Fangchenggang & Jiangshan Peninsula
A seaside port city on the Beibu Gulf. On the Jiangshan Peninsula, walk the sand at White Waves Beach and watch the sunset at Strange Stone Beach. Eat seafood in Xiwan, and at dusk visit Egret Park to see thousands of birds return to roost.
Fangchenggang lies in southern Guangxi on the north shore of the Beibu Gulf. To its west, across the Beilun River, is Vietnam. It is a young seaside city that grew up around its port. This destination centers on the port district and the Jiangshan Peninsula in Fangchenggang District. The city center is built around Xiwan (West Bay), and Xiwan, Hongsha Ring, the Beibu Gulf Marine Culture Park, and Xianren Mountain form a coastal leisure belt. At dusk, visit Egret Park to watch the egrets return to their nests, then eat seafood and browse the night markets around Xiwan. Crossing the Xiwan Sea Bridge, the Jiangshan Peninsula is about 20 km to the south. On its east side, Moon Bay is a good spot to photograph the sunrise over the port. On its west side, White Waves Beach (Dapingpo) is a wide, flat sandy beach. At the southern tip, Strange Stone Beach is famous for its sea-eroded rocks and sunsets, and the northern part of the peninsula has the remains of the Tang-dynasty Tanpeng Canal.
In Guangpo Town in the eastern part of the port district, the volcanic island and the Hongsha Fishing and Egret Park are good for a half-day trip. Dongxing Port, Jingdao Golden Beach, and the Shiwan Mountains belong to the separate 'Dongxing' destination and can be combined with this trip.
The climate is subtropical maritime monsoon. April to June and September to November are the most comfortable. July to September is peak season for sea activities, but typhoons and heavy rain are frequent, so watch weather warnings before going out on the water. Winter is cool and not suitable for swimming. Getting there: from Nanning, take a high-speed train for about 1 hour to Fangchenggang North Station. Within the city and between the city and the Jiangshan Peninsula, taxis, ride-hailing, and tourist shuttle buses are the main options, and driving is the most convenient. Plan two days: one for the Xiwan area and Egret Park, and one for the Jiangshan Peninsula loop (Moon Bay, White Waves Beach, Strange Stone Beach). Watch for buggies and swimming safety at White Waves Beach when the tide is coming in. Before ordering seafood at open-air restaurants, ask about weighing and prices.
Top sights
- Bailang Beach – A wide beach on the Jiangshan Peninsula, with striking black-and-white sand ripples at low tide and plenty of water sports.
- Tanpeng Canal – The remains of a sea canal dug in the Tang dynasty, with Tang-era cliff carvings preserved on its rock walls. A relic of the ancient Mariti…
- Egret Park – A coastal mangrove park in the port district where large flocks of egrets roost, with a spectacular evening homecoming.
- Xiwan Bay & Hongshahuan – A city bay in Fangchenggang, with the Hongshahuan ecological park, a sea-crossing bridge and gulls along its shore. A favourite spot for se…
- Guaishi Beach – A sea-eroded rock beach at the southwest tip of the Jiangshan Peninsula, with strangely shaped red-brown reefs. A popular spot for sunsets…
- Moon Bay (Jiangshan Peninsula) – A crescent-shaped bay on the east side of the Jiangshan Peninsula, with a gentle beach facing the Fangchenggang port across the water. A go…
- Beibu Gulf Ocean Culture Park – A seaside park of calligraphy inscriptions on stone beside the city government centre, next to the conch-shaped Fangchenggang Museum, with…
- Xianrenshan Park – A hilltop park at about 196 metres, the highest point in the city, with views over the Xiwan Sea-Crossing Bridge and the whole Xiwan citysc…
- Volcano Island (Hongsha) – A volcanic island of six linked islets off Hongsha Village in Guangpo Town, with volcanic rock reefs, tidal foraging and egrets at Hongsha…
Where to eat
- Fengqingdao Seafood Restaurant – A longstanding local seafood restaurant near the Bell Tower on Kaile Road in Gangkou District. Laoyou huajia clams, Nid…
- Sunjie Seafood Stall (Bailangtan Branch) – A seafood stall inside Bailangtan Scenic Area, facing the sea. Its set meals for two are generous, and the ginger-scall…
Itineraries
- Beibu Gulf Coast & Weizhou Island Self-Drive Tour – Depart from Nanning and drive along the coast to Sanniang Bay, Jiangshan Peninsula, Dongxing, and Weizhou Island.