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China Walls is not to be confused with the Great Wall of China (which, by the way, can't be seen from space). Hawaii's China Walls are natural coastal formations whose name was inspired by the Great Wall. China Walls is located in East Honolulu in Hawaii and is a great place to watch the sunset. The China Walls is a rock face along the ocean front and is famous as a great place to watch the sunset over the Pacific.
With around 750 miles of coastline, Hawaii is the state with the fourth-longest coastline (after Alaska, Florida, and California). The coastlines are full of secret spots and hidden gems to explore. Hawaii and Honolulu is a rather expensive destination, and one should take care to plan the budget in advance.
Why China Walls Is Worth Visiting For Sunset
Oahu is a much older island than Hawaii's Big Island, and its fiery birth is not as visible as on Big Island. But like Big Island, Oahu has been built up layer by layer over the eons by one lava flow over the other from the bottom of the ocean floor some 6,000 meters or 20,000 feet below.
Today one can see how the island of Oahu formed at China Walls. See the various lava flows visible in layers at China Walls - the color of the rocks is almost greenish (due to the presence of the stone called Olivine).
- Height: 10-15 Feet or 3-5 Meters
The eastern tip of Oahu is some of the most recently formed parts of the island. From China Walls, one can gaze out over the Pacific and the crashing waves and watch the sun sink over the horizon.
The busy time is the summer, and it can get a little crowded. Also, note that there can be large waves rolling in during the summer. Other names used to refer to the China Walls are Portlock Point and Koko Kai Mini Beach.
Activities & What To Do At China Walls
Notwithstanding the absence of sand at China Walls, it can be a great place for sunbathing and chilling by the beach. Bring a towel (and ideally a foam mat) and lay down on any flat surface. Stay a respectable distance from the water's edge so that one doesn't get splashed by the rogue waves.
- Activities: Swimming, Snorkeling, Surfing, Body Boarding, Fishing, BBQ, Sunbathing (On The Rocks)
- Lifeguard: None
China Walls is also fun for jumping in the water from the rocks (around three meters high). Only competent swimmers should jump in the waters here - people should be aware that there is no lifeguard on duty here. Another thing to do is to have a BBQ on the rocks by the sea.
While there is little else to do at China Walls, it is one of the most spectacular places to watch brilliant sunsets. Bring a camera and a date and have a romantic evening on the seashores of Hawaii.
Explore more of the coast around the area and visit the Spitting Caves, Hanauma Bay, and hike the Koko Head Trail.
Location & Getting To China Walls
China Walls are located very close to Honolulu and Waikiki, so anyone can pop on over after work to watch the sunset. It is around a 25-minute drive from the busiest parts of Waikiki.
- Location: Koko Kai Mini Beach Park, Hanapepe Place, Honolulu
It is reported that it is not difficult to find parking on the nearby streets - just watch out where one parks to avoid a parking fine (watch out for stop signs, fire hydrants, driveways, etc.).
To get to the China Walls, one needs to follow a path down to them. There is some minor climbing, so those with mobility issues may have some difficulty along the path. There are also no amenities here - so bring everything one needs.
Take Kalanianaole Hwy 72 and turn onto Lunalilo Home Road. Take a left onto Poipu Drive and take a right onto Hanapepe Loop. Find a parking spot along this road and walk down Hanapepe Place; one will find the trail down to China Walls at the end of the street.
Visiting China Walls is one of the free things to do while in Hawaii. Take the time to explore Hawaii's dramatic coastlines outside of Waikiki Beach.