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Things to Do in Beihai (2026)
Silver Beach is Beihai's most famous stretch of sand, known for its fine white grains and gentle waves. It's free to enter and stretches for miles, perfect for swimming or a relaxeβ¦ ποΈ Silver Beach
Silver Beach is Beihai's most famous stretch of sand, known for its fine white grains and gentle waves. It's free to enter and stretches for miles, perfect for swimming or a relaxed stroll. Arrive early in the morning to avoid crowds and catch the sunrise over the Gulf of Tonkin.
ποΈ Old Town Charm
Beihai's Old Town, centered on Zhuhai Road, preserves a mix of Qing-era and Western colonial architecture. Wander the narrow lanes to see restored shop houses and local galleries. Entry is free, and many buildings now house cafes and souvenir shops open from 9 AM to 9 PM.
π Weizhou Island
A 30-minute ferry from Beihai's International Passenger Port, Weizhou Island offers volcanic landscapes and clear waters. Rent an electric scooter for about 60 RMB per day to explore the island's beaches and the dramatic Crocodile Mountain. Ferries run hourly from 8 AM to 5 PM, with round-trip tickets around 300 RMB.
π¦ Seafood Street
For a true taste of Beihai, head to Qiaogang Seafood Street in the evening. This open-air market lets you pick live seafood from tanks and have it grilled or steamed on the spot. Prices are reasonable, with a full meal for two costing around 150-200 RMB. The street is busiest from 6 PM to 10 PM.
πΏ Beihai Park
Beihai Park is a lush green space in the city center, featuring a large lake and subtropical gardens. It's a great spot for a morning walk or a picnic, with entry costing just 10 RMB. The park also has a small zoo and paddle boats for rent, making it family-friendly.
π΅ Getting Around
The easiest way to explore Beihai is by renting an electric scooter, which costs about 40-50 RMB per day. Taxis are also affordable, with most rides within the city under 20 RMB. Public buses run along major routes, but schedules can be irregular, so plan ahead.
π Sunset at Guan Tou Ling
Guan Tou Ling, a small hill on the western edge of the city, offers panoramic views of the coastline and is the best spot for sunset. It's a short 15-minute climb, and the view of the sun dipping into the sea is unforgettable. Bring a flashlight if you stay late, as the path is unlit after dark.
π Evening Entertainment
For evening entertainment, check out the Beihai Old Town Night Market on Zhongshan Road. It comes alive after 7 PM with street food stalls, live music, and local crafts. Alternatively, the Beihai Grand Theatre on South Avenue hosts traditional Chinese opera performances on weekends, with tickets from 80 RMB.
the old town night market is decent but if you want something more local, try the food street on beihai avenue near the south end. it's where the locals actually eat, not tourists. stalls open around 7pm and you can get grilled squid and oyster omelets for like half what they charge on zhongshan road. the oyster omelet guy on the corner with the blue cart has been there for years, his sauce is different from the others, a bit sweeter with chili
also for getting around, the shared bikes are fine but the app can be annoying for tourists who don't have wechat pay set up. just flag a taxi, they're cheap and the drivers know the shortcuts. from silver beach to the port it's like 15 rmb and way less hassle than figuring out the bus schedule
solid list, covers the main spots pretty well. one thing i'd add is that weizhou island is worth staying overnight if you can swing it. the last ferry back is at 5pm and the island gets super quiet after that, you can have the beaches almost to yourself at sunrise. there's a few guesthouses near the south bay for like 150-200 rmb a night, nothing fancy but clean enough.
also the old town is nice during the day but honestly it's way better after 9pm when most of the shops close and the street lights come on. the architecture looks moody and there's a few bars tucked away on the side streets that do live acoustic sets. my favorite is on zhuhai road itself, second floor above a noodle shop, has a balcony overlooking the street.
fwiw the Guan Tou Ling sunset spot is legit but the path up can be a bit sketchy if it rained recently, there's loose gravel near the top. i'd wear sneakers not flip flops. also there's a tiny temple halfway up that most people miss, it's tucked behind some bushes on the left side of the trail. not much to see inside but the old lady who keeps it will sometimes offer you tea if she's around
for Beihai Park, the paddle boats are fun but the real hidden gem is the small teahouse on the northeast corner of the lake. they do a decent osmanthus tea for 15 rmb and you can sit on the deck watching the locals play mahjong under the banyan trees. way more relaxing than fighting for a boat with families tbh
Best Food in Beihai (2026)
Beihai is famous for its fresh seafood and unique snacks. The star dish is Beihai shrimp cake, a crispy fritter stuffed with whole shrimp, sold at street stalls for aroundβ¦ π Must-Try Local Dishes
Beihai is famous for its fresh seafood and unique snacks. The star dish is Beihai shrimp cake, a crispy fritter stuffed with whole shrimp, sold at street stalls for around 5 RMB. Another local favorite is sandworm porridge, a savory rice porridge with tender sandworms, best enjoyed at breakfast spots like Laojie Sandworm Porridge on Zhongshan Road.
π¦ Best Seafood Restaurants
For a sit-down seafood feast, head to Waisha Seafood Island at 9 Waisha Island Road. This floating restaurant offers live seafood tanks and dishes like steamed crab and garlic clams, with average spending around 150-200 RMB per person. For a budget option, try Beihai Seafood Market on Sichuan Road, where you can pick fresh catch and have it cooked at nearby stalls for a small fee.
π₯ Street Food Hotspots
The Old Street (Laojie) on Zhuhai Road is the top spot for street food, especially in the evening. Don't miss the grilled oysters with garlic and chili, sold for 10 RMB for six pieces. Another must-try is the sticky rice cake filled with red bean paste, available from vendors near the clock tower for 3 RMB each.
π Noodle and Soup Spots
For a hearty bowl of noodles, visit Beihai Rice Noodle King at 88 Beibuwan East Road. Their signature is the seafood rice noodle soup with shrimp and squid, priced at 18 RMB. For a lighter option, try the fish ball soup at Auntie Chen's stall in the morning market on Heping Road, where a bowl costs 8 RMB.
π° Sweet Treats and Desserts
Cool down with a bowl of Beihai's signature sweet potato soup, available at Yipin Sweet Soup on Jiefang Road for 6 RMB. Another local favorite is coconut milk jelly, sold by street vendors near Silver Beach for 5 RMB. For a unique experience, try the durian-flavored ice cream at Ice Age Dessert at 23 Changle Road, priced at 12 RMB per scoop.
πΊ Evening Food Markets
As night falls, the Beihai Night Market on Beihai Avenue comes alive with food stalls. Try the grilled squid skewers (10 RMB) and the spicy crawfish (30 RMB per portion). For a drink, grab a bottle of local Zhujiang beer from nearby convenience stores to pair with your snacks.
π° Budget Tips
Most street food items cost between 3 and 15 RMB, making Beihai very affordable for food lovers. For a full meal at a mid-range restaurant, budget around 80-120 RMB per person. Avoid eating at tourist-heavy spots near Silver Beach, where prices can be double; instead, walk a few blocks inland for better value.
π Getting Around for Food
Many food spots are concentrated in the Old Street area and along Beihai Avenue, which are easily walkable. For farther destinations like Waisha Island, take a taxi or use a ride-hailing app for around 15 RMB from the city center. Public buses also run along major routes, with fares starting at 2 RMB.
The guide is right about the Old Street, but if you want the best grilled oysters, skip the main strip and walk down the side alley across from the clock tower. There's a woman there who shucks them fresh and tops each one with a mix of minced garlic, fermented black beans, and a tiny dab of butter, it's 12 RMB for six but worth the extra 2 RMB. I usually grab a bag of those pickled mango slices from the cart near the alley entrance to reset my palate between orders.
honestly the guide nails the big stuff but one thing i always tell people is to hit the dai pai dong style stalls near the north gate of Zhongshan Park around 7pm. there's this old guy who sets up a tiny charcoal grill and does these squid tentacles that are way better than the night market ones, chewier and smokier, 8 RMB for a skewer. he's usually there unless it rains, just follow the smoke and the line of locals
This guide covers the big names well. I'd add that the sandworm porridge at Laojie is good, but I actually prefer the version from the morning market on Heping Road. They use a bit more ginger and white pepper, which cuts through the richness better, and it's only 6 RMB a bowl.
One thing the guide doesn't mention is the local snack of pickled mango slices. You'll see them sold from glass jars on pushcarts around the Old Street, especially near the clock tower. They're tart, slightly sweet, and sprinkled with chili salt, a great palate cleanser between heavy seafood dishes for about 3 RMB a bag.
For the Waisha Seafood Island, try to go on a weekday evening if you can. The weekends get packed with tour groups and the service can slow down noticeably. The steamed crab is a solid choice, but the stir-fried conch with chives is what the locals usually order.