Getting Around Beihai
Beihai is a compact seaport city, and most of the places a visitor wants to reach — Silver Beach, the Old Street, the city centre around Beibuwan Square, and the ferry port for Weizhou Island — are linked by a handful of straightforward transport options. There is no metro or tram system, so buses, taxis, ride-hailing, and two-wheeled transport do the heavy lifting.
By Bus
Public buses are the main form of public transport and cover most major sights, residential areas, and commercial centres. They are cheap and frequent, but the network can be confusing: routes sometimes follow indirect paths, a legacy of the city's rapid growth outpacing its traffic planning.
- Fares are a flat, low rate per ride (roughly ¥1–3 depending on the route); on many buses you drop exact change into a box by the driver, and no tickets are sold on board.
- You can also pay with a local transport card or by mobile payment such as WeChat Pay or Alipay.
- Buses generally run from early morning to around 9–10 PM, with popular routes arriving every 10–20 minutes. Many routes do not run at night.
- Several useful routes pass through Beibuwan Square and the People's Theater stops in the centre of town. Bus No. 3 is a handy one for visitors, connecting Beibuwan Square with Silver Beach, the long-distance bus station, and the international wharf.
- Route maps at stops are mainly in Chinese, so it is worth using Baidu Maps or Amap for real-time information and route planning.
- Accessibility is limited: most buses lack low-floor access or ramps.
By Taxi and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are plentiful and often the easiest option, especially since bus service thins out at night. Licensed taxis are typically green or yellow with a "TAXI" sign and a meter. You can hail one on the street, pick one up at designated stands (airport, railway station, port), or book through an app.
- Taxis should use the meter. Expect a small surcharge on top of the metered fare, and note that night service and waiting time can add to the cost.
- Some drivers near tourist spots may try to skip the meter or quote a flat rate — insist on the meter or agree on a price before you set off.
- DiDi Chuxing is the dominant ride-hailing app and is common and easy to use. It has an English interface and supports linking an international credit card, and it shows the fare upfront.
- Taxis accept cash or mobile payment; ride-hailing is paid through the app.
- For safety, verify the driver and vehicle details (licence plate, photo) in the app before getting in.
Motorbike Taxis, Tricycles, and Bikes
For short hops, informal options are everywhere and cheap, though you should agree on the price first.
- Motorbike taxis are recognisable by the spare passenger helmet hung on the front. They are a quick, inexpensive way to cover short distances within the city.
- Pedicabs (tricycles) are numerous and readily available for short trips around town; negotiate the fare beforehand.
- Hellobike share bikes operate in the city. If you have an Alipay account, you can use it to unlock them.
- E-bike and bicycle rental is popular on Weizhou Island, where the terrain is relatively flat and the coastal routes are scenic.
Walking and Cycling
Walking is a pleasure in the right places: Beihai Old Street for its historic architecture, Silver Beach for its long promenade, and the city parks for their pedestrian paths. Dedicated bike lanes are not extensive but do exist in some newer parts of the city. Take care around traffic, especially e-bikes and scooters, and wear a helmet if one is available.
Getting In from the Airport
Beihai Fucheng Airport (BHY) is the main gateway to the city, located northeast of downtown, with scheduled flights to a range of major Chinese cities and extra charter flights added in summer and holidays. Two practical options get you into town:
- Airport shuttle bus: a cheap, straightforward option that runs at intervals timed to flight arrivals, stopping at Beihai Railway Station and the downtown bus hub.
- Taxi or ride-hailing: faster and more direct. Some drivers near tourist spots may refuse the meter, so insist on it or agree on a price first; ride-hailing apps show the fare upfront.
Arriving by Train, Boat, and Long-Distance Bus
Beihai Railway Station sits in the eastern part of downtown and is on the national high-speed network, with frequent services from Nanning and connections to other popular destinations such as Guilin. The station is a short taxi ride from Silver Beach and is one of the city's key transport hubs.
For onward travel, long-distance buses serve nearby cities in Guangxi and neighbouring Guangdong, and there are two main long-distance bus stations, one downtown and one to the south. Fares are modest, but buses are slower than train or plane, so book early in peak season.
Ferries to Weizhou Island depart from Beihai International Passenger Port, south of downtown, and are the main water transport in the area — there is no "boat taxi" service within the city itself. Crossings take a couple of hours, and tickets come in economy and business classes. These routes are very popular in the warmer months and sell out quickly, so book well in advance through the official ferry site.
Practical Tips
- Peak season runs through the warmer months and major holidays: book flights, trains, and ferries a week or two ahead.
- Basic English is spoken at the airport, stations, and big hotels, but carrying your hotel address in Chinese is a good idea.
- A local transport card, sold at convenience stores and bus stations, can be cheaper for buses and is accepted at some shops — worth it for stays of three days or more.
- For visitors with mobility needs, public transport and general infrastructure offer limited provisions; private transport such as a taxi or DiDi is often more convenient.