Scuba diving locations in People's Republic of China:

• In Hainan Island, at the very southern tip of China, diving is available year round and boasts some nice corals and fish. The most popular spots are around Sanya and Yalong bay in the south, but the Seven Straits Islands in the north offers some good diving.
• The underwater section of the Great Wall of China was flooded by the government in 1981 to resolve water shortages in Tian Jin. It now lies at around 20 meters down.
• Qiandao Lake, at the foot of Wushi mountain, holds the 1800 year-old submerged Shi Cheng (Lion City) that was sacrificed for the 1959 Xin'an River hydro electric project.

When to scuba dive in People's Republic of China:

In the south, the water temperature stays around 24°C or above, but the coastal areas may be subject to typhoons. Hainan island, like a lot of China's coast, is still quite developed, so visibility can be affected by too much traffic in the waters. For Qiandao Lake, April to October is best with visibility good in the beginning of the dive season, April to June.

Local standards for gear:

The best scuba diving spots in People's Republic of China:

The best snorkeling spots in People's Republic of China:

Around Sanya and Yalong Bay in Hainan, off beautiful white sand beaches. Just be prepared for the crowds and their lack of respect for nature.

Fun scuba Facts:

Country data:

Administrative details

• Currency: Chinese yuan (renminbi) (CNY)
• Population: is about 1,340,000,000 (2010)
• Time Zone: China Standard Time (GMT+8)
• Main languages spoken: Mandarin, Cantonese around Hong Kong, regional dialects.

Chinese diving federations:

CHINESE UNDERWATER ASSOCIATION (CUA) is a member of Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques (CMAS)

Local diving laws and regulations (and PADI-equivalent certifications):

Some dive operators tend to be quite lax in safety and equipment maintenance