Beihai

Life in Beihai moves at a relaxed pace, and a trip can be split between the city's waterfront sights and a stay on Weizhou Island. October and November usually bring mild temperatures and fewer typhoons, making them a good time to visit.

• Beihai Silver Beach: Known for its fine white sand and often called the “finest beach under heaven,” this is a place to stroll through the shallows or watch the sunset. Visit after 4 p.m. to avoid the strongest sun.

• Weizhou Island: China's youngest volcanic island combines clear seawater with volcanic rock cliffs. You need to take a ferry to get there, and island admission costs 98 yuan. Allow at least two days for your visit.

• Guantouling: Beihai's only forest park combining mountain and coastal scenery has rocky shores, a lighthouse, and a stone inscription reading “Until the Seas Dry Up and the Rocks Crumble.” It is also a good place to watch the sunset turn the sea orange.

• Beihai Old Street: This street preserves a collection of century-old, Southeast Asian-style arcaded buildings. Explore the old architecture on foot and stop for shrimp fritters and sweet dessert soups along the way.

• Qiaogang Food Street: Popular with local diners, this area has plenty of Vietnamese rice rolls, sweet dessert soups, stir-fried ice desserts, and open-air seafood stalls. There are still plenty of dining options after dark.

• Jinhaiwan Mangroves: These coastal woodlands cover 3,000 mu, or about 200 hectares. At low tide, you can search for sea snails and catch crabs on the exposed shore. At high tide, water surrounds the trees, making the forest appear to float on the sea.

Suggested Itineraries

• 3 days, 2 nights: A relaxed city itinerary
  • Day 1: Arrive in Beihai and check into your hotel. Head to Silver Beach for sunset, then sample snacks on Qiaogang Food Street in the evening.
  • Day 2: Spend the morning walking through Beihai Old Street and admiring its arcaded buildings. Visit Guantouling in the afternoon to photograph the rocky shore, then head to Zixia Bay for the sunset colors.
  • Day 3: Explore the exposed shore at Jinhaiwan Mangroves at low tide, then shop for local specialties before heading home at an easy pace.
• 5 days, 4 nights: Beihai and Weizhou Island
  • Day 1-2: Explore Beihai, including Silver Beach, Old Street, and Qiaogang.
  • Day 3: Take a morning ferry to Weizhou Island, a journey of about 70 minutes. Check into your guesthouse, then spend the afternoon at Shiluokou or Dishui Danping and stay for sunset.
  • Day 4: Cycle around the island, visiting Crocodile Hill Volcano Park, the Catholic Church, and Blue Bridge in that order. Have seafood on Nanwan Street in the evening.
  • Day 5: Watch the sunrise at Wucai Beach, then take the ferry back to Beihai to finish your trip.

Where to Eat

Local food centers on seafood, Vietnamese-style dishes, and sweet dessert soups, with generally affordable prices.

• Yuexiang Xiaochu: This reasonably priced seafood restaurant offers help from staff with peeling shrimp. Mantis shrimp and flower crabs are worth considering.

• Xinji Shrimp Fritters: This long-established shop on Old Street serves shrimp fritters with a crisp outside and tender center. They are especially fragrant fresh from the pan.

• Ershisi Chuang Sweet Dessert Soups: Located on Qiaogang Food Street, this shop serves soft, chewy cassava and taro balls in coconut milk. They make a cooling sweet treat or a refreshing finish to a rich meal.

• Saigon Girl Vietnamese Hotpot: This restaurant specializes in authentic Vietnamese flavors, with an appetizing sour and spicy broth. It is a good option for a seaside meal, with an affordable cost per person.

• Nin Facai Stir-Fried Seafood Tongfeng Pot: Seafood is stir-fried to order, giving it a pronounced wok aroma, while the seafood congee has a fresh, naturally sweet flavor. This is also a popular spot with locals.

• Fengzai Seafood Rice Noodles: Try Qiaogang's distinctive noodle dishes here. The seafood rice noodles emphasize fresh seafood flavors, while the laoyou noodles are tangy and mildly spicy. Both reflect local tastes.

Where to Stay

• Near Qiaogang Food Street: A good area to consider first, with plenty of places to eat and stay, and close to the passenger ferry terminal for Weizhou Island. Silver Beach and Guantouling are easy to reach by electric scooter. There are many guesthouses, and the streets are lively at night.
• Around Silver Beach: Better suited to families with children or travelers focused on relaxing by the sea. The beach is within walking distance, and the surroundings are relatively quiet. Bear in mind that nearby restaurants tend to be more expensive, and the area is less lively than Qiaogang.
• Near Beihai Old Street: With its concentration of old buildings and nostalgic streetscapes, this area suits travelers who enjoy city walks and vintage-style photography. Dining is convenient, too.
• On Weizhou Island: Consider the Nanwan area or Dishui Village for convenient seafood dining and nearby sunset spots. Before booking, ask the property for a video of the room and check how well the air conditioning cools it and whether mosquitoes or other insects are a problem.

Getting Around

• Getting to Beihai: Fly directly to Beihai Fucheng Airport, or fly to Nanning and take a high-speed train to Beihai Railway Station.
• Traveling within the city: Beihai is compact, and renting an electric scooter makes it easy to explore coastal sights at your own pace. Rental costs about 30–50 yuan per day. Taxi fares usually start at around 8–12 yuan.
• Getting to Weizhou Island: Buy ferry tickets in advance through official ticketing channels. Fares range from 150 to 300 yuan, and the one-way crossing takes about 70 minutes. Island admission costs an additional 98 yuan. Tickets are in short supply during peak season, so aim to book seven days ahead.

Travel Tips

• Check when ferry tickets go on sale: Weizhou Island ferry tickets can be hard to secure in peak season. Tickets go on sale 15 days in advance, with new tickets released daily at 9 a.m. Do not wait until departure to buy them at the terminal.
• Confirm seafood prices first: Be cautious about open-air seafood restaurants recommended by taxi or other drivers. They may receive a commission, and prices may be higher. You can buy seafood at local markets, such as those around Qiaogang Food Street or Guizhou Road Community Market, then take it to a restaurant to be cooked. Before ordering, confirm whether prices are per portion or per jin (500 grams).
• Use sun protection and check the tides: UV levels are strong by the sea, so bring SPF50+ sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. Check Beihai's tide tables before exploring the shore, and wait until the tide has gone out to search for sea snails and catch crabs. Avoid long outdoor walks in the midday sun.
• Confirm charges before using services: Beach chairs usually cost 68–88 yuan to use, so ask the price first. Avoid buying pearls and souvenirs from roadside sellers, as their authenticity may be doubtful. Also watch for unclear charges from photographers and jet ski operators who approach you on the beach.
• Take care on rocky shores: The rocks at Guantouling can be slippery. Watch your footing when taking photos and wear shoes with good grip. After dark, the rocks are wet and slippery, and rising tides pose a risk, so stay out of dangerous areas.