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Things to Do in Xingcheng (2026)
Xingcheng Ancient City is one of the best-preserved Ming dynasty walled towns in China, with its original layout and many restored buildings. Start at the South Gate onβ¦ π― Explore the Ancient City
Xingcheng Ancient City is one of the best-preserved Ming dynasty walled towns in China, with its original layout and many restored buildings. Start at the South Gate on Chunhe Street, where you can climb the wall for 50 yuan (8:00-17:30). Inside, don't miss the Xingcheng Confucian Temple and the General's Mansion, former home of Ming general Yuan Chonghuan. The city is compact and walkable, so allow at least half a day to wander the main streets and side alleys.
ποΈ Relax on the Beaches
Xingcheng's coastline along the Bohai Sea offers several sandy beaches, with Xingcheng Beach (also known as Haibin Beach) being the most popular. It's a 15-minute taxi ride from the ancient city (about 15 yuan) and has changing rooms, umbrellas, and seafood stalls. The water is calm and shallow, making it safe for swimming from June to September. For a quieter spot, head to Juhua Island, accessible by a short ferry from Xingcheng Port, where you can enjoy cleaner water and fewer crowds.
β°οΈ Hike the First Mountain
Shoushan (First Mountain) is a scenic area just north of the ancient city, known for its temples and panoramic views. The entrance fee is 30 yuan, and the hike to the summit takes about an hour on well-marked paths. Along the way, you'll pass the Chaoyang Temple and several pavilions where you can rest. The best time to go is early morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat and catch the sunrise or sunset over the city and sea.
π¦ Feast on Seafood
Xingcheng is famous for its fresh seafood, especially at the Dongfeng Market near the beach, where you can pick your own fish, crabs, and shellfish and have them cooked at nearby stalls. Expect to pay around 100-200 yuan for a hearty meal for two. The night market on Xinghai North Street comes alive after 6 PM with grilled squid, scallops, and local beer. Don't leave without trying the Xingcheng specialty, 'sea intestine' dumplings, a unique local dish.
π² Cycle the Coastal Road
Renting a bike is a great way to explore the coast between the ancient city and the beach area. Many guesthouses and shops near the South Gate offer rentals for about 20-30 yuan per day. The coastal road is flat and scenic, passing through fishing villages and offering plenty of spots to stop for photos. A full loop from the ancient city to Juhua Island and back takes around three to four hours at a leisurely pace.
ποΈ Visit the Museum
The Xingcheng Museum, located on Xinghai North Street, provides context on the region's history from the Ming dynasty to the present. Admission is free, and it's open from 9:00 to 16:30, closed on Mondays. Highlights include artifacts from the ancient city's military past and exhibits on local folk culture. It's a good indoor option if you encounter a rainy day or need a break from the heat.
π Catch the Sunset
The western side of Xingcheng, particularly around the fishing port, offers spectacular sunset views over the Bohai Sea. Head to the pier area around 6:30 PM in summer to watch the sky turn orange and pink. Local photographers often gather near the lighthouse at the end of the breakwater. After the sun sets, you can enjoy a fresh seafood dinner at one of the nearby restaurants.
π Join a Festival
If you're visiting in late July or early August, don't miss the Xingcheng Sea Festival, which features dragon boat races, folk performances, and fireworks. The ancient city also hosts a lantern festival during the Lunar New Year, with traditional lantern displays and street food. Check local listings for exact dates, as they vary slightly each year. These events offer a lively glimpse into local culture and are family-friendly.
good writeup, the detail on Shoushan timing is spot on.
one thing worth flagging for anyone coming in summer: the ancient city gets genuinely brutal midday, like 35C with no shade on the main streets. i always duck into the Confucian Temple courtyard around noon, the old cypress trees there keep it 5 degrees cooler and almost nobody's inside. good place to just sit and reset before the afternoon.
also the bike rental tip is solid but check the tires before u pay, half the guesthouse bikes near the South Gate have slow leaks and you'll end up pushing it back from Juhua. the shop right on the corner of Chunhe and the north street had the best maintained ones when i was there last.
solid writeup, covers most of teh bases. one thing i'd add is the hot springs out near Shoushan, like the Tangshangquan area. locals go in winter when the sea stuff is dead and its honestly one of the better things to do here from nov to march. cost is maybe 80-150 depending on which bathhouse.
also on the seafood tip, skip Dongfeng if you want it cheaper and go to the small market off Xinghai North near the port, same freshness way less tourist tax.
appreciate the writeup, saved me a bunch of googling before my trip last month.
one thing nobody mentioned yet: the timing on Juhua Island ferries is tighter than it sounds. last boat back is around 4:30pm in shoulder season and they won't run if the wind picks up, so don't leave it till late afternoon or you're paying for a fisherman to bring u back. i learned that the annoying way.
also for the sea intestine dumplings, the good ones are at the tiny place on the east side of the old town near the drum tower, not the big restaurants on the main drag. half the price and the filling actually tastes fresh. ask for them pan fried instead of steamed, way better texture.
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3 Days in Xingcheng: Itinerary 2026
Start your trip in Xingcheng's Old Town, a well-preserved Ming Dynasty walled city. Walk the city wall (entrance fee 50 CNY) for panoramic views, then visit the Confucius Templeβ¦ πΊοΈ Day 1: Old Town
Start your trip in Xingcheng's Old Town, a well-preserved Ming Dynasty walled city. Walk the city wall (entrance fee 50 CNY) for panoramic views, then visit the Confucius Temple (open 8:00-17:00). For lunch, try local seafood at a restaurant near the South Gate, where a meal for two costs about 100 CNY.
ποΈ Beach Time
In the afternoon, head to the nearby Xingcheng Beach, just a 10-minute taxi ride (about 15 CNY) from the Old Town. Relax on the sand or rent a beach umbrella for 20 CNY. As the sun sets, take a stroll along the promenade and enjoy the sea breeze.
π Evening Food Walk
For dinner, explore the night market on East Street, which comes alive after 6 PM. Sample local specialties like grilled squid and cold noodles, with most dishes costing between 10 and 30 CNY. End the evening with a cup of local tea at a teahouse near the Drum Tower.
ποΈ Day 2: Coastal Sights
On your second day, take a 30-minute bus ride (line 1, 2 CNY) to the Juhua Island ferry terminal. Catch the ferry to Juhua Island (round trip 100 CNY, departs every hour from 8 AM) and spend the morning exploring its rocky shores and fishing villages. Return to the mainland by early afternoon.
π― Fortress and Gardens
Back on the mainland, visit the Xingcheng Fortress, a 17th-century military stronghold, just a 15-minute walk from the ferry terminal. The entrance fee is 40 CNY, and the site is open until 17:30. Afterward, relax in the nearby Longquan Garden, a peaceful spot with ponds and pavilions, free to enter.
π Getting Around
Xingcheng is compact, and most attractions are within a 20-minute drive of each other. Public buses cost 1-2 CNY, while taxis start at 7 CNY for the first 3 kilometers. For day trips, consider renting a bicycle from your hotel for about 30 CNY per day.
π Day 3: Nature Escape
On your final day, take a 40-minute taxi (around 60 CNY) to the Shoushan National Forest Park, known for its hiking trails and ancient pines. The park opens at 7 AM, and the entrance fee is 60 CNY. Plan to spend at least three hours exploring the main loop trail.
ποΈ Local Souvenirs
Before leaving, stop by the Xingcheng Seafood Market on West Street to buy dried seafood and local snacks as gifts. Prices are negotiable, and a bag of dried shrimp costs about 30 CNY. The market is open from 8 AM to 6 PM, and vendors accept cash or mobile payments.
The guide's solid, but I'd swap Day 3's taxi for the local minibus that runs from the east bus station to Shoushan. It's 8 yuan, takes about 50 minutes, and drops you right at the park gate, plus you get to see the countryside along the way. On the trail, don't skip the side path to the old watchtower near the summit, most people miss it and it's the best view of the coast. For souvenirs, haggle harder at the seafood market, I got a bag of dried scallops for 20 yuan less than the first price they quoted. And if you're there on a weekday, the Confucius Temple is way quieter before 10 AM, the tour groups roll in after that.
this is solid, i did almost this exact route last june. one thing i'd add: skip the bus to juhua island and just grab a taxi, it's like 20-25 yuan and saves you the wait, line 1 can get packed with day trippers. also the night market on east street is good but the grilled squid stalls near the south gate are way better, less touristy and they'll throw in extra chili if u ask. for the fortress, go later in the afternoon, the light hits the walls nice and it's cooler. and if u have time, the little seafood place two doors down from the confucius temple, not the one right at the gate, does a killer steamed prawn dish for like 60 yuan, way better value than the ones on the main strip
good writeup, covers the main spots pretty well. one thing i'd add: grab the ferry to juhua island early, like the 8am one, and eat lunch at one of the tiny places near the dock, not the ones facing the water. i had a bowl of seafood noodles for 15 yuan that beat anything i got in town, the family running it just cooks what came in that morning. also, if you're into the old town, the west gate is way less crowded than the south one and the walk along the wall from there to the drum tower is nicer, less souvenir stalls and more actual old houses. for the forest park, the main loop is fine but the side trail to the east ridge takes you past a small temple that's been there since the qing dynasty, nobody mentions it and it's a good half hour detour. solid plan overall, just pace yourself with the seafood, two big meals a day is plenty.