When the tide recedes, the sandy beach on Dongshan Island in Fujian Province, China, reveals a fishbone shape that attracts many visitors to admire.
The Fishbone Sandbar is located at the southern edge of Kim Phuong Bay in Chancheng Town, Dongshan County, Fujian Province, China. It gets its unique name because when the tide goes out, the sand appears in the shape of a giant fishbone.
The sandbar stretches approximately 2,000 meters from north to south and about 500 meters wide from east to west. However, the shape of the sandbank changes each year due to tidal variations and monsoon winds.
When the tide recedes, the giant fishbone sandbar will appear. (Image taken from the clip).
Dongshan is the second largest island in Fujian Province. This area features a beach often referred to by many travel websites in China as “the endless sea” due to its mirror-like surface. Among these attractions, the Fishbone Sandbar stands out as a highlight.
Historically, in the 20th century, this area was merely a sandy stretch covered with wild grass, featuring rows of casuarina trees, seagulls, and turtles.
By the late 20th century, with the development of the coastal sand mining industry, sand was pumped onto the shore, leading to a reduction in the sandbar’s area. Shortly thereafter, local authorities implemented strict controls on sand mining, helping restore the area to its former state.
In 2017, a video featuring a group of tourists titled “Fishbone Sandbar” became a “phenomenon” on social media, garnering an enormous number of views. Since then, this location has gradually turned into a tourist hotspot. The local government has also invested in transforming the nearby fishing village into a tourist area.
There is a sign here that informs visitors of the tide schedules throughout the year. Typically, the fishbone sandbar is visible for about two hours each day.
Sign indicating tide times throughout the year. (Photo: Trip).
To get here, visitors can take a boat or canoe, wait for the tide to go out, and then walk to the beach for photos. The tide schedule sign helps tourists determine the best time for photography.
This location also features kite-flying activities on the beach, which many visitors enjoy. Additionally, there are various fresh seafood dining options available at reasonable prices, thanks to the local fishing village’s businesses.
