Easing off at China Beach

Sunrise at China Beach

Sunrise at China Beach

With our expedition of Central Vietnam nearing its end, after all the potpourri of sights, sounds, and tastes that invaded our senses in this whirlwind exploration, I was really looking forward in having a relaxing climax on this journey. So when I made the itinerary for this trip, I made sure we had a downtime at China Beach in Danang.

Nguyen Highway

Nguyen Highway

We passed this area several times to and fro cities but managed to elude the call of the waves. The place really reminded me of Baywalk in Manila but with an added long stretch of beach. There are stalls there by the beach which sells some snacks and drinks and they would offer you their beach chairs as long as you buy from their stall.

China Beach Crowd on a weekend

China Beach Crowd on a weekend

Twenty or so years ago, this site used to be a rest and recreation area for the American soldiers during the Vietnam War. So it’s a sight of where soldiers are being airlifted, and soldiers surfing and treading its long stretch of light golden sand beach. There was even a China Beach hit TV series back in the 80’s which I must admit I can’t seem to remember seeing. But I do remember a series on Amazing Race before where Zack and Floe were having a hard time navigating those round boats and Floe kept on complaining and crying.

Vietnam's Round boats

Vietnam’s Round boats

This is quite a peculiar beach. We got here in the afternoon on a weekend and we were greeted by hordes of people that almost filled the whole shore stretch of beach. I could swear the whole population in China is there! I guess the whole lot of people from Danang is here to pass time since this is so close to the city. I had a mental note not to visit the place on a weekend.

China Beach crowd

China Beach crowd

We took some of the chairs being offered and had some drinks to freshen up. I could hardly get a good picture with the entire crowd though. Still I think I manage to relax a bit. I decided to swim and started heading towards the beach, it was low tide then so I had to go further and the water was cold as it was nearing night time. I think, I swam a bit for a few minutes and when I was already enjoying the water, I started hearing whistles all around. Is there an emergency nearby? Someone drowning? I looked around to see a man on one of those round boats whistleling and seem to signal everyone to go back to the shore. Why? I thought. Couldn’t understand some of the conversations but then I heard somewhere that the beach is already closed! Closed? Ok. This is a first for me, a beach getting closed.

Low sun riders

Low Sun Riders

I joined the others heading back. That really severed my fun but I guess it was safety measures as well. This beach is so accessible that even children unnoticed could dive in. Anyways the morning at the beach next day was more scenic with the sunrise, less crowd and a lot of people into several activities like jogging, exercises and yoga.

That’s the end of the line for our Central Vietnam trip. Shortly that morning we headed to the airport which is less than an hour from the beach. As we flew back to Singapore, I looked at the land below and I can’t help but say to myself “Cam on for a wonderful time!”

Tags: Beach, China Beach, Danang, Vietnam

outdoorexposure Says:
October 26th, 2006 at 4:05 am

the sunrise shot is beautiful…amazing clouds and colors:-)) look like a popular beach..pack of people:-) thanks for sharing a wonderful trip…alwyas enjoy visiting here:-))

jhenny Says:
October 26th, 2006 at 8:55 am

wow! as usual nice shots! i really like the first pic

hay sarap mag-beach… sana summer na dito

eric Says:
October 26th, 2006 at 12:55 pm

WOW!!! That very first sunset at the beach shot is AWESOME!

Based on your pictures, I can tell you had a wonderful Vietnam trip!

lino Says:
October 26th, 2006 at 2:54 pm

wow, great firsr shot… the texture of the clouds added a more highlight to the pic…

lagal[og] Says:
October 26th, 2006 at 4:32 pm

ano aperture mo sa first shot mo? ganda ng pagkaka-lowlight capture ferdz. kaka-engganyo maglakad sa beach, humimlay sa tabing dagat at panooring lumubog ang araw

eden Says:
October 26th, 2006 at 9:01 pm

fabulous shot yung una !

and what a great travel for you

kind regards…

iskoo Says:
October 27th, 2006 at 8:08 am

napansin ko yung 4th picturem kakaiba yung boat, ginagamit ba yun? vietnam na vietnam ang dating boat parang salakot.

sana yung baywalk natin pwede rin liguan na katulad dyan. i have this mental note that i like to jump and swim at this very moment.. hehe

rayts Says:
October 27th, 2006 at 3:39 pm

what a way to end a journey. there’s this sense of nostalgia everytime i leave a place. there’s always this idea that i might not never go back to that same spot again. and everytime i leave a place, a piece goes with it.

so where’s your next trip?

karina Says:
October 27th, 2006 at 3:46 pm

hi! thanks for the comment. i wud certainly buy the book.

PS. you’re blog is awesome!

Dominique Says:
October 27th, 2006 at 7:25 pm

Thanks for visiting my site, and for the compliment. (Your site design is simply stunning, as are the photos.) I echo Karina in saying your blog is AWESOME!

Toe Says:
October 27th, 2006 at 10:00 pm

OMG! I’m so glad you dropped by my blog… so that I could discover your blog! It is soooo amazing! Your pictures are just the best. Now I want to go to Central Vietnam…. have only been to Ho Chi Minh which I liked.

Yeah I remember that episode where Flo kept on complaining. I was really disappointed that they won.

wilfredo pascual Says:
October 28th, 2006 at 11:43 am

hi ferdz, glad to be visited by another cordillera traveler and that my account caught your interest. thank you for sharing your wonderful pictures in central vietnam. spent a romantic winter there in northern vietnam a few years ago and i enjoyed it very much. your blog design is awesome; i too am fascinated by navigation in the old world. and you have depicted it in fresh, brilliant colors. best to you and your travels. palink na rin!