Tree Island, West Sand, North, Middle, South Islands, and the Three Sisters, Xuande Islands, Amphitrite Group, Paracel Islands
Updated: August 29, 2024
The north central Paracel Islands, called the Amphitrite Group, are 13.7 miles long (hypotenuse of the imaginary triangle) with one reef that is 11 miles long and shaped like an old fashioned telephone handset with eight discrete islands that show evidence of sand, vegetation and human habitation. These are islands in development with docks, a few buildings, and what looks like plans for more building. These are all islands for fishing boats.
The Chinese have a few names for this group of islands in an arc, because they are the closest inhabited islands in the Paracel Islands with fresh water wells. These are the first islands that traditional Chinese fisherman would visit. They are called the upper seven islands, or Shang Zhi / The Upper Stand-Off, or Xuande Islands. Source Liu, L. The Fishermen...2021 DOI Link. The last islands on that reef are The Three Sisters, then due south is Woody and Rocky Islands, which is a full, military island.
We mark the first island at this location. Location: 16°57'23"N 112°16’10”E The first or most Northeast island is 165.4 miles Southeast of Nanyanh, Hainan, China. Location of the first island is: 17°02'18"N 112°05’08"E. Two of these islands appear on NGA Nautical Chart 508, West Sand and Tree Island. We believe those are the first two islands we analyze.
We analyze each of these islands going from Northwest to Southeast below. Woody / Rocky Island is discussed on another webpage.
The north central Paracel Islands, called the Amphitrite Group, are 13.7 miles long (hypotenuse of the imaginary triangle) with one reef that is 11 miles long and shaped like an old fashioned telephone handset with eight discrete islands that show evidence of sand, vegetation and human habitation. These are islands in development with docks, a few buildings, and what looks like plans for more building. These are all islands for fishing boats.
The Chinese have a few names for this group of islands in an arc, because they are the closest inhabited islands in the Paracel Islands with fresh water wells. These are the first islands that traditional Chinese fisherman would visit. They are called the upper seven islands, or Shang Zhi / The Upper Stand-Off, or Xuande Islands. Source Liu, L. The Fishermen...2021 DOI Link. The last islands on that reef are The Three Sisters, then due south is Woody and Rocky Islands, which is a full, military island.
We mark the first island at this location. Location: 16°57'23"N 112°16’10”E The first or most Northeast island is 165.4 miles Southeast of Nanyanh, Hainan, China. Location of the first island is: 17°02'18"N 112°05’08"E. Two of these islands appear on NGA Nautical Chart 508, West Sand and Tree Island. We believe those are the first two islands we analyze.
We analyze each of these islands going from Northwest to Southeast below. Woody / Rocky Island is discussed on another webpage.
West Sand, Qilianyu, China
West Sand, Xisha Zhou in Chinese, Con Cat Tay in Vietnamese, is administered by PRC and receiving investment to grow trees on the island. This island is also claimed by ROC and Vietnam.Satellite imagery 5/9/2023 and location: 16°58'46"N 112°12'25"E.
West Sand has buildings, a square foundation, and what looks to be a road system etched into the sand.It has groupings of trees, is approachable from the west by sea, and we see a channel being dug into the coral to the north, but was not completed in the satellite imagery.
West Sand, Xisha Zhou in Chinese, Con Cat Tay in Vietnamese, is administered by PRC and receiving investment to grow trees on the island. This island is also claimed by ROC and Vietnam.Satellite imagery 5/9/2023 and location: 16°58'46"N 112°12'25"E.
West Sand has buildings, a square foundation, and what looks to be a road system etched into the sand.It has groupings of trees, is approachable from the west by sea, and we see a channel being dug into the coral to the north, but was not completed in the satellite imagery.
West Sand, Amphitrite Group, Google Earth, 5/9/2023 satellite imagery.
Tree Island, Qilianyu, China
Tree Island, also known as Zhaoshu Island, Zhaoshu Dao, and Shu Dao in Chinese, and Dao Cay in Vietnamese. The island is administered by the PRC, although it is also claimed by the ROC and Vietnam.
Island two is about 3.3 miles west of West Sand, and is more developed with a visible athletic field, helicopter pad, and large sets of buildings around a central square. The entire east side of the island is an empty field.
There appears to be administrative buildings, buildings with copper roofs, solar panels and two windmills for electricity, and what could be attached housing. There is a group of 48 houses (more like townhomes) and larger buildings around a park and circle. We see a large building that reminds me of a Chinese religious Buddist temple (don't ask how I know that), but it looks to be unfinished inside (courtyards look messy, construction crane). We see two solar farms and a two windmills to the north of the island. Somehow, this looks to be an eco-friendly vacation island.
There is a large protected harbor that looks deep and dredged. Location. 16°58'40"N 112°16’12”E. Satellite imagery from 5/9/2023.
According to Wikipedia, the island is open to tourists and is accessible by hiring a fishing boat from Hainan, Chiuna.
We see many ships currently docked, and smaller ships on shore, likely for fishing. There are many trees planted on the island. There is a road around the island that looks great for jogging.
Tree Island, also known as Zhaoshu Island, Zhaoshu Dao, and Shu Dao in Chinese, and Dao Cay in Vietnamese. The island is administered by the PRC, although it is also claimed by the ROC and Vietnam.
Island two is about 3.3 miles west of West Sand, and is more developed with a visible athletic field, helicopter pad, and large sets of buildings around a central square. The entire east side of the island is an empty field.
There appears to be administrative buildings, buildings with copper roofs, solar panels and two windmills for electricity, and what could be attached housing. There is a group of 48 houses (more like townhomes) and larger buildings around a park and circle. We see a large building that reminds me of a Chinese religious Buddist temple (don't ask how I know that), but it looks to be unfinished inside (courtyards look messy, construction crane). We see two solar farms and a two windmills to the north of the island. Somehow, this looks to be an eco-friendly vacation island.
There is a large protected harbor that looks deep and dredged. Location. 16°58'40"N 112°16’12”E. Satellite imagery from 5/9/2023.
According to Wikipedia, the island is open to tourists and is accessible by hiring a fishing boat from Hainan, Chiuna.
We see many ships currently docked, and smaller ships on shore, likely for fishing. There are many trees planted on the island. There is a road around the island that looks great for jogging.
Tree Island, 5/9/2023, Google Earth
Tree Island detail, Google Earth, 5/9/2023
We see a new island reclamation underway just east of Tree Island. Location: 16°58'25"N 112°17'22"E
New island reclamation, just east of Tree Island, Google Earth 5/9/2023
North Island, China
Island three, four, five, six and seven look the same as each other, without any visible man-made structures.
According to Wikipedia, these are known as the Qilian Yu sub-group, or the Seven Sisters. There are second islands or small reclamations south and east of Tree island that make up the rest of Amphitrite.
Island Three, below, is named North Island. In Chinese, it is called Changzhi, chang because it is long and zhi because it stays above water during high tide. We read in Liu, L, 2021 cited above, of similar naming: Yuanzhi is an oval island, Weizhi for an island at the outer end. The numbering system for islands, say Big Island 1, 2 and 3 are numbered in order from north to south.
Notice that it has a helipad, and a few buildings on the east side of the island. That is where boats dock.
Island three, four, five, six and seven look the same as each other, without any visible man-made structures.
According to Wikipedia, these are known as the Qilian Yu sub-group, or the Seven Sisters. There are second islands or small reclamations south and east of Tree island that make up the rest of Amphitrite.
Island Three, below, is named North Island. In Chinese, it is called Changzhi, chang because it is long and zhi because it stays above water during high tide. We read in Liu, L, 2021 cited above, of similar naming: Yuanzhi is an oval island, Weizhi for an island at the outer end. The numbering system for islands, say Big Island 1, 2 and 3 are numbered in order from north to south.
Notice that it has a helipad, and a few buildings on the east side of the island. That is where boats dock.
North Island, Google Earth, 5/9/2023
Island Four, below, is named Middle Island. There are two visible, man-made formations on the north end of the island.
Middle Island, Google Earth, 5/9/2023
Island Five below is named South Island. We see one man-made formation on the island, possibly a house.
South Island, Google Earth, 5/9/2023
The Three Sisters, China
These three sisters, that make up Islands six, seven and eight are named North Sand, Middle Sand and South Sand (Nanshazhou). Google Earth satellite imagery continues to be 5/9/2023.
These three sisters, that make up Islands six, seven and eight are named North Sand, Middle Sand and South Sand (Nanshazhou). Google Earth satellite imagery continues to be 5/9/2023.
The Three Sisters, Google Earth, 5/9/2023
Island eight is interesting. It has greenery and sandy parts, with a few man-made structures on the Eastern side of the island. Location 16°55'45"N 112°20’45”E. Satellite imagery was taken 5/9/2023.
Island nine is just south of island eight, and is small and sandy. Perhaps a new reclamation effort. There are two of these sandy spits below Island Eight.
Island nine is just south of island eight, and is small and sandy. Perhaps a new reclamation effort. There are two of these sandy spits below Island Eight.
South Sand, largest of the Three Sisters, Google Earth 5/9/2023
Island 9, South of South Sand, Google Earth, 5/9/2023. Looks like a new reclamation.
Area
Name 1
Nearest Land
Distance from Land (miles)
Location (latitude & longitude)
Diameter (miles)
Date of Satellite Imagery
Airport Present?
Helipad Present?
Port / Dock Facility Present?
Buildings Present?
Defensive Infrastructure Present?
Athletic Facilities Present?
Hospital Present?
Sand Only Island?
Dredging Infrastructure Only?
Paracel Islands
Northeast Corner (reef with 9 islands)
China
165.4
17°02'18"N 112°05'08"E
11
5/9/2023
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Maybe
Yes
Not Sure
No
No
Name 1
Nearest Land
Distance from Land (miles)
Location (latitude & longitude)
Diameter (miles)
Date of Satellite Imagery
Airport Present?
Helipad Present?
Port / Dock Facility Present?
Buildings Present?
Defensive Infrastructure Present?
Athletic Facilities Present?
Hospital Present?
Sand Only Island?
Dredging Infrastructure Only?
Paracel Islands
Northeast Corner (reef with 9 islands)
China
165.4
17°02'18"N 112°05'08"E
11
5/9/2023
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Maybe
Yes
Not Sure
No
No