China
East Asia: a fast-growing coast from the Greater Bay Area to the Hainan Free Trade Zone
Overview
China is very big. From the northernmost port of Jinzhou to the southern tip of Hainan is more than 2,200 nautical miles, and the climate runs from continental cold to tropical. Recreational boating is younger here than in much of the region, and entry rules still differ from province to province.
That is changing fast. Marina developments are growing along the coast, and the Greater Bay Area and Hainan are being developed as the centre for yachting and marine industry. Hainan in particular, the "Hawaii of China", has opened up with a Free Trade Zone and a "Free Cruising" scheme for yachts from Hong Kong and Macao.
The cruising spreads the length of the seaboard, from the marinas of the Pearl River Delta around Shenzhen and Guangzhou up to Xiamen, Shanghai, Qingdao and Tianjin, and south to the tropical beaches and bays of Hainan.
Marinas & Map
Map Key - Marinas
- Sanya Serenity Marina (Hainan)
- Visun Royal Yacht Club (Sanya)
- Nansha Marina (Guangzhou)
- Shenzhen Bay Marina
- Wuyuan Bay Yacht Club (Xiamen)
- Metropolitan Marina (Shanghai)
- Qingdao YinHai Yacht Club
- Ocean One Yacht Club (Tianjin)
✈ Sanya Phoenix International Airport (Hainan)
Getting There & Clearance
Clearance
Entry rules vary by province, so a local agent is essential. Hainan is the most open: five ports (Sanya Visun Royal, Haikou, Qinglan, Yangpu and Basuo) are designated entry-exit ports for yachts from Hong Kong and Macao, with a "Free Cruising" scheme covering eight scenic areas.
Government Contacts
Immigration: State Council of the PRC · gov.cn
Customs: General Administration of Customs · customs.gov.cn
International Airports
Sanya Phoenix · Shenzhen Bao'an · Guangzhou Baiyun · Xiamen Gaoqi · Shanghai Pudong & Hongqiao · Qingdao · Beijing Capital.
Hainan Free Cruising Areas
Dongying · Boao · Shimei Bay · Haitang Bay · Sanya Nanshan · Longmu Bay · Qizi Bay · Lingao Cape.
Local Services
Shipyards
Heysea Yachts · Cheoy Lee · Kingship Marine · Qingdao Shipyard
Brokerage & Charter
Simpson Marine
Agents
Central Yacht
Marine Construction
Walcon Marine
Legal & Technical
HFW · Brookes Bell · JiaDa Engineering
Yacht Build
Sunreef Yachts
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the yachting hub in China?
Hainan and the Greater Bay Area around Shenzhen and Guangzhou are being developed as China's centre for yachting. Hainan, the "Hawaii of China", is the most open, with a Free Trade Zone and a Free Cruising scheme for yachts from Hong Kong and Macao.
When is the best time to cruise China?
Northern China is best from May to October, while the south and tropical Hainan are best from November to April.
Where are the marinas in China?
Marinas run the length of the coast: Sanya Serenity and Visun Royal on Hainan; Nansha at Guangzhou and Shenzhen Bay in the Greater Bay Area; Wuyuan Bay at Xiamen; Metropolitan Marina at Shanghai; YinHai at Qingdao; and Ocean One at Tianjin.
How do superyachts clear into China?
Entry rules vary by province, so a local agent is essential. Hainan is the most open, with five designated yacht entry-exit ports and a Free Cruising scheme for Hong Kong and Macao yachts.
Which APSA members are based in China?
China's APSA members are Cheoy Lee Shipyards Ltd, Heysea Yachts Group Limited, Sunreef Yachts and Walcon Marine Australia. See each in the members directory above.