Beihai Travel Guide
City Chinese coastal city and tourist destination
Beihai’s Silver Beach pulls sunbathers and kite surfers; the colonial-era old town, seafood stalls, and ferry link to volcanic Weizhou Island keep visitors busy. Boat trips to offshore islets and coastal promenades set the pace.
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Why Visit Beihai? #
Beihai attracts visitors for sun, sea and maritime history on China’s Gulf of Tonkin. Silver Beach (Yintan) offers long sand stretches, while ferry connections to volcanic Weizhou Island showcase unusual coastal geology and fishing-village life. Fresh seafood dominates the menu and local festivals celebrate marine harvests, making it an appealing mix of beach recreation and southern Chinese coastal culture.
Who's Beihai For?
Beihai is best known for Silver Beach’s fine sand and clear waters and for ferry access to volcanic Weizhou Island. Coastal parks and island hikes offer varied seaside landscapes ideal for beach days and photography excursions.
Beachfront promenades, sunset seafood dinners on Zhongshan Road and quieter spots on Weizhou Island make Beihai appealing for couples. Boutique hotels on the seafront provide pleasant stays without the higher prices of China’s major resort cities.
Seafood is the highlight: local night markets and coastal restaurants serve fresh prawns, crab and shellfish at reasonable prices. Zhongshan Road and the old port area are good places to sample Guangxi coastal dishes and street snacks.
Affordable hostels, budget ferries to Weizhou Island and cheap street food make Beihai a friendly stop for backpackers. Island homestays and basic guesthouses keep costs low while offering easy access to beaches and snorkelling sites.
Best Things to Do in Beihai
All Attractions ›
Beihai Bucket List
- Beihai Silver Beach (银滩) - Fourteen kilometers of fine white sand and shallow, warm water-ideal for long walks.
- Weizhou Island (涠洲岛) - Volcanic island with dramatic cliffs, coral reefs, and lava formations; ferries take about two hours.
- Beihai Old Street (中山路) - Cobblestone lanes lined with colonial-era architecture, cafes, and local seafood stalls to explore.
- Beihai Underwater World (北海海底世界) - Aquarium with regional marine species and interactive exhibits popular with families and children.
- Xieyang Island (斜阳岛) - Small uninhabited isle near Weizhou, quiet beaches and abundant seabirds reachable by local boat.
- Beihai Underwater World (北海海底世界) - Aquarium with regional marine species and interactive exhibits popular with families and children.
- People's Park (人民公园) - Green space with a lake, walking paths, and locals practicing tai chi at dawn.
- Beihai Old Street (中山路) - Cobblestone lanes lined with colonial-era architecture, cafes, and local seafood stalls to explore.
- Weizhou Island (涠洲岛) - Accessible by ferry in about two hours; explore volcanic landscapes, snorkeling, and coastal villages.
- Qinzhou - Nearby coastal city known for seafood markets and traditional fishing harbors, about two hours' drive.
- Fangchenggang - Port city with fresh seafood, beaches, and access to mangrove reserves; reachable within two hours.
- Xieyang Island (斜阳岛) - Small uninhabited isle near Weizhou, quiet beaches and abundant seabirds reachable by local boat.
Regions of Beihai #
Silver Beach
Beihai’s most famous coastal strip: wide sandy beach, shallow warm water and family-friendly facilities. It’s where most visitors spend a full day relaxing, swimming and trying local seafood.
Top Spots
- Beihai Silver Beach (Yintan) - long sandy beach with shallow water, popular with families.
- Beach promenade - seafood restaurants and amusement spots.
- Water sports stands - seasonal rentals and activities.
Weizhou Island
The volcanic island off Beihai is a major day-trip and multi-day destination - black-rock coastlines, quiet beaches and relaxed island life. Ferries run from Beihai main port; bring sunscreen and a camera.
Top Spots
- Weizhou Island - volcanic island reachable by ferry, known for beaches and lava formations.
- Island coastal trails - viewpoints, sea caves and cafes.
- Local seafood joints - small restaurants serving island catch.
Old Street (Zhongshan Road)
The city’s older commercial street with souvenir shops, local snacks and a relaxed seaside town vibe. Good for short strolls, snack sampling and picking up seaside mementos.
Top Spots
- Zhongshan Road (Old Street) - lined with shops selling local snacks, antiques and souvenirs.
- Beihai Underwater World - aquarium and family attraction near the seafront.
- Local tea houses - spots for afternoon tea and snacks.
Plan Your Visit to Beihai #
Best Time to Visit Beihai #
Visit Beihai between November and May for pleasantly warm, mostly dry weather ideal for Silver Beach, island hopping and seafood. Avoid June-October's monsoon months, which bring high humidity, heavy rain and occasional typhoons.
Best Time to Visit Beihai #
Beihai's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical (Dry Winter) - Humid Subtropical (Dry Winter) climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 11°C to 32°C. Abundant rainfall (1649 mm/year), wettest in August with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 18°C and lows of 11°C. Light rainfall and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (45 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is mild with highs of 22°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (56 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 20°C. Significant rainfall (111 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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May
May is hot, feeling like 30°C with oppressive humidity. Heavy rain (218 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is hot, feeling like 35°C with oppressive humidity. Heavy rain (258 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is the hottest month, feeling like 36°C with oppressive humidity. Heavy rain (271 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is hot, feeling like 35°C with oppressive humidity. The wettest month with heavy rain (318 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is hot, feeling like 32°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (180 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is warm with highs of 28°C and lows of 21°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 17°C. Moderate rainfall (46 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 13°C. The driest month with just 25 mm and partly cloudy skies.
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How to Get to Beihai
Beihai is served by Beihai Fucheng Airport (BHY) for domestic flights and by the city's rail station (Beihai Railway Station/北海站) for regional links. Larger airports such as Nanning Wuxu (NNG) are commonly used as alternatives with road or rail connections into Beihai.
Beihai Fucheng Airport (BHY): The city’s main airport, a short drive from the urban core. Airport taxis to Beihai city centre typically take around 20-30 minutes and cost roughly ¥60-¥100; there is usually an airport shuttle bus or local coach service into the city for about ¥10-¥25 with a journey time of 30-45 minutes.
Nanning Wuxu International Airport (NNG): Nanning is the nearest major hub with many more domestic connections; it is commonly used as an alternative to flying directly into Beihai. Ground transfers from Nanning to Beihai by long-distance coach or intercity train take roughly 2.5-4 hours and cost in the order of ¥60-¥150 depending on mode and class - plan extra time for transfers.
Train: Beihai Railway Station (北海站) is the primary rail terminal serving the city. Regional trains link Beihai with other Guangxi cities (notably Nanning and coastal destinations); travel times and fares vary by service - conventional trains are cheaper while faster services cost more (typical one-way fares to larger regional hubs commonly fall in the range of ~¥60-¥150).
Bus: Long-distance coaches depart from Beihai’s main coach/long‑distance bus stations and serve nearby cities such as Nanning, Qinzhou and Fangchenggang as well as coastal towns. Journey times and prices depend on distance - short intercity trips may be about 1-2 hours (¥30-¥70) while longer routes cost more and take several hours (¥70-¥150); buses are frequent and a practical option for budget travel.
How to Get Around Beihai
Getting around Beihai is easiest using a mix of taxis/DiDi for door‑to‑door convenience and local buses for cheap point‑to‑point travel. For island trips use the ferries and for regional journeys consider trains for comfort or coaches for flexibility.
- Local bus (¥1-¥3) - Beihai has an extensive local bus network covering the main urban districts and popular sights like Silver Beach. Buses are very cheap and useful for longer intra-city hops, but routes can be confusing for non-Chinese speakers - keep a map or use a transit app. Expect modest crowding during peak hours.
- Taxi / DiDi (¥10-¥60) - Taxis are plentiful and convenient for door-to-door travel; official meters start at around ¥8-¥10 with per-kilometre rates thereafter. DiDi (China's ride-hailing) also works in Beihai and can be easier if you don't speak Chinese. Taxis are the easiest way to reach beaches or port areas where buses are indirect.
- Intercity bus (¥30-¥150) - Long‑distance coaches connect Beihai with regional cities and towns and depart from the main coach stations; they are often cheaper than trains for some routes and run frequently. Buses are a good option if train schedules don't match your plans, but journeys can be longer and less comfortable than high‑speed rail.
- Train (¥60-¥150) - Regional rail services run into Beihai Railway Station and provide connections to bigger Guangxi hubs such as Nanning and coastal cities. Trains are generally reliable and more comfortable for medium‑distance travel than coaches; book ahead during holidays to secure preferred times and seat classes.
- Ferry (to Weizhou Island) (¥60-¥150) - Ferries to Weizhou Island depart from Beihai's port/harbour area and are the main way to reach the island for day trips or overnight stays. Schedules are weather-dependent and more frequent in peak season; buy return tickets in advance at busy times and allow time to transfer between the city and the harbour.
- Bicycle / e-bike rental (¥1-¥15) - Short-term bicycle and electric-bike rentals are popular for exploring coastal promenades and Silver Beach. E-bikes make the flat coastal areas easy to cover quickly - helmet ownership and local traffic rules vary, so ride cautiously. Rentals are cheap and widely available near tourist spots.
- Walking - Much of central Beihai and the Silver Beach area is compact and pleasant to explore on foot, especially along the seafront and parks. Walking is the best way to take in the waterfront, markets and local eateries; wear comfortable shoes and be mindful of sun exposure.
Where to Stay in Beihai #
- Budget hotels and guesthouses in Beihai - Hostels and cheap hotels by the port.
- Economy listings on major platforms - Affordable local options.
- Wyndham Grand Beihai (example mid-range) - Comfortable, beachfront-adjacent rooms.
- Well-rated local three-star hotels - Good breakfast and central locations.
- Luxury beachfront resorts in Beihai - Resorts with full amenities and pools.
- Upscale hotels listed on major platforms - Higher-end beachfront options.
- Central hotels near Silver Beach - Walkable to main beach attractions.
- Well-located mid-range options - Convenient for sightseeing and dining.
- Family-friendly seaside hotels - Rooms and kid-friendly facilities.
- Resorts with pools and activities - Good for children and groups.
- Seaside hotels and serviced apartments - Apartments with kitchen and Wi‑Fi.
- Hotels near cafes and coworking spaces - Good cafés for workspace.
Where to Eat in Beihai #
Beihai’s food scene leans on its coastal location: seafood is everywhere, from simple grilled skewers at night markets to Cantonese-style dishes in seaside restaurants near Silver Beach. Beihai Old Street is a great place to sample small snacks, tropical sweets and fresh shellfish prepared simply.
The city also has hotel restaurants and city-centre venues offering broader Asian and Western dishes. Vegetarians can rely on tofu preparations, vegetable stir-fries and the abundant produce from local markets.
- Beihai Old Street - Seafood stalls, coconut sweets, local snacks.
- Silver Beach area restaurants - Fresh shellfish and Cantonese-style seafood dishes.
- Local night markets - Skewers, grilled seafood and rice noodle dishes.
- International hotels - Western-style menus and continental breakfast spreads.
- City-centre restaurants - Southeast Asian and Cantonese fusion options.
- Fast-food chains - Familiar global brands for quick meals.
- Vegetable stalls in markets - Fresh produce for DIY vegetarian meals.
- Local vegetarian-friendly restaurants - Tofu dishes and vegetable stir-fries available.
- Cafés and bakeries - Light vegetarian sandwiches and pastries.
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Beihai's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Beihai #
Beihai is a coastal city with an easygoing evening vibe: seafood restaurants, Zhongshan Road’s old‑street atmosphere and late‑night activity at Silver Beach and on Weizhou Island. Summer evenings are busiest-expect outdoor dining, seafood grills and beach bars. Dress casually, bring mosquito repellent for island nights and plan ferries in advance for Weizhou Island after dark.
Best Bets
- Silver Beach (Yintan) - Long beach with evening promenades and seaside eateries.
- Zhongshan Road (Old Street) - Evening food stalls, shops and late-night strolls.
- Weizhou Island - Island bars and seafood restaurants-check ferry schedules.
- Seafood restaurants and night markets - Fresh-catch restaurants active into the evening.
- Bo'ai / civic square areas - Public squares with nearby cafés and evening crowds.
- Harbour and promenade - Evening walks with seafood stalls and sea views.
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