Han Ximin

    ximhan@126.com

    SURFERS on the city’s east side, where big winds mean big waves on Shenzhen’s beaches, are anxiously awaiting the arrival of strong winds in Shenzhen, a city that usually sees four to five typhoons every summer.

    William Zheng, manager of a local electronics company, said he’s starting to get the annual itch.

    “Every summer or even early autumn, I feel impulsive needs to leave depressing work and enjoy the blue sky, white sands and free spirit brought by the heavy winds,” Zheng said.

    Zheng often spends summer weekends with friends on the city’s largest beach, Xichong Beach, which is regarded as one of the eight most beautiful beaches in China by Chinese National Geography magazine. “We are very lucky to have such a nice beach,” Zheng said.

    Xichong, with the city’s longest stretch of beach and cleanest seawater, has been listed the best place for tourism development among the 19 beaches on the area’s 142-km coastline. Local tourism authorities have said the city’s eastern coast will be developed with a focus on three areas: Meisha-Maluanshan, Kuichong-Baguang and Dapeng.

    Diving clubs, surfing clubs and hiking camps will be built in Xiasha, Dongchong and Baguang. Yacht clubs will be built near beaches such as Shangdong, Shayuchong, Shiziwan and Judiaosha to boost the beach area’s economy.

    The Xiasha area in Dapeng will be turned into a tourism resort aimed at middle-income families in the Pearl River Delta, and also will be a tourism service base for the whole peninsula. The Judiaosha area will be developed into a hub for marine sports such as sailing, yachting, windsurfing, camping and beach entertainment.