Qinzhou

Qinzhou has a coastal climate, with strong summer sunshine and plenty of rain.

Qinzhou is a relaxed seaside city where you can enjoy bays and beaches while still finding old-town lanes and the everyday atmosphere of an ancient prefecture. Overall costs are fairly friendly, making it a good choice for an easy weekend or short-holiday food-and-walking trip.

Classic 3-Day, 2-Night Itinerary

• Day 1: Old-Town Culture and Lively Night Markets
  • Morning: After arriving in Qinzhou, head to Qinzhou Old Street (Zhongshan Road). Along the way, admire century-old arcade buildings, a retro clock tower, and Yimi Lane, and take in the old-town style with a touch of Nanyang influence.

• Afternoon: Walk to Liu Yongfu’s Former Residence and Feng Zicai’s Former Residence to learn about the history of these late-Qing generals who fought against the French. Afterward, have a coffee at Qinzhou Bookstore and enjoy this bookish urban space.

• Evening: Go to Hongfa Night Market or Erma Road Night Market to try local snacks such as pig’s trotter rice noodles, sweet soups, and suanye pickles, and experience the lively everyday flavor of Qinzhou at night.

• Day 2: Coastal Dolphin Watching and Sunset Sea Views
  • Morning: Get up early and go to Sanniang Bay, then take a boat out to look for wild pink Chinese white dolphins. Going out between 8 and 10 a.m. is recommended, as the chance of seeing dolphins is relatively higher then.

• Afternoon: Head to Xili Bay to walk in the waves and go beachcombing along its 2.8-kilometer curved beach. Near dusk, you can photograph the orange sea surface and sunset views.

• Evening: Have a fresh seafood meal at a seaside food stall. Options include salt-and-pepper mantis shrimp and oysters with garlic.

• Day 3: Hiking Through Mountains and Waters, and Intangible Heritage Craftsmanship
  • Morning: Go hiking in Bazhaigou, where you can see waterfalls and streams along the way. In summer, you can also trace the stream and play in the water. Alternatively, visit Maowei Sea and take a bamboo raft through the mangroves.

• Afternoon: Return to the city and visit the Nixing Pottery Museum to learn about this intangible cultural heritage craft, one of China’s four famous pottery traditions. You can also try throwing clay by hand.

• Dusk: Buy souvenirs such as sea-duck eggs and small Nixing pottery ornaments before heading back.

Main Attractions

• Sanniang Bay: Known as the home of the Chinese white dolphin, this is one of the few coastal areas in China where wild pink dolphins can be seen near shore. The beach is relatively clean and not too crowded. April to October is a better period for dolphin watching.

• Qinzhou Old Street: This area includes Song-dynasty inner-city streets, Ming- and Qing-dynasty Zhulan Street, and Republic-era arcade streets. It preserves more than 400 historic buildings, making it ideal for a slow walk and retro-style photos.

• Bazhaigou: Qinzhou’s “natural oxygen bar,” made up of karst canyons, streams, and waterfalls. In summer, it is good for escaping the heat and tracing streams, and is also nicknamed “Little Jiuzhaigou of Guangxi.”

• Xili Bay: Nicknamed “Little Sanya of Guangxi,” this bay often has clams and short-necked clams on the tidal flats after the tide goes out. The sunset views are wide and open, and it is also suitable for families going beachcombing.

• Liu Yongfu’s Former Residence and Feng Zicai’s Former Residence: Both were homes of late-Qing generals who fought against the French, and are also representative Lingnan buildings from the Qing dynasty. They are free to enter and suitable for learning about modern history.

Local Food Guide

Qinzhou has a rich range of food, and its rice noodles, seafood, sweet soups, and suanye pickles are all worth trying. Overall spending is also quite affordable.

Transport and Accommodation Tips

• Getting There: High-speed trains go directly to Qinzhou East Railway Station. From Nanning, the ride takes about 30 minutes and costs 26 yuan. Driving from Nanning takes about 1.5 hours.
• Getting Around the City: City buses and taxis are both convenient. To get to Sanniang Bay, you can take the scenic-area shuttle or a taxi; a taxi costs about 150 yuan.
• Where to Stay:
  • City Center: Qinzhou Wan Guo Hotel offers good value, with a night market right downstairs. At Qinzhou Bay International Hotel, you can choose a river-view room.

• By the Sea: You can stay in a sea-view guesthouse at Sanniang Bay, such as “Yuge Wanchang.” At night, you can hear the sound of the waves, making it suitable for travelers who want a deeper feel for the fishing-port atmosphere.

Practical Tips

• Dolphin-Watching Time: It is recommended to go out to sea between 8 and 10 a.m., when the water is calmer and the chance of seeing dolphins is relatively higher. Going out in rainy weather is not recommended.
• Beachcombing Tips: Check the tide table before setting out. Go to Xili Bay or the rocky beach at Sanniang Bay at low tide, and bring your own beachcombing tools.
• Buying Seafood: When buying seafood at night markets, watch the scale and avoid having your purchase switched. Before choosing a food stall, ask several places about their prices.
• What to Wear: UV rays are strong by the sea, so use sun protection. The temperature difference can be noticeable when watching the sunset in the evening, so bring a light jacket.
• Ticket Information: Most attractions in Qinzhou are free, including the old street, former residences, and beaches. Boat trips from Sanniang Bay cost about 80–128 yuan, and Bazhaigou costs about 50 yuan.