Star Island Lake Scenic Area (Xingdao Lake)

Silver Beach (Yintan)

Silver Beach stretches 24 km and is billed as “China’s No. 1 Beach”, with a sandy area larger than the combined beach areas of Beidaihe, Qingdao, Dalian, Yantai and Xiamen. Mornings and evenings are when Silver Beach is at its most beautiful. Swimming, watching the sunrise or sunset, or strolling along the fine, soft sand is a pleasure in itself. Silver Beach is also known as Guangxi’s “football city”. It draws large crowds, so if you are after tranquillity, it may not be your first choice.

Free · 2–4 hours

Weizhou Island

Visiting Beihai without going to Weizhou Island is a regret, although the island is far from paradise. If you expect crystal-clear, deep-blue water and compare it with Sanya or even the Maldives, you will almost certainly leave disappointed. Visitors are genuinely divided about China’s largest and youngest volcanic island: they praise its raw, simple island life, yet that same rawness brings a wildness that is at the root of Weizhou’s criticism. The fine sand and emerald water cannot match Sanya for swimming and diving, but the island is an excellent place to experience fishing-village life. Stay in a fishermen’s guesthouse, enjoy a family-style seafood feast, and in your free time admire Sesame Beach (芝麻滩) and Dishui Danping (滴水丹屏). You can also visit the island’s churches and the Volcanic Crater Park, or head to Shiluo Kou (石螺口) for a swim. These are the choices most visitors make. This is also one of the best spots to see the sun slanting across the whole of Xieyang Island (斜阳岛).

¥108 · 1–2 days

Crocodile Mountain Volcano Park

This is the best place to see the most complete remains of volcanic activity on the island. The park includes Crocodile Mountain Lighthouse, the volcanic crater site, Dragon Palace Exploration, Hundred Beasts Frolicking in the Sea, coral sedimentary rock, and Haikushilan (Seas Dry, Stones Rot), along with other geological wonders such as volcanic bomb impact craters, fossilised ancient trees, and Water Curtain Cave. The island's landmark, the lighthouse, serves as a guiding light for fishermen. From the observation deck at the top, you can gaze out over the boundless blue coastline and, on clear days, make out the city of Beihai in the distance.

Included in the Weizhou Island pass; sightseeing shuttle ¥20 per person · 3–4 hours

Beihai Century-Old Street (Zhongshan Road)

A street nearly 200 years old, famed for its architecture. Most buildings are two or three storeys tall. Built on the foundations of Lingnan architecture, they absorb elements of late 19th-century Western styles from Britain, France and Germany. The arched window tops along the street facades feature flowing, finely carved mouldings, and the craftsmanship is exquisite. The arcaded sections extend out over the road, sheltering pedestrians from wind, rain and scorching sun. Old shops, wine houses, folk-craft stores and snack stalls lining the street evoke memories of its former bustling prosperity.

2–3 hours

Yingluo Mangrove Forest

Aptly called an undersea forest, this is visible only at low tide, when the interlocking roots and canopies of the continuous primeval red mangrove forest create a spectacular, criss-crossing landscape. It is also the habitat of the dugong (nicknamed the “mermaid”), a national first-class protected animal.

¥15 · 3 hours

Fangchenggang

Fangchenggang is a distinctive port city, border city and bay city. Must-visit spots in Fangchenggang include Wanwei Golden Beach, an excellent place to watch the sunset; Dongxing Port, China's only national first-class land-and-sea port directly connected to Vietnam; Bailang Beach, formerly known as “Daping Slope”, with its wide, flat sands ideal for playing in the sea and surf; Guaishi Beach, also called the “Red Cliff at Sea”; the Sino-Vietnamese Friendship Bridge, a link of friendship between the peoples of China and Vietnam that bears witness to the two nations' historical vicissitudes; and Xianren Mountain Park, where you can take in the panoramic views of Fangchenggang from the summit.