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3 Days in Beihai: Itinerary 2026
Start your Beihai trip at Silver Beach, the city's most famous stretch of white sand. Arrive early around 9 AM to enjoy the calm waters before the crowds. Spend the morning swimmβ¦ πΊοΈ Day 1 Overview
Start your Beihai trip at Silver Beach, the city's most famous stretch of white sand. Arrive early around 9 AM to enjoy the calm waters before the crowds. Spend the morning swimming and sunbathing, then grab a seafood lunch at a beachfront restaurant like Wai Sha Hai Xian.
ποΈ Day 1 Afternoon
After lunch, head to the Beihai Old Street (Zhongshan Road) to explore the historic European-style architecture. The street is about a 15-minute taxi ride from Silver Beach. Visit the Beihai Old Port and the Christian Church, both free to enter. End your afternoon with a coffee at a local cafΓ© like Shi Guang Dao.
π Day 1 Evening
For sunset, walk to the nearby Beihai Beach Park (free entry) and watch the sky change colors over the sea. Dinner can be at the seafood market on Sichuan Road, where you pick fresh catches and have them cooked for around 50-80 CNY per person. Return to your hotel by taxi for about 15 CNY.
ποΈ Day 2 Weizhou Island
Take the 8:30 AM ferry from Beihai International Passenger Port to Weizhou Island (1.5 hours, round-trip ticket about 300 CNY). Rent an electric scooter (60 CNY per day) to explore the island's volcanic landscapes. Visit the Crocodile Mountain Volcano Park (98 CNY) and the colorful Shiluokou Beach.
π Day 2 Local Flavors
For lunch, try the island's famous seafood noodles at a small shop near the harbor, costing around 20 CNY. In the afternoon, stop by the Catholic Church (free) and the Dripping Water Danxia scenic area. Return to Beihai on the 5:00 PM ferry to avoid late crowds.
πΏ Day 3 Nature Escape
On your final day, visit the Guantouling National Forest Park (50 CNY) in the morning. The park is a 30-minute bus ride from the city center (bus 3 or 5). Hike to the observation deck for panoramic views of the coastline and the mangroves below.
ποΈ Day 3 Shopping & Departure
After the park, head to the Beihai Pearl Market on Beibuwan East Road to shop for local pearls and souvenirs. Prices vary, but a strand of freshwater pearls starts around 100 CNY. If time allows, grab a final bowl of Beihai rice noodles at a nearby stall before catching your train or flight.
yo this is a solid itinerary, i've done almost the exact same route a couple times. one thing id add is that on weizhou island, the electric scooter rental is the move but make sure u check the battery before you leave, some shops give u half-charged ones and youll be stuck pushing it back. also for the seafood market on sichuan road, i'd go around 5pm not later, the good stuff sells out fast and the prices jump after 6 when the tourist buses roll in. the pearl market is worth a look but honestly the real deals are at the smaller stalls on the side streets off beibuwan east road, same quality for like 70% of the price.
The guide mentions the 8:30 AM ferry but doesn't say you should book it at least a couple days ahead if you're going in summer or during any Chinese holiday. I showed up in July thinking I'd just buy a ticket at the counter and the 8:30 was sold out, had to wait for the 10:30 which threw off the whole island schedule. Also if you're not a strong swimmer, skip the water at Shiluokou Beach on Weizhou, the currents there can be surprisingly strong and there's not much lifeguard presence. The beach near the Catholic Church is calmer and just as pretty for a dip.
this is a really well planned out trip, one thing i'd tweak is day 1 afternoon. instead of heading straight to old street after silver beach, grab the bus 106 from near the beach entrance to the zhongshan road stop, it's like 2 yuan vs the 15 yuan taxi and drops you right at the start of the pedestrian section. also for day 3, guantouling is nice but if you're short on time skip the park and do the mangroves at jintan instead, it's a 10 minute bus from the city and you can walk right out onto the boardwalks for free, the park charges 50 for basically the same view from higher up. the rice noodle spot near the pearl market on beibuwan east road is called lao you ji, get the dry mixed ones with extra chili oil, it's like 8 yuan and way better than the soup version most tourists order
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