Xiaomeisha Beach
小梅沙The verdict
A smart upgrade over Dameisha if you want a managed, comfortable beach day and don't mind paying 50 RMB — especially with kids or on a weekend. The fee genuinely filters the crowds.
Perfect for
- ✓ Families who want clean facilities and consistent lifeguards
- ✓ Weekend visitors who want to avoid Dameisha's chaos
- ✓ Couples who like a resort atmosphere
- ✓ Anyone combining with OCT East
Not for
- ✗ Budget travellers (50 RMB entry + resort-priced food adds up)
- ✗ People seeking a wild, natural beach
- ✗ Anyone whose plan is 'walk in, swim, leave' in under an hour
Editor's field note · Verified July 2026
Visited on a Sunday in July when Dameisha (a 10-min taxi away) was gridlocked: Xiaomeisha was busy but functional — queues of 5 minutes, clean air-conditioned changing rooms, lifeguards visible. Takeaway: the 50 RMB is crowd-control insurance and it works.
Overview
Xiaomeisha Beach (小梅沙, literally Little Meisha) is Dameisha's more polished, resort-oriented sibling. Located just 2 kilometers east of Dameisha on the same stretch of coastline, Xiaomeisha has been developed into a managed resort beach with entry fees, maintained facilities, and a more controlled environment. Where Dameisha is free, public, and often chaotic, Xiaomeisha is paid, managed, and — crucially — less crowded.
The beach is about 800 meters of decent yellow sand, backed by a landscaped promenade and several resort hotels. The water quality is comparable to Dameisha (Grade II), but the beach itself is better maintained — sand is cleaned regularly, facilities are modern, and lifeguard coverage is consistent during the summer season. The entry fee (50 RMB) acts as a natural crowd filter, keeping numbers manageable even on summer weekends.
Xiaomeisha has positioned itself as a premium day-trip destination. Visitors pay for entry and in return get access to clean showers, changing rooms, lockers, umbrella rentals, and several beachside food options — essentially a turnkey beach experience. The adjacent Xiaomeisha Resort (小梅沙度假村) offers hotel rooms with beach access, swimming pools, and restaurants, making it one of the few places in Shenzhen where you can stay directly on the beach.
The beach is particularly popular with families who want facilities and safety without the extreme crowds of Dameisha, and with groups who want a hassle-free beach day where everything is provided. It is also the most accessible resort beach in Shenzhen — Metro Line 8 serves both Dameisha and Xiaomeisha, making it reachable without a car. For visitors who want a beach day with showers, food, and a cold drink within arm's reach, Xiaomeisha delivers reliably.
How to Plan Your Day
A concrete plan for Xiaomeisha, based on our visits. Start 9:30 AM on weekdays; 9:00 AM on weekends to get a good lounger. The metro from downtown is ~50 minutes.
Half-day plan (4-5 hours)
- 1Metro Line 8 to Exit B, 15 min walk (or starting-fare taxi) through the resort complex.
- 2Pay entry, shower-free into swim gear, claim two loungers near the headland end.
- 3Swim laps in the calm, protected bay — the calmest water of all Shenzhen beaches.
- 4Lunch at the InterContinental poolside grill or a beachside bar, then leave by 3 PM.
Full-day plan (7+ hours)
- 1Morning as the half-day plan, then a swim-and-lunch rhythm.
- 2Afternoon: poolside at the resort (day pass holders) or a nap under the umbrella.
- 3Late afternoon: OCT East cable cars, 10 min taxi up the hill.
- 4Dinner at the Sea World food courts before the metro home.
Avoiding the crowds
The entry fee already filters most weekend crowds, but the resort bars get busy from noon. Weekdays in September are the sweet spot — near-empty sun loungers and warm water.
Money tip
50 RMB entry, ~10 RMB metro, 30 RMB locker. If you want a cheaper trip, Dameisha is free — you're paying the fee mainly for fewer people and better showers.
Plan Your Trip to Xiaomeisha
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Packing Checklist
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Day-Cost Estimator
Approximate total per person for one day.
How Xiaomeisha Compares to Its Rivals
The beaches visitors most often weigh against Xiaomeisha — and which one to pick in each situation.
The neighbouring free beach — arguably the single most useful comparison on this site.
Choose Xiaomeisha when
You want the 50 RMB entry to buy calm, clean showers, and a managed day.
Choose Dameisha when
You want the bigger beach, free entry, and don't mind rougher edges.
The other 'managed resort beach' option, but on the far side of the peninsula.
Choose Xiaomeisha when
You want metro access and a shorter trip from the city centre.
Choose Jinshawan when
You want a beach bar, day passes with pool access (200-400 RMB), and don't mind the longer drive.
How to Get to Xiaomeisha Beach
- Metro
- Line 8
- Metro Exit
- Exit B
- Metro Walk
- 15 min walk or short taxi (starting fare)
- Bus
- 103, 387, M362, M438
- Taxi from Futian
- ~90 RMB (45 min)
- Taxi from Luohu
- ~60 RMB (30 min)
- Taxi from Nanshan
- ~120 RMB (55 min)
- Driving
- 35-45 min from city center
- Parking
- Resort parking, ~30 RMB/day. More spaces than Dameisha. Underground parking available at InterContinental.
Food & Dining
At the Beach
Resort cafes and beach bars serving Western and Chinese food. InterContinental resort has multiple restaurants (Chinese, international buffet, poolside grill). Beach vendors sell drinks, ice cream, and light snacks.
Nearby
Xiaomeisha commercial area (5 min walk) has more restaurants. Sea World complex has food courts and cafes. Dameisha's restaurant strip is 10 min walk away.
What to Try
Poolside cocktails at the InterContinental. Resort dim sum brunch on weekends. Fresh coconut by the beach.
Price range: Beach snacks: 20-60 RMB. Resort restaurant: 150-400 RMB per person. InterContinental buffet: ~300 RMB per person.
Where to Stay
Xiaomeisha Resort (4-star, from ~500 RMB/night, direct beach access, pool, multiple restaurants). Several mid-range hotels within walking distance. For budget options, Dameisha area (Metro one stop away) has guesthouses from 150 RMB/night. The Sheraton Dameisha (5-star, from ~800 RMB/night) is a 5-minute taxi ride.
Camping
Not permitted at Xiaomeisha.
Price range: Resort: 500-1000 RMB/night. Nearby hotel: 300-600 RMB/night. Guesthouse (Dameisha area): 150-300 RMB/night.
What to Wear & Bring
Summer (May-Oct)
Swimsuit, cover-up for walking between beach and resort. Resort dress code is casual but not beachwear in restaurants. Flip-flops fine for beach, sandals or casual shoes for resort areas.
Winter (Nov-Apr)
Light layers. Resort areas are well-sheltered from wind. Heated pools at some resorts extend the swimming season.
Packing Checklist
- ✓ Sunscreen
- ✓ Swimsuit
- ✓ Cover-up or light dress for resort areas
- ✓ Phone/camera (safe environment for valuables)
- ✓ Cash or mobile payment for beach vendors
- ✓ Resort day pass if not staying overnight
Facilities
- Showers
- Included with entry fee
- Lockers
- 30 RMB
- Umbrellas/Chairs
- 80 RMB/day (resort quality)
- Lifeguards
- 09:00-21:00 (summer), well-staffed
- Food/Drinks
- Resort restaurants, cafes, snack bars. Higher quality than Dameisha.
- Restrooms
- Clean, well-maintained, resort-standard
- Changing Rooms
- Air-conditioned, included with entry
- First Aid
- On-site medical station
Beach Features
- Sand Type
- Fine white sand, well-maintained and raked daily, ~800m long
- Water Quality
- Grade II (regularly tested, good consistency)
- Wave Type
- Gentle, very protected bay. Calmest of all Shenzhen beaches.
- Best Season
- Year-round, best May-October for swimming
- Swimming Zone
- Well-marked swimming areas. Multiple lifeguard stations.
When to Avoid
Summer weekends (Jul-Aug) — while less crowded than Dameisha, it still fills up. Golden Week — the entry fee does not deter holiday crowds. Rainy season (May-Jun) — the experience is diminished when you cannot enjoy the outdoor facilities.
Things to Do
Resort Beach Day
Pay the 50 RMB entry and enjoy a managed beach with all facilities. Sun loungers, umbrellas, showers, and food service all available. The most hassle-free beach experience in Shenzhen.
Swimming
Designated swimming area with consistent lifeguard coverage during summer (9 AM to 9 PM). Gentle waves in a protected bay — good for casual swimmers and families.
Beachside Dining
Several casual restaurants and snack bars directly on the beach promenade. No need to pack food — everything from fresh coconut water to full seafood dinners is available.
Nearby OCT East
The massive OCT East theme park (东部华侨城) is a 10-minute taxi ride uphill. Water park, tea valley, cable cars, and European-themed villages make for a full day trip combined with the beach.
Safety
Best Time to Visit
Xiaomeisha Beach (小梅沙) offers ideal conditions during Year-round, best May-October for swimming.
Photo Spots
The landscaped promenade at sunset — palm trees and the bay in golden light. The resort pool area with the beach in the background. The beach at low tide when the wet sand creates reflection opportunities. The boardwalk looking back toward the hotels.
History & Background
Xiaomeisha was developed as Shenzhen's first managed beach resort in the 1990s, predating the broader Dapeng tourism boom. It was originally conceived as an upscale alternative to the free public beach at Dameisha, targeting visitors willing to pay for a more controlled and comfortable experience. The resort hotel complex expanded in the 2010s alongside the Metro Line 8 extension.
Visitor Tips
- • Pay the entry fee — the crowd filter alone is worth 50 RMB on a summer weekend
- • Metro Line 8 stops nearby — the only resort beach with metro access in Shenzhen
- • Combine with OCT East theme park (10 min taxi) for a two-day weekend trip
- • Arrive before 10 AM on summer weekends for the best lounger spots