Beidaihe is located on the eastern coast of Beidaihe District in Qinhuangdao City. From the northeast’s Pigeon Nest Park to the southwest’s Daihekou where the Daihe River meets the sea, the area is renowned for its coastal scenery. Gentle waves lap against the soft sandy beaches. Fresh air and lush greenery abound. Quaint two to three-story buildings line the streets. Tourists flock to this region for its stunning sea views. However, the origin of the scenic area’s name, derived from the Daihe River and Daihekou, has been overshadowed by its famous seascapes. Along Beidaihe’s coast, there are approximately 30 bathing beaches. Tiger Stone Sea Park is a notable attraction. Here, visitors can enjoy sand play, sunbathing, swimming in the sea, and various water sports such as parasailing and jet skiing. Of course, these water activities, including showering and changing clothes at Tiger Stone Sea Park, come at a cost. Pigeon Nest Park is a must-visit destination for every tourist to Beidaihe, primarily for witnessing the ‘Bathing Sun’ (sunrise over the sea) from the Yingjiao Pavilion. Although Beidaihe is a prime spot for sun viewing, sunrises are not always visible due to low visibility and occasional fog over the sea, with higher probabilities after September. Bird watching on the shallow banks is a must. 416 of China’s 1200 bird species are identified in Beidaihe. During the spring (mid-March to late May) and autumn (early September to mid-November), tens of thousands of migratory birds stop here, making it an excellent time for bird watching.Pigeon Nest Park is not a bathing beach, so swimming is not allowed. However, visitors can dip their feet in the sea and there are free foot-washing facilities. Beidaihe offers numerous attractions. For example, there are the bizarrely shaped and slightly cute castles at the Strange Building and Garden. Climbing the 153-meter-tall Lianfeng Mountain in Lianfeng Mountain Park allows one to overlook the villas used for convalescence. At the foot of Lianfeng Mountain is the free Jiashi Garden. The words ‘Jiashi’ carry the ancient history of Qinhuangdao. A poem ‘Facing the Jiashi to the east, to observe the vast sea’ is engraved on the back of the huge rocks in the garden. Coastline cycling is also a good option. Bicycles can generally be rented near attractions and hotels. Longer rental periods may allow for bargaining. If interested, one can ride all the way to Nan Daihe. It is also a beach but much quieter than Beidaihe. Sometimes, traffic control measures are in place in Beidaihe. Some sections do not allow bicycles and require detours. Of course, visiting the seaside means indulging in seafood. The Shi Tang Road Pedestrian Street to the southwest of the Strange Building and Garden offers a wide variety of seafood. The Hong Shi Road Night Market (including the adjacent Heishi Road and Heishi Branch Road) not only has seafood stalls but also sells seashells, pearls, and other coastal specialty crafts. Walking south along Hong Shi Road leads to the sea. After enjoying seafood in the evening, watching the rising moon over the sea is a delightful experience.
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Although called a night market, it is also open during the day, but more stalls are set up in the evenings. You can explore the vibrant atmosphere and find a variety of goods and food options.
For fresh seafood, head to the Shitanglu Market on Shitanglu Pedestrian Street. Another option is the Chunhualu Farmers’ Market near the Qinhuangdao Branch of Beijing Institute of Technology on Yuhua Road. While it may not have as many varieties as Shitanglu, it’s a local favorite for groceries and is considered reliable.
The seafood you purchase can be taken back to your hotel and requested to be cooked by the hotel staff, or you can have it prepared by a restaurant. However, be vigilant against the ‘substitution trick’ that some stores might employ.
Baidaihe is known for its characteristic seafood such as scallops, swimming crabs, and mantis shrimps (also known as prawns). Enthusiasts of mantis shrimps can visit the seafood market near Daihe Estuary early in the morning for wholesale of just-caught mantis shrimps.
Beyond seafood, other delicious options in Beidaihe include barbecue, mutton soup, and Yangchangzi—a specialty of Beidaihe that is highly recommended, particularly the ham sausage variety.
For nightlife in Beidaihe, you can enjoy seafood at food stalls, stroll through the night market, or relax in the Biluota Bar Park, which features Thai ladyboy shows every night. In July each year, there is also a themed performance titled ‘A Bright Moon Rising over the Sea’.
Accommodation in Beidaihe is plentiful, with options ranging from economical family hotels costing several dozen yuan to more upscale hotels costing several hundred yuan.
—During the peak tourist season, the prices will double, and reservations need to be made in advance. There are many accommodations. Even more tourists come to Beidaihe! When encountering people soliciting for accommodation, be careful whether the accommodation place is very far from the beach. Open all day from January 1st to December 31st.
