Related readings:  A lake carved by volcanic gushes

Zhanjiang sits on the Leizhou Peninsula that juts out into the South China Sea as if to touch Hainan Island. It is only natural it should have an extended marina that serves as the soul of the city.

The waterfront green belt starts at the north with Fishermen's Harbor, a park with 20 hectares of palm trees, meadows, lagoons and meandering trails. Even though you can freely access the park and its facilities from anywhere, there is a formal entrance with a sculpture of three fishermen dragging a sampan out of furious seawater.

Echoing this visual theme are remnants of real sampans stuck in the sand. Not far are docked modern ships that can withstand storms of any severity. In between are lovers strolling on the beach and swimmers frolicking in the shallow water.

Fishermen's Harbor is a great place for people watching. It's a favorite hangout for players of badminton or beach volleyball. Kids have their own playground. And soon-to-be brides and bridegrooms shoot their elaborate wedding photos using the picturesque settings.

A bell tower and a lighthouse were constructed for aesthetic reasons. Across the street are high-rise buildings that emit so much light that no ship would ever have the fear of running aground.

Take a leisurely stroll along the strip of marina southward, and half an hour later you'll be arriving at Oceanside Park. It is eight hectares of subtropical flora with 35 varieties of plants.

At the entrance square is a colonnade with 20 columns with marble relief on top. The floor of the square has a mosaic that uses red, brown and gray to form a map of the world. It marks Zhanjiang and nine other international ports. Local people call the place their city's "parlor".