Weizhou Island Island

Weizhou Island is a volcanic island in the Beibu Gulf (Gulf of Tonkin) off the coast of Beihai in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. It is the largest island in Guangxi and is notable for its volcanic geology and coastal landforms.

The island features basalt cliffs, volcanic cones and sandy beaches, and supports fishing villages and tourism facilities concentrated around coastal settlements. Visitors go for coastal scenery, seafood and to see volcanic features along the shoreline.

Formed by volcanic activity, Weizhou has a recorded history of settlement and maritime activity and today is administered as part of Beihai city. The island’s volcanic origins are responsible for its distinctive rock formations and black basalt outcrops.

Weizhou Island sits in the northern South China Sea (Beibu Gulf), under the jurisdiction of Beihai city in Guangxi, and is reached by ferry services from the Beihai mainland.

• Ferry access: Ferries run regularly from Beihai on the mainland; travel times vary by vessel and sea conditions.

Weizhou Island (Weizhou Dao) is served by ferries from Beihai on the Guangxi coast. From Beihai city take a local bus or taxi to the Beihai ferry terminal (the port serving Weizhou Island) and board a passenger ferry to the island; crossings typically take around 1.5-2 hours depending on vessel and sea conditions.

Once on Weizhou Island, the main villages and sights are reached on foot, by local shuttle or taxi from the ferry pier.

• Take one of the earliest ferries from Beihai/Weizhou ferry terminal so you arrive before day-trip crowds and have better light for photographing the volcanic coast.
• Check tide and weather forecasts before setting out - the island's coastal rock formations and some walking routes are best seen at low tide and in calm conditions.
• Make time to explore the island's volcanic rock formations and western cliffs rather than sticking to the main town shoreline; these areas are the island's most distinctive landscapes and are often overlooked by short-stay visitors.