Do you have your bikini and boardshorts ready for a relaxing summer holiday? For those who don't want to travel too far, there are some breathtaking islands inside Guangdong for you to enjoy sun, sand and sea.

Hailing Island in Yangjiang

Hailing Island

Hailing Island in Yangjiang City in southwestern Guangdong has a 7.4-kilometre stretch of silver beach. With a silver beach, clear water and breathtaking scenery, it has been listed one of the "Top 10 Most Beautiful Islands in China" by China National Geography magazine.

There is also a crystal palace on the island, which is a museum for the Guangdong section of the ancient Silk Road, an extensive network of trade routes across the Asian continent.

June is the best time for seafood there or beat out to sea with the local fishermen.

Transport: Buses depart for Yangjiang Bus Station from most city bus stations. Then take a bus to Hailing Island. The trip takes about five hours.

Accommodation: There is a choice of hotels in Yangjiang where a standard room costs less than 200 yuan (USD29) per night. Or stay at Bitaoyuan Holiday Apartments where there are excellent sea views but the cost is less than 100 yuan per person per night.

Cuisine: There is a long list of seafood dishes available and shrimp cakes and barbecue seafood are especially popular.

Shangchuan and Xiachuan islands in Taishan

Shangchuan Island

With a reputation as the Hawaii of the East and Chinese Phuket Island, Xiachuan Island in Taishan City has 14 small islands, beaches, a coconut grove, caves, virgin forests and a long list of flowers and animals.

Shangchuan Island in Taishan City is the largest island in Guangdong. Get up early and walk along the beach. Smell the fresh air and listen to the murmur of the waves. Feel the comfortable radiance of the sun on your face while the cool rush of seawater draws the sand from between your toes.

Sightseeing, sunbathing, swimming, surfing, fishing and feasting on seafood are all pleasant ways to forget the hustle and bustle of big cities.

Transport: Buses depart for Taishan from most city bus stations and take about two hours. Then take a ferry to the islands.

Accommodation: There are plenty of hotels in Taishan and also beach cottages and camping sites for rent at around 100 yuan.

Cuisine: There are nearly 100 varieties of seafood on the islands. Seafood streets dot the beaches. Choose live seafood and select the method of cooking. Prices are reasonable.