Flying over Guishan Island, Zhuhai | Tanka Fireworks, Lighthouse Guardians, and Maritime Pastoral

Guishan Island, located in the Wanshan Archipelago of the Lingdingyang, Pearl River Estuary, is the heart of Guishan Town, Zhuhai City, Guangdong Province. Once known as "Garbage Tail Island," it was renamed in honor of the heroic deeds of the martyrs of the "Guishan" during the 1954 Battle of the Liberation of the Wanshan Islands. Today, it serves as both a red education base and a coastal pearl in Guangdong's "100 Counties, 1,000 Towns, 10,000 Villages" project. The island blends fishing village charm, historical culture, and ecological beauty—colorful fishing boats, towering lighthouses, winding coastal roads, and the Wanshan fishing grounds, one of the six largest in China, making it a paradise for aerial photography enthusiasts. 🌟Capturing the Soul of Guishan Island with Aerial Photography 1⃣ Tanka Life: The Buzz of a Floating City at Sea The mornings on Guishan Island belong to the fishermen. As dawn breaks, the pier is already bustling with activity: the roar of fishing boat engines, the rustling of fishing nets being cast, and the hawking of seafood create a unique "maritime symphony." ✅Aerial Photography Recommendations: Bird's-eye view of the fishing port: From high above, fishing boats resemble scattered colorful building blocks, swaying gently with the waves. Fishing nets spread out on the decks like spiderwebs, and the figures of fishermen bending over to sort their catch add dynamic touches to the scene. Close-up on the details of life: Lower the drone's altitude to capture the rough hands of fishermen mending nets, the silvery scales of fish drying on bamboo trays, or the wisps of smoke curling up from a Tanka woman cooking on the bow of a boat. 2⃣ Lighthouse Guardians: "Guides" and "Storytellers" of the Sea Guishan Island boasts two iconic lighthouses—"Guishan Lighthouse" and "Lighthouse No. 1." The former, a white cylindrical structure built in 1953, illuminates the waterway like a pearl at night. The latter, with its red and blue color scheme, has become a popular check-in spot, especially at sunset when the glow of the setting sun gilds the tower, creating a scene reminiscent of a Miyazaki animation. ✅Aerial Photography Tips: Golden hour at dusk: As the sun sets, hover the drone beside the lighthouse and shoot a silhouette against the light. The waves below shatter into golden flakes, and distant returning boats slowly enter the frame, adding a touch of narrative. 3⃣ Ships Setting Sail: Wind Farms and the "Ocean Highway" Guangdong's first offshore wind farm stands in the waters west of Guishan Island. The 90-meter-high white wind turbines resemble the arms of giants, contrasting sharply with the cargo ships and fishing boats that navigate among them. ✅Aerial Photography Highlights: Wind turbine matrix: From a high altitude, shoot vertically downwards. The wind turbines form a geometric pattern, with ships trailing long wakes as they pass through, like Lego toys moving on a chessboard. 4⃣ Other Must-Shoot Scenes ✅Guishan Warship Memorial Park: The coastal boardwalk winds along the cliffs. Fly the drone along the cliff face to capture the dynamic waves crashing against the rocks, with the cliff inscription "Guishan Warship Landing Point" in the background, a collision of history and natural forces. ✅Wen Tianxiang Square: The 5.5-meter-high statue of Wen Tianxiang faces the sea. Use the statue as the foreground in your aerial shot, incorporating the scattered fish rafts in the background. Wait for a speedboat to cross the water, leaving a white, ribbon-like trail. ✨Practical Guide 🚇Transportation: Take a 1-hour direct ferry from Zhuhai Xiangzhou Port (multiple departures daily), or depart from Guangzhou Nansha Passenger Port, a 90-minute journey via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. 💒Accommodation: We recommend the "Yuehai Pavilion Homestay" with its panoramic sea-facing glass windows, or the "Shanhaijian Hotel," a 3-minute walk from the pier, ideal for capturing the sunrise. ❗️Important Notes: The island is windy, so ensure your drone has a wind resistance rating of at least level 5. Avoid flying over military control zones. Respect the privacy of fishermen; offer a smile before filming. The fishermen's life on Guishan Island is not a performative "cultural display," but a real, day-to-day struggle with the sea. Through aerial photography, you'll understand why the Tanka people call their boats "Tanka homes"—their homes are in the waves, in the halo of the lighthouse, and in every net full of bounty. Maintain a respectful distance when filming Tanka life, and avoid pointing the camera directly at people's faces. Next time you visit, bring a pack of cigarettes to share with the old fishermen at the pier, and in return, you'll hear island tales far more vivid than any official guide. Tip: Want to capture the spectacle of a large-scale fishing fleet setting sail? On the first day after the end of the fishing moratorium each August, nearly a hundred fishing boats set off together, a scene comparable to a maritime marathon!