Formerly a treaty port as well as the fastest growing city in China relatively few people actually know about the port city of Beihai. And it turns out that this city might just a bit of a hidden gem when it comes to traveling in the Middle Kingdom.
What though is there to do in the city, how do you get here and is it all worth it? Here is our Ultimate Beihai Guide.
Back To Beihai
Beihai might not be the first place that springs to mind when you think of China, but this former treaty port on the Gulf of Tonkin has quietly carved out a role as one of Guangxi’s more curious cities. Home to over 1.8 million people, it mixes colonial leftovers with the dust and concrete of modern China. You’ll find French villas decaying next to high-rises, and seafood markets just a tuk-tuk ride away from overpriced bars serving imported baijiu.
Historically, Beihai was carved up by the British in the 19th century and handed back long before anyone outside China had heard of Nanning. These days, it’s better known as the launchpad for trips to Weizhou Island (more on that later) — China’s largest volcanic island and a minor backpacker magnet for those chasing sunsets and barbecued squid.
Back in Beihai proper, you’ve got Silver Beach, which locals claim is the best in China. Whether that’s true or not depends on how long you’ve been travelling in the country. For food, shrimp cakes are the local institution and best eaten on a plastic stool with a warm Liquan beer.
What to do in Beihai Guide?
Beihai isn’t exactly drowning in bucket list attractions, but that’s kind of the point. This is a place where you go slow. Start at Silver Beach, supposedly China’s best beach. It isn’t, but it’s clean enough, long enough, and makes for a decent walk with a cold beer in hand. Locals swim in their clothes, vendors sell grilled squid, and the sunsets do their job.
Hop on a boat to Weizhou Island, easily the best thing about Beihai. It’s volcanic, full of motorbikes, seafood joints, and slightly bizarre Catholic churches left behind by missionaries. Stay overnight if you can as the day-trippers clear out by sunset and the island becomes something else entirely.
Back in town, Beibu Gulf Square is good for people-watching and dodging kids on rollerblades. There’s also the crumbling colonial buildings around Old Street, which are worth a wander if you’re into faded grandeur. Yes it is not Tianjin, but it is still extremely cool to hang out at.
What to eat in Beihai?
Beihai cuisine doesn’t scream for attention. It’s not Sichuan heat or Cantonese flash — it’s coastal, casual, and leans hard into seafood. This is the kind of place where freshness matters more than finesse, and a good meal rarely costs more than a cab ride. Think oysters grilled with garlic, clams in rice wine, and fish so fresh it probably saw you coming.
Start with Steamed Scallops with Garlic (蒜蓉蒸扇贝) — you’ll find them at almost any seafood restaurant, but head to 老街海鲜排档 (Laojie Seafood Stalls) for the real deal. They’re served on the half shell, topped with mung bean noodles, garlic and soy, and cooked just long enough to stay tender.
Next, try Beihai Shrimp Cake (北海虾饼) — deep-fried discs of minced shrimp and vegetables, crispy outside and addictive inside. 疍家阿婆虾饼 (Dan Family Grandma Shrimp Cakes) near the Old Street area is where locals queue without complaint.
Beihai Street Food
In Beihai, street food is all about fresh seafood, grilled delights, and savory snacks that capture the essence of the coastal city.
Start off at Beihai Old Street (北海老街), where you can’t miss the Grilled Oysters (烤生蚝) — smoky, savory, and loaded with garlic and chili. It’s a must-try, and this busy street will give you a real taste of local life as vendors grill their fresh catches on the spot.
Then, head over to Yintan Night Market (银滩夜市) for a different vibe. The market, located near the beach, is packed with stalls serving up Grilled Squid (烤鱿鱼) and Seafood Noodles (海鲜面). You’ll also find Clam Soup (蛤蜊汤), perfect for cooling down after a stroll in the warm coastal air.
Finally, if you want to explore a more local scene, check out Guantang Seafood Market (管塘海鲜市场). You can pick your seafood and have it cooked up in front of you. It’s a great way to get the freshest seafood, and the whole experience is a bit more intimate, without the heavy tourist crowd.
Sleeping in Beihai Guide
When it comes to where to sleep in Beihai, you’ve got a few solid options depending on what kind of experience you want. For budget-friendly but decent stays, you can score a 3-star hotel for around $30-50 a night, with places like Beihai Hotel being a solid choice. If you’re looking for something a little more upmarket, Silver Beach Hotel is a good bet, where you’ll be paying $70-100 for a night with a nice view of the ocean.
But here’s the kicker: if you’re after a real bargain, look into renting an apartment. You can get something decent for $20-40 a night, but remember, these can be hit or miss. Sometimes you’ll get a solid deal, sometimes not so much. It’s all about checking the reviews and seeing if it’s worth the risk.
One thing to keep in mind is that Beihai is seasonal. Winter (October to March) is the best time to visit with milder weather and cheaper prices. If you come in summer, expect higher prices and more tourists.
Getting in and out of Beihai Guide
Getting into and out of Beihai is fairly straightforward, with a mix of options by train, ferry, bus, and air. Here’s a breakdown of the essentials.
By Train: There are regular trains connecting Beihai to cities like Nanning and Guangzhou. For instance, the journey from Beihai to Nanning takes about 1.5 hours, with prices ranging from ¥61 ($9 USD) to ¥98 ($14 USD), depending on the class. Airportia Flight Tracker
By Ferry: Ferries to Weizhou Island depart from Beihai’s International Passenger Port. The trip takes approximately 70 minutes, with ticket prices ranging from ¥120 ($17 USD) for economy class to ¥240 ($34 USD) for VIP cabins.
Additionally, overnight ferries to Haikou on Hainan Island are available. Departing at around 6 PM and arriving the next morning, these ferries offer a convenient way to travel between Beihai and Hainan.
By Bus: Long-distance buses are available from Beihai to various destinations, including Haikou. The journey duration and fares vary depending on the destination.
By Air: Beihai Fucheng Airport (BHY) offers domestic flights to several cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Xi’an, and Hangzhou. Airlines operating from BHY include China Southern, China Eastern, Air China, and Sichuan Airlines.
For international travel, while there are no direct international flights from Beihai, connections can be made via major hubs like Guangzhou or Beijing.
Conclusion on Beihai
While far from a classic YPT destination and indeed not being somewhere we are likely to tour soon, that is not to say it is not without its charms. This is a bit like old school boonies China where people are still friendly and the food scene is great.
This though is also part of a shit sandwich as essentially it means that with this innocence there is Las the fact that relatively few people speak English. If though you do have the courage to plough through, you might find you have found a real gem in the rough.
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