Beihai is a laid-back coastal city in southern Guangxi, China, best known for its sweeping Silver Beach, a colonial-era Old Street, and the ferries that depart from its port to the volcanic Weizhou Island. This Beihai travel guide covers the best time to visit, how to get there, the top things to do, where to stay, what to eat, and an itinerary that easily adds Weizhou. Less frenetic than China’s bigger beach resorts, Beihai pairs a real working fishing port with soft sand and a gentle subtropical climate, making it an ideal warm-weather counterpoint to the karst mountains of nearby Guilin and Yangshuo.
Planning your first China coast trip? Start with our China travel guide for first-timers before you book.
Best Time to Visit Beihai
The best time to visit Beihai is spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November), when temperatures hover between 24°C and 30°C and the humidity is at its lowest. These windows give the most comfortable days for the beach and the old town, with clear skies and calm seas for the Weizhou ferry. Summer (June–August) is hot, humid, and prone to typhoons, though the water is warmest; winter is mild but cooler, with the occasional chilly northerly wind.
Avoid the National Day holiday in early October and July–August peak if you want space on the sand, as domestic beach crowds swell then. Late April and late October are the sweet spots: warm enough to swim, quiet enough to enjoy, and with reliable ferry schedules to the island.
How to Get to Beihai
Beihai has its own airport and high-speed rail, and it is the mainland gateway to Weizhou Island. Ferry and train schedules can be checked on China Railway’s official English portal, China Railway (12306).
- By air: Beihai Fucheng Airport (BHY) has direct flights from Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, and other hubs; a taxi or airport bus reaches the city center in about 30–40 minutes.
- By train: High-speed rail links Beihai with Nanning (about 1.5 hours) and Guilin (about 4–5 hours), so the city slots neatly into a Guilin–Yangshuo route; see our Guilin-Yangshuo travel guide for the inland half of that trip.
- By road: Long-distance buses and private drivers connect Beihai with Nanning and the Vietnam-border region; the coastal highway makes for a scenic drive if you are continuing toward Dongxing or the border.
Top Things to Do in Beihai
Silver Beach (Yintan)
The things to do in Beihai list is crowned by Silver Beach, a 24 km arc of fine, pale quartz sand that stays cool underfoot and glows at dusk — hence the name. It is wide, clean, and free to enter, with gentle shallows good for swimming and a long promenade for evening walks.
Beihai Old Street (Zhuhai Road)
A stretch of restored early-20th-century arcaded shophouses built during the city’s treaty-port heyday, Old Street is the place for a slow stroll, colonial-photo backdrops, and a coffee or local snack. The weathered facades tell the story of Beihai as a once-bustling trading port.
Weizhou Island Ferry and Port
Beihai’s International Passenger Port is the launch point for catamarans to Weizhou Island (70–90 minutes). Even if you don’t sail, the waterfront and seafood market near the pier are worth a visit for the morning catch and the boat-watching.
Beihai Underwater World and Ocean Park
A family-friendly aquarium with tropical fish, touch pools, and a tunnel tank, handy for a rainy afternoon or traveling with kids. It sits near the northern beach and is an easy half-day.
Lianzhou or the Coastal Causeway
For a quieter escape, the causeway and nearby Lianzhou areas offer mangroves, fishing villages, and birdlife, a calm contrast to the busy Silver Beach strip.
Where to Stay in Beihai
Stay near Silver Beach for sea access and resorts (rooms from about ¥250–600 per night), or choose the city-center/Old Street area for dining and transport convenience at lower prices. Budget hostels and guesthouses cluster near the bus stations, while couples often pick beachfront hotels with sunset balconies. Book ahead in July–August and National Day, when rates climb and availability thins. If Weizhou is part of your plan, pick a hotel that can arrange early ferry pickup, since the first sailings leave before most breakfast services open. The Old Street area is especially charming for evening strolls, with lantern-lit arcades and quiet cafes a short walk from your room, while the Silver Beach strip suits travelers who want the sea just outside the door. Weekday rates are noticeably lower than weekend ones, so shifting your stay by a day or two can save a meaningful amount, and booking a refundable rate gives you flexibility if a typhoon disrupts the ferry.
Beihai Food and Local Specialties
Beihai eats from the Gulf: steamed crab, squid, clams, and the local “sandworm” (a prized coastal delicacy, gently stir-fried) headline the seafood stalls. A Beihai to Weizhou Island hop extends the same menu offshore. For a taste of Guangxi’s river-town cooking inland, our Yangshuo countryside guide covers the northern mountain flavors, and the Li River cruise guide pairs naturally with a Beihai beach finish on a regional loop.
Love river towns too? Pair the coast with our Yangshuo countryside guide for a Guangxi land-and-sea route.
Beihai Itinerary
A Beihai itinerary of two to three days balances city and island:
- Day 1: Silver Beach at sunset, Old Street dinner and stroll.
- Day 2: Morning ferry to Weizhou Island, beach and church, return or overnight on the island.
- Day 3 (optional): Underwater World or coastal causeway, then train onward to Nanning or Guilin.
A Beihai to Weizhou Island round trip is the classic move, and many travelers use Beihai as the warm bookend of a Guilin–Yangshuo–Beihai route that takes in karst rivers and tropical sea in one trip.
Beihai Travel Tips
A few Beihai travel tips: book Weizhou ferries early and watch the weather, as storms cancel sailings; use DiDi for airport and port runs; and carry cash for the smaller seafood stalls. The sun is strong on the beach, so bring reef-safe sunscreen and a hat, and swim only in flagged areas on Silver Beach. Tap water is not for drinking — buy bottled. If you plan to continue toward the Vietnam border at Dongxing, sort your visa and transport in advance, as cross-border rules change. Finally, keep a paper map or offline maps handy, because mobile signal can drop along the coastal causeway and on the causeway roads out to the ferries.
FAQ
Is Beihai worth visiting for foreign tourists?
Yes — it offers an easy, affordable beach break with real port character and a quick ferry to Weizhou Island.
How do I get from Beihai to Weizhou Island?
By catamaran from the International Passenger Port, about 70–90 minutes; book ahead in peak season.
How many days do I need in Beihai?
Two to three days, including a day trip or overnight on Weizhou Island.
What is Beihai most famous for?
Its Silver Beach, the colonial Old Street, and as the ferry gateway to Weizhou Island.
Final Thoughts
Beihai is the kind of city that rewards a slow arrival: a swim at dusk, a wander throughOld Street’s arcades, and a ferry to the volcano-shaped island just offshore. Keep your island timing weather-aware, your seafood adventurous, and your pace gentle, and the Gulf will settle you. This Beihai travel guide shows why the port belongs on any southern Guangxi route. For more ideas, browse our best things to do in China and plan your Beihai trip today.
Ready to plan the coast? Check the best time to visit China guide and pick your Beihai window.