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As soon as winter comes, a large number of Chinese people flock to Hokkaido. In the south of our country, there is a romantic city with only one word difference - Beihai.
This niche winter destination boasts an average annual temperature of 19°C, stunning scenery, and a pleasant climate. It's truly a year-round destination, boasting the world's best beach, Beihai Silver Beach; Weizhou Island, China's youngest volcanic island; the Qilou Old Street, built in 1883; and Qiaogang Town, a renowned sweet snack street.
When you come to Guangxi, in addition to going to Guilin to appreciate the beautiful scenery created by the karst landform, it is also worth going south to experience the unique scenery of this seaside town. Not only is the seafood here cheap, but there are also quite a lot of snacks and desserts.
This century-old street tells the story of Beihai's transformation. Its arcade-style buildings, a fusion of Chinese and Western styles, are scattered throughout the street. After more than half a century of cultural integration, the old street now houses the former sites of the British, French, and German consulates, the former site of the German firm Semper & Co., and the former site of a Catholic convent.
This was once Beihai's bustling commercial district. Over time, many of the shops have become residential buildings, giving the area a more artistic feel. If you're visiting the Old Street, this is a great place to find a bite to eat. You'll find a variety of shrimp cake shops, fried snails, desserts, and shrimp dumplings. You can also buy authentic Southeast Asian specialties at the local specialty supermarket. The Old Street at night offers a unique atmosphere!
Shrimp cakes are made from small shrimp coated in flour and deep-fried, perfect for eating freshly fried. The cuttlefish balls are also excellent, perfectly chewy. Aunt Li's Shrimp Cake Shop is the most famous and popular shop on Beihai Old Street. It was even featured on the popular TV show "A Bite of China," making it an internet sensation. Similar shops have sprung up on Beihai Old Street, so be sure to read the shop's name carefully before you go!
Stretching approximately 24 kilometers from east to west, with a beach width ranging from 30 to 3,000 meters, its area exceeds the combined surface area of the beaches in Dalian, Yantai, Qingdao, Xiamen, and Beidaihe. Composed of high-quality quartz sand, it gleams silvery in sunlight. With an average slope of only 0.05, the terrain is gentle, making it highly safe for swimming. The nearby waters are suitable for swimming seven or eight months of the year.
There are many entertainment facilities in the Silver Beach Scenic Area, including surfing, sand playing, sea bathing, beach golf, volleyball, etc., to enjoy the passion of sunshine, beach and waves.
There are two swimming areas here, the beach east of the "Chao" sculpture in the beach park and the beach east of the main entrance to Silver Beach Park. The swimming areas are equipped with lifeguard towers and professional lifeguards. For your safety, please swim in the designated swimming areas.
There are ten buildings in the style of egg houses in the scenic area, which can provide changing, flushing, storage, toilets and small commodity sales. Currently in operation are Island 4#, Island 5 and Island 6 of the Beach Park, and the West Toilet Service Area, Island 10, the Middle Toilet Service Area, Island 11 and Island 12 of the Silver Beach Park.
In the central beach park, there is a giant stainless steel sculpture known as the largest in Asia. It can accommodate more than 40,000 people at the same time and is the best place for large-scale events in Beihai.
Tips:
1. There are battery cars in Beihai Silver Beach Park, which can be used for sightseeing around the sea, 10 yuan per person;
2. There are go-karts on the beach, which are divided into single and double. The price varies in the off-season and the price is 50-80 yuan/10 minutes.
3. A taxi from the city center to Silver Beach takes about 15 minutes and costs around 20 yuan. You can also take the double-decker tourist bus, bus No. 102, or bus No. 106 to the last stop, which is Silver Beach.
What you need to prepare before going to the beach:
Prepare a change of clothes, slippers, towels, waterproof bags, etc.; a pair of flip-flops that are comfortable to wear and walk in; sun protection equipment such as sunscreen, umbrellas, hats, etc.; if you like taking photos, you can prepare a mirrorless camera or a selfie stick.
Qiaogang Town, a stone's throw from the renowned Beihai Silver Beach, known as "the best beach in the world," is China's largest resettlement center for returned overseas Chinese. Home to many Vietnamese returnees, it exudes a touch of Vietnamese charm. More rustic than the Old Street, it's home to a renowned Tangshui Snack Street, offering a fusion of Beihai delicacies and Vietnamese snacks.
It wasn't until I arrived in Beihai that I realized there were so many varieties of sweet soup! This shop, which has been around for over a decade, has an extensive menu with dozens of varieties, making it hard to choose. But at just 5-6 yuan, the prices are affordable, and the ingredients are top-notch, so don't miss it!
This long-established ice cream shop offers handmade smoothies, including their signature jackfruit ice cream, which is incredibly soft and melts in your mouth. Business is booming, so consider trying their fried snails and other seafood while you wait. They also offer sweet soups at a very reasonable price of 5-6 yuan.
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The springy rice noodle wrappers come with a variety of fillings to choose from, and the finished rice noodle rolls are topped with a layer of sauce! It's easy to eat a lot! There are actually a lot of rice noodle shops on the street, and they all taste pretty good.
This place is highly recommended. They offer a wide variety of seafood at affordable prices, with generous portions and delicious flavors. Their signature Vietnamese fruit salad, mango shaved ice, and other Vietnamese dishes are highly recommended!
This is Beihai's landmark building, the "Nanzhuhun," located here. Located in the city center, it is Beihai's largest and most prosperous commercial district. Surrounding it are business districts such as He'an, Baoyi, and Qidong. There are many dining options and entertainment options, including a fountain show at 8 p.m. It is also a transportation hub and a great choice for accommodation in Beihai.
Guantouling, located 8 kilometers from downtown, is the only scenic spot in Beihai City that combines both forests and marine reefs. Known as one of the "Eight Ancient Scenic Spots of Beihai," it offers captivating views of sunrises and sunsets, the vast ocean waves, and the twinkling fishing boats at night, making it a popular choice for local couples taking wedding photos.
It is composed of several seaside peaks. The main peak in the scenic area, Wanglouling, is 120 meters above sea level and is the highest point in Beihai City. Climbing to the top of the mountain, you can overlook the surrounding coastal scenery.
Tips:
Free admission
Opening hours: 08:00-18:00
You can drive or ride a bicycle along the winding mountain road to the top of the mountain, where you can enjoy the unparalleled sea view and the uninterrupted views of the mountains and the sea.
If you are walking, be prepared with drinks to quench your thirst, a sun hat and sunglasses;
Walk down the mountain and you will be close to the sea and the beach, where you can also swim or barbecue.
Get lost in the alleys and streets of Beihai! Perhaps long after, you can only recall the beautiful scenery through photos, but the wonderful and comfortable feeling lingering on your tongue will never be forgotten.
