Major city · China
Qinhuangdao秦皇岛
Go for 2 nights if you want the Great Wall meeting the sea at Shanhaiguan plus a beach day; skip it if you have under 3 days in China.
Qinhuangdao is where the Great Wall runs into the Bohai Sea, 2 hours by fast train from Beijing. The city is really four separate places strung along the coast: Shanhaiguan (the wall and the old fort), Haigang (the port city centre), Beidaihe (the beach resort) and the Changli coast (newer resorts and the dune art museum). Two nights covers the wall and one beach; three lets you slow down. It is a summer city: beaches are packed in July and August and much of the resort strip shuts down in winter.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct (check: seasonal conditions are approximate; Jul–Aug is the wettest and busiest stretch)
- avoid Jul–Aug (rain, crowds, peak prices), Dec–Mar (cold, many resorts closed) — check
- Airports
- BPE · PEK · TSN
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Qinhuangdao110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Qinhuangdao, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Alipay and WeChat Pay accept Visa, Mastercard, JCB and Amex cards; single payments over ¥200 (≈ US$30) carry a fee of about 3% on a foreign card (smaller ones…China-wide
- SIM or eSIMA roaming eSIM from outside China routes traffic through its home network, so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work without a VPN — the simplest setup.China-wide
- Tap waterNot for drinking from the tap; bottled water ¥2–5 (≈ under US$1), and kettles and free bottles in hotel rooms.China-wide
- TippingRestaurants: No tip; upmarket hotels add 10–15% service.China-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/I. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.China-wide
- SafetyLow street crime; the real risks are summer crowds and heat, unmetered taxis at stations, pickpockets on packed buses…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are frequent and free; squat toilets outside hotels and malls.China-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire · 120 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums and palaces close on Mondays; the Forbidden City too (outside holidays).China-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBPE Qinhuangdao Beidaihe Airport (Small; a few daily domestic flights (Shanghai, Shijiazhuang, Qingdao).
- Getting aroundThe city is a long coastal strip, so buses and taxis do the work.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Sit-down mealSeafood dinner by the coastcheck¥80–200 (≈ US$12–30)
- Street or quick mealNoodle or rice meal, local restaurantcheck¥20–50 (≈ US$3–7)
- Beerdraught in a bar / can at a shopcheck¥25–40 (≈ US$4–6)¥5–10 (≈ US$1–2)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi3.1 mi (5 km) taxicheck; meter, agree the fare first near stations¥15–25 (≈ US$3–4)
- Metro or bus rideCity bus ridecheck¥1–2 (≈ under US$1)
- Museum or sight ticketOld Dragon Head entrycheck¥60 (≈ US$9)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personCN¥60 (≈ US$9)
- Mid-range bedDouble room, mid hotel, a night, per roomCN¥350 (≈ US$50)
- High-end bedDouble room, mid hotel, a night, per roomCN¥700 (≈ US$100)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥300 (≈ US$45) · Mid CN¥600 (≈ US$85) · High CN¥1,200 (≈ US$170)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BPE Qinhuangdao Beidaihe Airport (Small; a few daily domestic flights (Shanghai, Shijiazhuang, Qingdao). Far from the coast — check the transfer before booking.) · PEK Beijing Capital International (Fast train from Beijing is usually faster than flying via BPE; direct airport bus to Qinhuangdao exists, about 4 h, ¥150.) · TSN Tianjin Binhai International (Useful if you are routing through Tianjin; train onward from Tianjin takes about 2 h.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Feb
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Mar
Avoid
9°C (49°F)49°F (9°C)
Apr
not flagged
16°C (62°F)62°F (16°C)
May
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
Best
26°C (78°F)78°F (26°C)
Jul
Avoid
28°C (83°F)83°F (28°C)
Aug
Avoid
29°C (83°F)83°F (29°C)
Sep
Best
25°C (78°F)78°F (25°C)
Oct
Best
19°C (65°F)65°F (19°C)
Nov
not flagged
10°C (49°F)49°F (10°C)
Dec
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (29°C (83°F)83°F (29°C)), coolest Jan (−11°C (13°F)13°F (−11°C) low), wettest Jul (171 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Qinhuangdao: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−11°C (13°F)13°F (−11°C)
2 rd
Feb
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
4 rd
Mar
9°C (49°F)49°F (9°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
8 rd
Apr
16°C (62°F)62°F (16°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
24 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
48 rd
Jun
26°C (78°F)78°F (26°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
86 rd
Jul
28°C (83°F)83°F (28°C)
22°C (71°F)71°F (22°C)
171 rd
Aug
29°C (83°F)83°F (29°C)
21°C (69°F)69°F (21°C)
164 rd
Sep
25°C (78°F)78°F (25°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
47 rd
Oct
19°C (65°F)65°F (19°C)
7°C (44°F)44°F (7°C)
28 rd
Nov
10°C (49°F)49°F (10°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
15 rd
Dec
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
4 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The city is a long coastal strip, so buses and taxis do the work. City buses cost ¥1–2; taxis are cheap but drivers rarely speak English — have your destination written in Chinese. Trains link Shanhaiguan, Qinhuangdao station and Beidaihe, and are often quicker than the road in summer.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Jiumenkou Great Wall
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h each way
Taxi from Qinhuangdao, ¥40–50 (≈ US$6–7) one way (check)
The only wall section built over a river, with a wall tunnel; allow 3 h on site and agree the return fare first.
Beijing
overnightDoor to door: About 2 h by train (check); add time to and from the stations
Fast train from Qinhuangdao station
Not a day trip; use it as your arrival or exit leg.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Shanhaiguan
Best for the wall: walk to Old Dragon Head and the old town gates. Quiet at night.
Haigang (city centre)
Main rail station, cheapest beds, most restaurants and bars. No beach.
Beidaihe
Beach resort strip; hotels fill and prices spike in Jul–Aug. Many places close in winter.
Changli coast (Nandaihe, Aranya)
Newer resorts and the dune art museum; needs a taxi or car for everything.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥250–450 (≈ US$35–65) excl. bed (check)
- Mid
- ¥450–900 (≈ US$65–130) excl. bed (check)
- High
- ¥900 (≈ US$130)+ excl. bed (check)
Trip budget
| Double room, mid hotel1 × 2 nights × CN¥350 | CN¥700 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × CN¥600 | CN¥2,400 |
| Fast train Beijing → Qinhuangdao, one way2 × CN¥93 · check | CN¥186 |
| Old Dragon Head + First Pass tickets2 × CN¥110 · check | CN¥220 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × CN¥120 · check | CN¥240 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CN¥375 |
| Trip total≈ CN¥1,030 per person per day, bed included | CN¥4,121≈ US$600 |
check
2026 estimate in yuan, mostly check; long-distance trains and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| City bus ridecheck | ¥1–2 (≈ under US$1) |
| Noodle or rice meal, local restaurantcheck | ¥20–50 (≈ US$3–7) |
| Seafood dinner by the coastcheck | ¥80–200 (≈ US$12–30) |
| Beer: draught in a bar / can at a shopcheck | ¥25–40 (≈ US$4–6) / ¥5–10 (≈ US$1–2) |
| 5 km taxicheck; meter, agree the fare first near stations | ¥15–25 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Old Dragon Head entrycheck | ¥60 (≈ US$9) |
| First Pass under Heaven entrycheck | ¥50 (≈ US$7) |
| UCCA Dune Art Museum entrycheck; closed Mondays | ¥80 (≈ US$12) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Taxi drivers at the railway stations often refuse the meter and quote inflated flat fares: insist on the meter or walk out.
- Buses are cheap and crowded; keep bags in front of you.
- Beaches are packed and hotel prices jump in Jul–Aug; book weeks ahead.
- Many Beidaihe and Changli resorts and restaurants close or run reduced hours from November to March.
- Most of the 'old town' was rebuilt in the 2000s and is often nearly empty after dark — do not expect a lived-in historic quarter.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire
- 119
- Ambulance
- 120
Pocket card
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Qinhuangdao秦皇岛
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
请到这个地址To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire119
- Ambulance120
Embassy
No US or UK embassy here; embassies are in Beijing, with consulates-general in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Fast train Beijing → Qinhuangdao: about ¥93 (≈ US$14), about 2 h (check)
- Taxi within Shanhaiguan: about ¥10 (≈ US$2) (check)
- Airport bus from Beijing Capital: about ¥150 (≈ US$25), about 4 h (check)
Say or show
- 你好 — Hello (nǐ hǎo)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xièxie)
- 多少钱？ — How much is it? (duōshao qián)
- 请打表 — Please use the meter (qǐng dǎ biǎo)
- 我听不懂 — I don't understand (wǒ tīng bu dǒng)
- 洗手间在哪里？ — Where is the toilet? (xǐshǒujiān zài nǎlǐ)
Cash is rarely needed: set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before you fly.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Qinhuangdao. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Jun, Sep–Oct (check: seasonal conditions are approximate; Jul–Aug is the wettest and busiest stretch) · avoid Jul–Aug (rain, crowds, peak prices), Dec–Mar (cold, many resorts closed) — check · month by month →
- 3 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for BPE and the Beijing-train fallback, with last-train times field-checked.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Shanhaiguan old town, Old Dragon Head, Haigang centre, Beidaihe seafront.
- Place pages with verified hours and ticket prices (Old Dragon Head, First Pass, Great Wall Museum, UCCA Dune) and eat pages with last orders.
- Summer-peak and winter-closure fixtures so gates A–D can go green.