Located in Shenzhen, Dameisha is notorious for its overcrowding, even compared to other crowded beaches in China. The 1.8-kilometer stretch of sand can become a "sea of people" on weekends, to the point that authorities have to limit the number of visitors allowed on the beach.
The level of crowding at Dameisha during the summer months can be somewhat gauged by reviews on platforms like TripAdvisor. Some frustrated visitors have reported that they couldn't even get close to the water because the beach was so packed with people.
As a public beach, Dameisha is, in principle, open to everyone. However, in recent years, the Shenzhen authorities have limited the number of visitors to 80,000 per day from May to October to control overcrowding. Visitors also have to make reservations in advance through a mandatory registration system to gain access to the beach on their intended day.
80,000 people is a significant number, but Dameisha has at times welcomed up to 200,000 people at the same time. At those times, getting around on the beach became difficult, let alone finding a spot to sunbathe or swim.
It's worth noting that the convenience of public transport also contributes to Dameisha's constant overcrowding. Numerous bus routes run to the area, while a subway station is located right in front of the beach. Combined with the fact that there's no entrance fee, Dameisha has become a particularly popular destination, attracting both locals and tourists.
Despite receiving numerous negative reviews on TripAdvisor and other online platforms, Dameisha remains packed with tourists every summer. Photos capturing tens of thousands of people crowding the beach are frequently shared and quickly go viral online.