Perfect Encounter of Volcano and Ocean
📍Detailed Address
Located in the central part of Beibu Gulf in Haicheng District, Beihai City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, at 21°02.4′N, 109°06.6′E, with a total area of 24.74 square kilometers. It is China's largest and geologically youngest volcanic island.
🚗Transportation Guide
• Island Transportation:
• Ticket Booking: Must purchase round-trip ferry tickets (minimum 300 yuan) and island admission tickets (98 yuan) in advance. Real-name registration required.
• Port Information: Depart from Beihai International Passenger Port. Arrive 1 hour early for security check, ticket inspection, and boarding.
• Motion Sickness Tips: Bring motion sickness patches or medication, especially during rough seas.
• On-Island Transportation:
• Electric Vehicle Rental: Best way to get around, about 60 yuan/day in low season, around 80 yuan in peak season. Perfect for riding around the island.
• Public Bus: Three routes, 5 yuan/person, but infrequent service with long waiting times.
• Tricycles/Shuttle Cars: Available everywhere, 30 yuan per ride regardless of distance.
• Walking: There are small paths, but the island is sparsely populated, so walking alone is not recommended for safety reasons.
• Note: Parking fee for electric vehicles is 5 yuan/vehicle. Consider parking in free areas or near attractions.
🌟Must-Do Activities
1. Cruise Experience
• Feature: Window seats offer great sea views, turning your journey into a sea adventure.
• How to Enjoy: Choose tickets at different price points and enjoy the scenery along the way.
2. Parasailing
• Feature: Exciting yet safe experience, overlooking the sea from above, unforgettable.
• How to Enjoy: Conducted under professional coaching, suitable for adventure-seeking tourists.
3. Jet Ski, Inflatable Duck Boats, Surfboards
• Feature: Best during sunset to avoid heat and get beautiful photos.
• How to Enjoy: Experience water sports in designated sea areas.
4. Beach Combing
• Feature: Fishing ban period is the best time for beach combing, enjoy fishing and seafood.
• How to Enjoy: Follow locals or guesthouse owners to beach combing spots, prioritize safety.
5. Hiking
• Feature: Weizhou Island is a volcanic island, suitable for hiking, especially in the cool morning hours.
• How to Enjoy: Choose easy routes suitable for all ages.
6. Beach BBQ
• Feature: Evening barbecue on the beach, drinking beer, enjoying sea breeze, watching sunset.
• How to Enjoy: Bring your own ingredients or buy seafood for on-site cooking, enjoy leisurely time.
7. Adventure to Wild Xieyang Island
• Feature: Take a yacht to the island, experience sea fishing, BBQ, and crab catching in a wild setting.
• How to Enjoy: Suitable for adventure lovers, but safety precautions needed.
8. Finding Local Specialties
• Recommendations: Shiluo Kou Hanma Sweet Soup, Nanwan Street Fenny Biedao Desserts, Fengqing Street Zhonghe Rice Noodles.
• How to Enjoy: Taste local snacks and experience Weizhou Island's food culture.
9. Popular Photo Spots
• Recommendations: Downhill at Nanwan Street, Cactus Frame, Blue Bridge Glass Sea, Fireworks Theater, Volcanic Rock Cave.
• How to Enjoy: Dress nicely, take photos, and record beautiful moments.
10. Sunrise Viewing
• Feature: Beautiful sunrises visible starting from May, worth waking up early.
• How to Enjoy: Choose viewing spots like Colorful Beach or Shell Beach, wait for the sunrise.
11. Choose a Reliable Guesthouse
• Feature: Good guesthouse owners can help you avoid tourist traps.
• How to Enjoy: Book guesthouses in advance, communicate with owners about your itinerary.
💰Average Cost
• Travel Expense Breakdown: About 1,500 yuan per person, including accommodation, transportation, meals, and tickets.
• Specific Costs:
• Accommodation: About 200-500 yuan for two nights, depending on guesthouse quality.
• Transportation: Electric vehicle rental about 100-160 yuan, ferry and admission tickets about 400 yuan.
• Dining: Seafood feast about 100-200 yuan/meal, snacks about 30-50 yuan/meal.
• Water Activities: Jet ski, diving, etc., about 200 yuan per person.
• Total: About 1,500-2,000 yuan per person, depending on personal spending habits.
📌Small Tips
• Transportation Tip: After disembarking at Beihai International Passenger Port, consider booking a pick-up service or taking an official tour bus.
• Clothing Suggestions: Weather changes frequently with large temperature differences between morning and evening. Bring light, breathable, comfortable clothes.
• Accommodation Recommendations: Areas near Dishui Danping and Muya are beautiful and quiet; areas near Shiluo Kou Beach and Nanwan Street offer good value and are close to main attractions.
• Mosquito Prevention: Mosquitoes are abundant, especially biting midges. Bring strong insect repellent spray.
• Attraction Planning: Attractions are scattered. Plan 1-3 attractions per day to avoid rushed tourism.
• Comfortable Shoes: Prepare comfortable shoes for rugged attractions like Crocodile Mountain Scenic Area.
• Shipping Specialties: Check shipping costs to avoid overpaying.
• Food Recommendations: Try Wang Jie's Seafood, Qiong Da Zaopo Vinegar, Mama's Coconut Chicken, and Guiba Shaved Ice.
• Other Tips:
• Bring your ID card, driver's license, student ID, and health code.
• Prepare toiletries, clothes, electronic devices, medicines, and other essentials.
• Don't walk barefoot on shell beaches to avoid foot injuries.
• Book ferry tickets in advance as ports get crowded during peak season.
• Buy seafood at Guizhou Road Convenience Market in Beihai for fresh and affordable options.
• When selecting seafood, ask for holes in the bottom of bags to avoid being cheated.
• When booking accommodation, ask if there's a kitchen for self-catering.
• Sun protection is essential as UV rays are strong in Beihai.
• Negotiate prices for sea activities.
• Don't take boats or yachts without proper safety measures.
• Don't miss the sunrise at Colorful Beach by getting up early.
• Consider joining local small group tours if you don't have time for planning or can't book ferry tickets.
• Check weather forecasts before traveling to Beihai as weather affects photo quality.
• Young people are not recommended to visit the Underwater World (unless with children).
• Arrive at Beihai International Passenger Port about an hour early for security checks.
• Consider renting a small electric car to ride around the island before 10 AM or after 5 PM.
• Don't go to Nanwan Market too early as dessert shops open in the afternoon.
• Don't swim immediately after meals as it's harmful to your body.
• Avoid seafood stalls around Silver Beach as they're expensive and not tasty.
• Dishui Danping is also an excellent spot to watch the sunset.
• Don't consume too many cold drinks and seafood at once to avoid stomach issues. Pay attention to hygiene.
• The only way to reach Weizhou Island is by boat. Arrive at the International Passenger Port one hour early for security checks.
• Not recommended to eat banana pig, banana chicken, seafood duck, or other common poultry in Beihai.
• Visit Guantouling Beach for sunrise - it's beautiful. Skip the Forest Park if time is limited.
• Visit the Mangrove Forest in the morning for beach combing, crab digging, and conch collecting.
• Definitely visit Colorful Beach for sunrise. Wake up at 5 AM and rent a car.
• For non-locals in Beihai, avoid taxis as they can be expensive. Use ride-hailing services instead.
• There's a fair scale at the market entrance. After buying seafood, weigh it before letting vendors add water.
• Don't book a one-day round trip to Weizhou Island as there are many attractions to visit and one day is too rushed.