Ask a cab driver to take you to yintan and there will be no confusion. You will end up in front of the entrance to a bridge over a natural harbour. On the other side is a spit of land. These days this is where most tourists head along with most hawkers. Soft white sands soothe city worn feet. The safe waters lap at a pleasant 23 degrees Celsius average. This is the beach with the most facilities; changing rooms, shops, restaurants, boat trips and dune buggies.

About 300 metres away is another beach in front of Seaside Park (hai tan gong yuan), dominated by the 20 metre diameter spherical chao (tide) sculpture. Symbolising a big pearl protected by seven naked maidens it forms the centrepiece of a music fountain. Although technically still Silver Beach it has a very different character. Popular around a decade ago most of the action has now moved on to the east. As a result the beach gets far few visitors but has many of the same facilities such as changing rooms and stalls.

Unfortunately I do not have a digital version of this article.