Major city · China
Beihai北海
Give Beihai 2 nights for Silver Beach and Old Street, or 3 if you add Weizhou Island; skip it in Jul–Aug, when rain and heat peak.
Beihai is a Gulf of Tonkin port city in Guangxi, about 1.5 h by high-speed train from Nanning and the ferry gateway to Weizhou Island. It is a domestic beach and seafood destination, not a foreign-tourist hub: English is thin outside hotels, and the draw is cheap seafood, a long grey-sand beach and a colonial-era Old Street. Two nights covers the city; three lets you sleep on Weizhou.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- Oct–Apr (dry, mild); Mar–Apr and Oct–Nov best
- avoid Jul–Aug (heavy rain, 30°C (86°F)+), Chinese New Year weekavoid Jul–Aug (heavy rain, 86°F (30°C)+), Chinese New Year week
- Airport
- BHY
- Nights
- 2–3
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 Beihai110 ▾
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 Beihai, 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
- SafetyBeihai is generally safe for tourists; the real risks are overcharging by motorbike taxis and seafood billed per 500 g…
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.
- AirportBHY Beihai Fucheng Airport (Small, about 24 km (15 mi) from the centre; flights from Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Kunming…BHY Beihai Fucheng Airport (Small, about 15 mi (24 km) from the centre; flights from Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Kunming…
- Getting aroundTaxis and Didi are cheap and easy; taxis should run a meter plus a ¥1 (≈ under US$1) surcharge.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealBowl of noodles or rice plate¥10–25 (≈ US$2–4)
- Beerdraught in a bar / can at a shop¥15–30 (≈ US$3–5)¥5–8 (≈ US$1–2)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi across the centrePlus ¥1 meter surcharge.¥15–30 (≈ US$3–5)
- Metro or bus rideCity bus rideExact change.¥1–2 (≈ under US$1)
- Museum or sight ticketSilver Beach entryA free stretch of the same sand is reachable past the old parking lot.¥100 (≈ US$14)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personCN¥40 (≈ US$6)
- Mid-range bedDouble room, mid-range hotel, a night, per roomCN¥250 (≈ US$35)
- High-end bedDouble room, mid-range hotel, a night, per roomCN¥500 (≈ US$70)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥200 (≈ US$30) · Mid CN¥400 (≈ US$60) · High CN¥800 (≈ US$120)
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
- BHY Beihai Fucheng Airport (Small, about 24 km (15 mi) from the centre; flights from Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Kunming, Guilin and Guiyang (check schedules).)BHY Beihai Fucheng Airport (Small, about 15 mi (24 km) from the centre; flights from Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Kunming, Guilin and Guiyang (check schedules).)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Feb
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Mar
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Apr
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
May
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jun
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Nov
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Dec
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Best: Oct–Apr. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jun (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C) low), wettest Jul (19 rain days), driest Dec (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Beihai: 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
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
Feb
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
9 rd
Mar
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
11 rd
Apr
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11 rd
May
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
19 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
19 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14 rd
Oct
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9 rd
Nov
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7 rd
Dec
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6 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
Taxis and Didi are cheap and easy; taxis should run a meter plus a ¥1 surcharge. Motorbike taxis and tricycles quote by negotiation — agree the price first. City buses cost ¥1–2, exact change into the box, and mostly stop running at night. Hellobike share bikes unlock through Alipay.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Weizhou Island
overnightDoor to door: 3–4 h with boarding
Ferry from Beihai International Passenger Terminal, about 1.5 h
Three sailings a day, ¥150–180 one way; sleep one night on the island.
Hepu
goDoor to door: About 2 h
Bus from the city terminals, about 1 h
Han-dynasty tombs and a restored temple; half a day.
Dongxing
cautionDoor to door: 3–4 h
Bus toward the Vietnam border, about 3 h
Border town with water parks; long for a day return.
Door to door: 3–4 h
Bus from Guangdong Rd terminal, about 3 h, ¥60 (≈ US$9)
Better as a through-stop than a day trip.
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.
Beibuwan Square
City centre; buses start here, cinemas and malls nearby, mid-range hotels on Sichuan Rd.
Old Street / Haicheng
Colonial street, bars and nightlife; walkable at night, bus 3 to the centre.
Silver Beach / Yinhai
Beach first: resorts and the Seahouse hostel at Qiaogang, 50 m from the sand; 30–40 min by bus or taxi to the centre.
Qiaogang
Vietnamese-Chinese refugee quarter; cheap food, guesthouses, close to the beach.
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
- ¥150–250 (≈ US$25–35) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥300–500 (≈ US$45–70) excl. bed
- High
- ¥700 (≈ US$100)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room, mid-range hotel1 × 2 nights × CN¥250 | CN¥500 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × CN¥400 | CN¥1,600 |
| Airport bus or taxi, both ways2 × CN¥60 | CN¥120 |
| Weizhou ferry, return2 × CN¥320 | CN¥640 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × CN¥70 | CN¥140 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CN¥300 |
| Trip total≈ CN¥825 per person per day, bed included | CN¥3,300≈ US$500 |
2026 estimate in yuan; flights and long-distance rail excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Bowl of noodles or rice plate | ¥10–25 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Seafood meal, per personPriced per 500 g at markets; confirm the total first. | ¥50–120 (≈ US$7–17) |
| Beer: draught in a bar / can at a shop | ¥15–30 (≈ US$3–5) / ¥5–8 (≈ US$1–2) |
| City bus rideExact change. | ¥1–2 (≈ under US$1) |
| Taxi across the centrePlus ¥1 meter surcharge. | ¥15–30 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Silver Beach entryA free stretch of the same sand is reachable past the old parking lot. | ¥100 (≈ US$14) |
| Underwater World entry | ¥100 (≈ US$14) |
| Jinhaiwan Mangrove Forest entry | ¥90 (≈ US$13) incl. sightseeing vehicle |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Seafood is often priced per 500 g (jin); ask the total before ordering, especially on Waisha Seafood Island.
- Motorbike taxis and tricycles overcharge visitors: agree the fare before you get on.
- Buses largely stop before midnight; plan a taxi back from Old Street.
- Summer brings heavy rain and typhoon-season downpours; check ferry status before a Weizhou crossing.
- English is not widespread outside hotels; have addresses in Chinese characters.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire
- 119
- Ambulance
- 120
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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Beihai北海
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
请到这个地址To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire119
- Ambulance120
Embassy
No embassies in Beihai; your country's embassy is in Beijing and most consulates-general are in Guangzhou or Nanning (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Beihai → Nanning high-speed train: about 1.5 h
- Ferry Beihai → Weizhou: ¥150–180 (≈ US$25–30) one way, about 1.5 h
- Taxi centre → Silver Beach: ¥30–50 (≈ US$5–7)
Say or show
- 你好 — Hello (nǐ hǎo)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xiè xiè)
- 多少钱？ — How much is it? (duō shǎo qián)
- 可以手机支付吗？ — Can I pay by phone? (kě yǐ shǒu jī zhī fù ma)
- 不要辣 — No chilli, please (bú yào là)
- 洗手间在哪里？ — Where is the toilet? (xǐ shǒu jiān zài nǎ lǐ)
Carry your passport; hotels register foreign guests on check-in.
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 Beihai. 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: Oct–Apr (dry, mild); Mar–Apr and Oct–Nov best · avoid Jul–Aug (heavy rain, 30°C+), Chinese New Year week · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for BHY: last bus and taxi fallback, plus the Nanning high-speed rail alternative.
- Four walking clusters with anchors: Beibuwan Square, Old Street, Silver Beach and Qiaogang, Waisha seafood island.
- Place pages with verified hours and fees (Old Street, Underwater World, Jinhaiwan Mangrove, Silver Beach) and eat pages with per-jin pricing notes.
- Ferry-status and typhoon fixtures so Weizhou crossings can go green.