Just returned from a 3-day trip to Fangchenggang... a foolproof guide!

Perfect for avoiding summer crowds, this off-the-beaten-path route is ideal.
Compared to bustling Beihai, Fangchenggang is quieter, with emptier beaches and more comfortable temperatures—great for a relaxed, unhurried getaway.

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**Road Trip Route**: Nanning → Dongxing → Qisha → Fangchenggang
Though it's a self-drive trip, we opted for high-speed rail round-trip from Nanning!
Rent a car in **Dongxing** and return it in **Fangchenggang**
(Not sure if it's because Fangchenggang is popular, but there was no cross-city return fee!!)

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**Day 1: Nanning → Dongxing**
🚄 ~1h by high-speed rail
💰 ~70 RMB (plenty of daily departures—pick a time that suits you)

📍Dongxing is a small border town between China and Vietnam, offering a close-up experience of Vietnamese culture. If time allows, arrange a day trip to Vietnam—head to Mang Street and return the same day (don’t forget your passport!).

🏨 **Hotel Recs**: Vienna/Ramada (Dongxing Port Branch). The location is fantastic!!! The top floor offers views of Vietnam. Both hotels share the same building and rooftop, but Vienna is cheaper—though its window views aren’t as good as Ramada’s.

🍴 **Food Recs**: Must-try Vietnamese pho and fried chicken, but skip the "balut" (fertilized duck egg)!! Street vendors sell lots of Vietnamese snacks—I highly recommend dried mango and taro chips!
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**Day 2: Dongxing → Qisha**
🚘 ~1.5h drive from Dongxing, with stunning scenery along the way—perfect for a road trip. Here’s our itinerary:

📍Jiulongzhai: Don’t miss the coastal highway—super photogenic! (Avoid low tide.)
📍Qisha Seafood Market: The seafood is plump and cheap this season. Buy fresh ingredients and have them cooked (stir-fried) at nearby stalls (processing fee: 10-20 RMB—remember to bargain!!!).
📍Shanxin Beach: Fine sand, few crowds, and tons of shells—great for families avoiding tourist hotspots (watch the kids!).
📍Qisha Lighthouse: Near the seafood market. Worth a quick photo, but no need to trek to the end of the pier—it’s exhausting!
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**Day 3: Fangchenggang City**
🏖️ For sunrise lovers, stay overnight in Qisha—lots of affordable sea-view B&Bs!
🏠 Or drive back to Fangchenggang for better amenities and a day of relaxation.

📍Catch the sunset at Daoshui'ao Bridge, with many sunset-view cafés nearby. The waterfront promenade is perfect for a stroll.
📍Xiwan Beach: The closest beach to downtown. After Vietnamese food in the city center, it’s just a short drive away—great for a post-meal walk!
(Park near "Beach Store"—there’s a lot with EV chargers.)

🍜 Fangchenggang’s city food is the BEST!! While Dongxing and Qisha offer local eateries, the city’s Vietnamese restaurants are next-level—packed with culinary masters!