliable surf and are both venues for top tier international contests.

China surf map

Explore the 3 regions & 44 surf breaks in China.

Travel Information

General
Current Time
Tourists
62,900,000
Population
1,439,323,776
Tourist Info
Tourist Info

Security

Health

Money
Currency
CNY

Cost of living

Communication
Dialing in
+86
Dialing out
00
Emergencies
112
Language
Standard Chinese (Mandarin/Putonghua), Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghaiese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan (Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka dialects, minority languages
Electricity
Plug Type
a
c
i
Visas

China - Visas are complicated, expensive (between US$100- $200) and vary quite a bit from country to country. You need to apply for your visa well in advance of a trip as it takes time and is not always straightforward. Hainan also has its own visa rules. Be smart and get it sorted early!

Hong Kong - Although considered part of China for most things, HK has its own visa policy that allows stays of up to 90 days visa free.

Due to global pandemic, Visas, Getting There, Getting Around or Accommodation information and pricing may have changed. Always check Government Travel Advice before travelling.

Library

Helpful surf travel videos and articles featuring China.

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