Located in the southwest area of China, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region possesses a charming city in the south - Beihai. Due to Beihai's advantageous position, lying on the northeastern bank of Beibu Gulf, it is known as an excellent tourist city. It is a hub city connecting the southwest of China to Southeast Asia while lying adjacent to Guangdong, Hainan, Hong Kong, Macau and Viet Nam. Beihai is a beautiful and romantic city boasting subtropical seaside scenery.
Two thousand years ago, Beihai was one of the two departure harbors of China's famous 'Silk Road on the Sea'. Beihai has experienced a long history of being open to tourists. This has contributed to the large number of international tourists found in the city. Facing the Beibu Gulf, the climate in Beihai is very pleasant: sufficient sunlight, abundant rainfall, luxuriant plants, green grass and beautiful flowers flourish in its fresh air. Beihai people are proud of their quality of air as it is regarded as the best in China, containing a high content of negative oxygen ions having the ability to dispel aches, reduce fatigue and blood pressure whilst bringing about a sense of relaxation. More than ten non-local nursing homes and recovery centers are built in Beihai thereby providing perfect facilities for the aged. Many people, both home and abroad, choose to live in Beihai, as it is regarded as one of China's four most liveable cities. (Zhuhai, Beihai, Weihai, and Xiamen)
Beihai boasts many scenic areas displaying modern gardening techniques. Such scenic places include the Beibu Gulf Square, Silver Beach, Weizhou Island and Xingdao Lake. Many human and cultural scenic spots also form part of Beihai including Dongpo Pavilion, and Wenchang Pagoda. Many national tourist resort regions can be found in Beihai. The exit procedure for travel by sea from Beihai to Xialong in Viet Nam has been made easier making it more convenient to travel to Viet Nam.
A strong communication network has formed in Beihai and the transportation is fast and convenient either by sea, by road or by air. Beihai Fucheng Airport is one of the three big airports in Guangxi. There are trains to many cities in China and many highroads are in use. Beihai's harbor makes it easy to travel within China and abroad. Within the city there are limited bus lines thus pedicabs are very popular. Cheaper than a taxi, it provides tourists with the opportunity to see the beautiful local sights.
Dining in Beihai is attractive and provides many types of cuisine within close proximity Guangdong, Shandong, Hunan, Sichuan and Zhejiang Cuisines are readily available. Of course there are also many restaurants serving western-style food. Seafood is popular in Beihai due to its proximity to the seafood market situated on its shoreline. Fish, shrimp, shellfish and crab are readily available. The blowing sea breeze adds to the fun of eating seafood.
As a beautiful garden seaside city in the south of China, it is no exaggeration to say Beihai is a present given by Mother Nature. It is welcoming to all tourists from home and abroad.
The fisherfolk of Dan Family, a group of traditional people who live on the cockleboats in Beihai, can provide valuable information relating to the local culture. The Dan family is known according to their way of life: Hao (oyster) Dan makes a living by collecting oysters and fishing; Zhu (pearl) Dan makes a living by collecting pearls and fishing in the shallow sea while Yu (fishing) Dan makes a living solely from fishing. The fisherfolk of Dan Family are bold and unconstrained, passionate and romantic, and like singing folk songs. The Dan family integrates a number of traditions in wedding and funeral ceremonies believing in a number of superstitions. The Dan family place significance to the Zhongyuan (Hungry Ghost) Festival and Yapo Festival. The performance about the Dan Family Folk-custom during this time is held on Waisha Island in Beihai and reflects a deep commitment to Beihai's culture providing visitors with valuable knowledge regarding the local way of life.

Travelers' Voices on Beihai City
1.
Jun. 25,2009 12:34 Reply
Mr.Glynn(USA) said:
I would like to know the good economical ways to travel from Shenzhen and also Guangzhou to Beihai City.
Bus, rail, or airline?
Jun. 25,2009 22:31
Mr.Jason Loo(CN) replied:
Because there is no train from Shenzhen or Guangzhou to Beihai, the most economical way should be going there by bus.
The Guangzhou Provincial Bus Station has the most buses to Beihai City, Guangxi respectivly at 09:10, 11:00, 13:00, 20:50 and 23:00. The fare is 180RMB per person and the journey is about 10~12 hours.
The Futian Bus Station of Shenzhen has four buses to Beihai everyday respectively at 08:15, 19:30, 20:20 and 21:30. The fare is 200RMB and takes about 12~14 hours.
2.
Jun. 10,2009 21:20 Reply
Mr.Alexander(Philippine) said:
I'm a Philippine passport holder. Now, I am visiting Vietnam. Then, I want to go t Beihai, China. Could you tell me how to travel to Beihai from Hanoi and where I can apply for Chinese visa? Must I go back to Philippine for the application? I will appreciate you very much if you can give me a reply.
Jun. 11,2009 02:47
Ms.Evelyn(China) replied:
As I know, there are three bus stations in Hanoi. They are Gia Lam, Kim Ma and Giap Bat bus stations. I don't know which bus station provides the buses to Mong Cai City. You may go to ask for that. Mong Cai is a border city, neighboring on Beihai, China. After you arrive at Mong Cai, cross the Dongxing border and you can enter Beihai.
You can apply China visa in Vietnam. The Embassy of China in Vietnam is located at 46 Hoang Dieu Road, Hanoi, Vietnam (P. O. Box 13)