An Underrated Coastal Town
Comprehensive Travel Guide to Fangchenggang, One Article is Enough
Fangchenggang, Guangxi, an underrated coastal town, not only boasts stunning seaside scenery but also unique border customs, making it a hidden gem for niche travelers! We've compiled a Fangchenggang travel guide with one-stop arrangements for food, drinks, and entertainment. Ready to set off? Bookmark this now!
Transportation Guide
- Airport: Currently, Fangchenggang has no airport. You can fly to Nanning Wuxu International Airport first, then transfer by high-speed train or bus to Fangchenggang. The train takes about 1.5 hours, and the bus about 2.5 hours.
- Train: Fangchenggang North Station is the main high-speed rail station, with direct connections to Nanning, Guangzhou, and other cities, offering convenient transportation.
- Local Transport: Buses reach major attractions but have limited routes; taxis are convenient and reasonably priced; renting an electric scooter is also a great option to freely explore and enjoy the scenery along the way.
Recommended Attractions
1. Leshan Ancient Fishing Village: One of the most well-preserved Ming and Qing dynasty fishing villages in Guangxi, featuring ancient houses with blue bricks and gray tiles, stone-paved roads, and fishermen’s ancestral halls, full of cultural atmosphere. You can also experience tide hunting, digging sand worms, and raking snails to feel the fishermen’s life. The coastal road and boardwalk are popular photo spots, especially stunning at sunrise.
2. Xiwang Tourist Area: Cycle or stroll along the Xiwang greenway to enjoy the most beautiful sea views. Take a boat tour to experience the charm of the city in the sea and people in the scenery; you can also visit the Civic Sailing Center to try windsurfing and sailing (remember to book in advance). Climb Xianren Mountain to overlook the massive port and city skyline, with breathtaking sunset views. Additionally, the historical reliefs at Fubo Cultural Park and the marine culture exhibitions at Fangchenggang City Museum are worth a visit.
3. Jiangshan Peninsula Scenic Area
- Bailang Beach: Named for its black sand and white waves, the sand is fine and contains titanium, known for the "black sand bath" health method. When the weather is warm, you can surf and swim, enjoying the charm of "China’s Most Beautiful Tourism and Leisure Destination."
- Tuhai Art Village: Transformed from an abandoned fishing village, it features rainbow stairs and seaside swings perfect for photos. You can also participate in fishermen’s painting creation or DIY shell wind chimes (book the studio in advance).
- Strange Stone Beach: The coastal boardwalk and White Dragon Cave are very distinctive. Here you can photograph unique stone seascapes, enjoy stunning sunsets, and feel the romance of "till the seas dry and the rocks crumble." You can also rent fishing boats for sea fishing or angling, and keep your catch.
4. Jing Island Scenic Area
- Golden Beach: Fine sand, calm waves, gentle slopes, and warm water make it perfect for wading, swimming, and diving. You can also take fishing boats or speedboats out to sea.
- Jing Ethnic Culture Experience: Try stilt fishing (borrow costumes and props for great photos), participate in the Jing ethnic group’s large net fishing, and buy the freshly caught fish and shrimp at low prices on-site.
5. Dongxing National Gate Scenic Area: Visit Dongxing First and Second Bridge border crossings to feel the solemnity and openness of the national gate. Go to the 33rd-floor observation deck of the Ramada Hotel to overlook the Vietnamese Mong Cai market across the border, where the lights of both sides shine beautifully at dusk. Explore the Vietnamese-style street and Wanzhong International Wholesale Market to buy Vietnamese drip coffee and Southeast Asian souvenirs.
Food Highlights
1. Seafood: Fangchenggang’s seafood is a must-try! Prepared in various ways—steamed, charcoal-grilled, boiled, pan-fried—each method lets you savor the ocean’s freshness.
2. Rice Noodles
- Seafood Noodles: A mix of shrimp, crab, clams, pork, and vegetables in a rich, fragrant broth with chewy rice noodles, incredibly satisfying in every bite.
- Old Friend Noodles: A delicious blend of savory sauce and sour-spicy flavors, with minced meat, fresh meat, pork liver, and thin rice noodles, topped with huangpi sauce to whet your appetite.
- Sweet and Sour Noodles: Perfect for hot weather, smooth rice noodles soaked in sweet and sour soup. Shangsi sour noodles are especially outstanding, with rich broth and layered flavors.
- Vietnamese Chicken Noodles: Appearing light and clear, the soup is actually rich, with smooth noodles and fresh meat, blending savory and sweet flavors for an unforgettable taste.
3. Sweet Soups
- Pandan Sweet Soup: Pandan leaves infused in sweet soup, with popping pearls, coconut milk, and coconut jelly, colorful and refreshing, also good for digestion and cooling off.
- Mixed Tofu Pudding: Silky smooth tofu pudding paired with red beans, tapioca, taro balls, and other toppings, each bite full of happiness.
- Rock Sugar Snow Pear with Water Chestnut and Corn: Sweet and nourishing, combining multiple ingredients for a cooling and detoxifying effect.
- Mung Bean and Kelp: Soft mung beans with a sandy texture and tender, smooth kelp, perfectly sweetened.
Accommodation Suggestions
1. City Center: Recommended hotels include Gangchen International Hotel and Rongxing Gelang Hotel, both with convenient transportation and complete surrounding facilities.
2. Jiangshan Peninsula: Choose seaside homestays right by the beach, such as [Homestay 1 Name], [Homestay 2 Name], offering stunning sea views.
3. Jing Island Scenic Area: Near Golden Beach, options like Chagu Courtyard and Qulang Homestay provide seaside charm and easy access to attractions.
Itinerary Planning
Three-Day Coastal Leisure Tour
- Day 1: Leshan Ancient Fishing Village (morning tide hunting and photography) → Xiwang Tourist Area (afternoon greenway cycling and sea sightseeing, evening snacks at Beigang Old Town and Xiwang Night Market)
- Day 2: Jiangshan Peninsula Scenic Area (morning Bailang Beach and Tuhai Art Village, afternoon Bailong Ancient Fort and Strange Stone Beach fishing trip, evening check-in at Golden Beach)
- Day 3: Jing Island Scenic Area (morning Golden Beach activities and Jing ethnic culture experience, afternoon Dongxing National Gate Scenic Area sightseeing and shopping)
Two-Day China-Vietnam Cross-Border Tour
- Day 1: China-Vietnam Border River Scenic Area (morning visit to Qing Dynasty No.1 boundary marker, afternoon Dongxing National Gate Scenic Area border crossing and shopping, evening nightlife at Beilun River Night Market)
- Day 2: One-Day Tour to Mong Cai, Vietnam (prepare passport and permits in advance, experience Vietnamese culture, return to Dongxing for souvenir shopping)
Two-Day Forest Wellness Tour
- Day 1: Shangsi Ten-Thousand-Mountain National Forest Park (morning forest exploration, afternoon hot spring bath at Ten-Thousand-Mountain Butou Hot Spring, evening grilled fish in Shangsi)
- Day 2: Bird Paradise (morning bird watching and interaction) → Shangsi County Picking Garden (experience fruit picking fun) → Visit Shangsi cattle breeding base and Toona sinensis planting and processing base (learn about specialty agriculture, then return)
Helpful Tips
1. Check the weather in advance and prepare sun protection and mosquito repellent. The seaside has strong UV rays and many mosquitoes.
2. Check the tide table before tide hunting to choose the right time.
3. For visiting Mong Cai, Vietnam, prepare relevant documents in advance; be cautious about product quality when shopping at the border.
4. When enjoying seafood, choose reputable vendors to avoid being overcharged.