Situated along the spectacular curve of Mirs Bay in the Yantian District, this haven of golden sand and crashing surf is anchored by the whimsical, towering "Winged Angels" sculptures of Dameisha Beach Park and the pristine, newly rebuilt opulence of the MGM Shenzhen at Xiaomeisha. Within a highly scenic, breeze-swept afternoon, you can experience a profound coastal contrast: transition from the bustling, lively shores of Dameisha—where thousands of local families and weekend surfers gather under the shadow of Steven Holl's gravity-defying Horizontal Skyscraper (Vanke Center)—to the hushed, exclusive white sands of Xiaomeisha. Stop for a flawlessly mixed, ocean-facing cocktail on the terrace of a luxury resort, browse the vanguard marine exhibits inside the futuristic, newly opened Xiaomeisha Sea World, and sample the bay's incredibly fresh, locally caught seafood in sleek, open-air dining rooms built directly into the cliffs. Saunter along the meticulously engineered coastal boardwalk that seamlessly stitches the two bays together to watch the city’s yachting elite and design-conscious youth navigating the subtropical heat. Take a break from the dense, high-decibel stimulation of the Futian CBD with a quiet morning swimming in the exceptionally clear, turquoise waters of the eastern seaboard, watching the mist roll off the steep, jungle-draped slopes of Wutong Mountain just behind the shoreline.
Don't Miss
- Exploring Dameisha Beach Park. This is the beating heart of Shenzhen's public beach culture. Stretching over a kilometer long, it is famous for its lively atmosphere, its sweeping crescent shape, and the iconic "Winged Angels" installations planted directly in the sand, symbolizing the soaring ambitions of the city's youth.
- Experiencing the reborn Xiaomeisha. Once a slightly dated, ticketed beach, Xiaomeisha has recently undergone a staggering, multi-billion-yuan master-planned transformation. With the opening of the ultra-luxurious MGM hotel and the cutting-edge Xiaomeisha Sea World, it has officially claimed the title of Shenzhen's premier, high-end coastal enclave.
- Marvelling at the Horizontal Skyscraper (Vanke Center). Located just inland from Dameisha, this architectural triumph by Steven Holl appears to float above tropical gardens on massive structural pylons. It is a breathtaking feat of engineering and serves as a sustainable, mixed-use hub of design and corporate headquarters.
How to Get There
Historically, the journey to the eastern beaches was notoriously prone to weekend traffic jams, but the city's master planners have completely solved this with a triumph of subterranean engineering.
To plunge directly into the sand, take the spectacular Line 8 (The Sea Express). This newly extended subway line rockets from the urban core, tunneling through the mountains to emerge on the coast, offering dedicated stations for both Dameisha and Xiaomeisha. It provides a frictionless, climate-controlled transition from the dense financial districts directly to the beachfront in under 45 minutes.
Quick Facts
- The names translate literally to "Large Plum Sand" (Dameisha) and "Small Plum Sand" (Xiaomeisha), named for the historic, plum-blossom-shaped topography of the bays.
- The newly completed Xiaomeisha Transport Centre is a masterclass in Transit-Oriented Development (TOD). It brilliantly separates vehicular and pedestrian traffic into a multi-tiered, elevated park system that physically connects the transit hubs directly to the green mountains and the sandy beach without crossing a single road.
- Because the bays face southeast into the open ocean, the water quality and clarity here are exponentially higher than the muddy, estuarine waters of the western Shenzhen Bay, making this the undisputed capital for local surfing, sailing, and wakeboarding.
Home to the Greater Bay Area's ultimate waterfront revival
Since the late 1990s, Dameisha has served as the accessible, joyous playground for a rapidly expanding mega-city. But with the recent, sweeping redevelopment of Xiaomeisha, the "Twin Bays" are now an enclave synonymous with both democratic leisure and uncompromising, global-standard luxury. From the massive investment in restoring the coral reefs to the groundbreaking architecture of the new marine parks, the area's love of the ocean sees it serve as the definitive, dual-identity retreat for the Pearl River Delta.
The neighborhood's striking, sun-drenched aesthetic has been featured throughout global hospitality media as the ultimate proof of Shenzhen's evolving lifestyle demands. And while the staggering luxury of the new MGM brings an undeniable, international jet-set energy, the district hasn't forgotten its inclusive roots, ensuring that the sprawling public boardwalks, the affordable local seafood stalls, and the sheer, simple joy of a day at the beach remain the immovable, authentic foundation of the space.
The Golden Sands—navigating the coastal divide
The wide, flawlessly paved coastal greenway connecting the two beaches forms the district's main circulatory artery. Stepping out of the subway and onto the boardwalk, you'll immediately see a network of vibrant, cascading coastal parks, sleek architectural pavilions, and the relentless, soothing rhythm of the South China Sea.
Jam-packed with weekend athletes, international hoteliers, and local families, this coastal grid is a fascinating melting pot of high-energy public life and highly polished, slow-paced exclusivity that's sure to give you a profound, highly restorative perspective on how Shenzhen relaxes.
Satisfy your appetite, from global resorts to pier-side catches
Behind almost every gleaming resort facade and along the wooden decks of the nearby seafood streets are the district's celebrated kitchens, pumping out a mix of the city's most elevated international fare and robust, ocean-to-table dining. A must-do for visitors to the area is the "Twin Bay Contrast." Because the two beaches offer vastly different atmospheres, the culinary spectrum is brilliantly diverse.
Whether you're after the flawless execution of an imported, dry-aged steak and a robust Barolo inside a five-star dining room at Xiaomeisha, or a comforting, expertly crafted plate of spicy salt-and-pepper squid paired with a cold local beer on a bustling Dameisha terrace, there's something to satisfy every schedule and palate.
A paradise for architectural ambition and marine ecology
The twin bays are arguably Southern China's capital of "coastal curation," and what's a beautiful beachfront without spectacular, design-forward environments? No matter your aesthetic, you can find an incredible, curated selection of spaces that treat the stunning natural topography with immense architectural respect.
The undisputed charm of the area lies in its relentless modernization. If you're hoping for an elevated experience, be sure to browse the sprawling, immersive exhibits of the new Xiaomeisha Sea World, which integrates cutting-edge digital displays with profound marine conservation efforts. It is a stunning example of how a district can successfully package a massive influx of capital into a sophisticated, highly engaging exploration of the ocean.
Taking to the quiet "Wutong" mountain slopes
Thanks to their global impact as a tourism powerhouse, the main sands of Dameisha and the luxury plazas of Xiaomeisha are undeniable, high-energy hotspots. Though the atmosphere there is essential for understanding the area's draw, if you really want to immerse yourself in the varying, deeply peaceful layers of the neighborhood, you must look toward the steep, forested slopes rising directly behind the resorts.
If you head to the expansive hiking trails that wind up into the foothills of Wutong Mountain, you'll find a network of incredibly quiet, tree-lined paths connecting some of the most serene, perfectly preserved stretches of the district. Stepping into this fiercely protected national park offers a peaceful, grounding contrast to the roar of the beach crowds—a place where the noise of the weekend vanishes, replaced by the rush of hidden waterfalls, the distant hum of wind through the bamboo, and the authentic, unhurried rhythm of a coastline guarded by Shenzhen's highest peak.
