Beihai Travel Guide — Silver Beach, Weizhou Island & the South Pearl Sea

Weizhou Island: crater, church & sunset. Take bus 3 to the International Passenger Terminal and the first ferry (about 08:00–08:30, ordinary cabin RMB 120, crossing 1–1.5 h) to Weizhou Island (entry about RMB 98). Rent a bicycle (RMB 20) or electric moped (RMB 60): ride to the Crocodile Hill volcanic crater geopark for the lava and sea-eroded shapes, then the coral Catholic church in Shengtang village, built of island rock in the late 19th century. Lunch on Nanwan harbour seafood, then Shiluokou beach and the Dishui Danping dripping cliff for sunset. Stay on the island (Gangdao Hotel sea view from ~RMB 360, or Zhuzai Bar hostel dorm beds ~RMB 28) to catch the Wucai Beach sunrise at dawn.

Silver Beach, aquarium & Old Street. Watch the sunrise from Wucai Beach (the sesame-sand flats at dawn), then take the mid-morning ferry back to the mainland (about 10:00–11:30). Afternoon: Underwater World (about RMB 148, dive shows at 09:00/10:00/11:00/14:00/15:00/16:00), then bus 3 to Silver Beach for the late-afternoon swim and the 5,200-nozzle 'Chao' fountain at dusk. Finish on Zhuhai Road Old Street (1883, free) for shrimp cakes at Li Yi and a wander under the qilou arcade.

Weizhou Island. First ferry (about 08:00–08:30, RMB 120–180) to Weizhou Island (entry ~RMB 98). Cycle or moped to the Crocodile Hill crater geopark, the Shengtang coral Catholic church , Shiluokou beach and Dishui Danping sunset. Overnight on the island for the Wucai Beach sunrise.

The city: aquariums, beach & Old Street. Morning ferry back, then Underwater World (~RMB 148) and Ocean Window (~RMB 147, the 11 m-diameter tank with six fish-and-shark shows a day). Afternoon bus 3 to Silver Beach and the 'Chao' fountain at dusk; evening on Zhuhai Road Old Street for shrimp cakes and the qilou arcade.

Mangrove & headland. Morning at Golden Bay Mangrove (~RMB 20, plus cart ~RMB 60) — the boardwalk through the sea-forest among egrets. Late afternoon out to Guantou Ridge (bus 6 to the terminus, 8 km west) for the 120 m headland view, the sea-eroded rocks and the fishing-boat lights at dusk before the return.

Weizhou Island. First ferry to Weizhou Island : the Crocodile Hill crater, the coral Catholic church, Shiluokou beach and Dishui Danping sunset, with the Wucai Beach sunrise the next dawn. Return to the mainland by afternoon ferry.

Beihai city. Morning Silver Beach and the 'Chao' fountain, the Underwater World or Ocean Window aquarium, then Zhuhai Road Old Street (the 1883 arcade) and the Beibu Gulf Square 'South Pearl Soul' sculpture. Prepare your ID and give the agency three working days to arrange the cross-border permits.

To Halong Bay. Overland to the Dongxing border crossing, clear through to Mong Cai, then on to Halong city (about 180 km, 4 hours, or speedboat). Board a wooden cruise for the karst seascape — 3,600 limestone islets over 1,500 square km, Fighting Cocks Islet, Dog Stone and the Heavenly Grotto — buying fresh catch from the fishing boats to be cooked on board.

Hanoi & return. Morning to Hanoi: Ba Dinh Square, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the One-Pillar Pagoda and the 36 Old Streets, with a water-puppet show in the evening. After lunch the coach returns via Dongxing to Beihai, arriving for a last seafood dinner on the coast.