Shangchuan Island

Flying Sand Beach (飞沙滩) on the eastern coast of Shangchuan Island.

Shangchuan Island (Chinese: 上川岛; pinyin: Shàngchuāndǎo, also known as "Schangschwan", "Sancian", "Sanchão", "Chang-Chuang", "St. John's Island" or "St John Island"[1]) is the main island of Chuanshan Archipelago on the southern coast of Guangdong, China.

Administratively, it is a part of Chuandao (川岛镇), Taishan. Located 14 kilometers (8.7 mi) from the mainland, it became the largest island in Guangdong after Hainan Island (the largest island in the country) was carved out of the province in 1988.

The area of the island is 139.87 square kilometers (54.00 sq mi), and has a population of 16,320.

It is known for having been the place of death of St. Francis Xavier. Nowadays, it is a tourist site in Guangdong.

  1. ^ "NF 49-12 CH'IH-CH'I" (in English and Chinese). Washington, D. C.: Army Map Service. 1954 – via Perry–Castañeda Library Map Collection. SHANG-CH'UAN (ST JOHN ISLAND) 上川