A Mom Roaming Beihai with Her Child: A Healing Journey Interwoven with Sea Breeze and Innocence

As a mom revolving around her child, I always hope to take my little one to see the world beyond. This summer, we set our destination to Beihai—a small city embraced by the blue sea, offering not only heart-healing sea views but also vibrant local cuisine and corners where children can play freely. A five-day, four-night trip filled not only with smiling faces in photos but also warm reflections on companionship and growth. 1. Savoring Beihai: The Beauty and Charm Hidden in the Sea Breeze The beauty of Beihai never rushes you; instead, it’s perfect for strolling hand in hand with your child. On the first day, we headed straight to Silver Beach—walking on the white fine sand of the "Number One Beach Under Heaven," soft as if stepping on clouds. My child excitedly carried a small bucket chasing the waves, and when the seawater touched his little feet, his giggles were more delightful than the sound of the waves. The beach here is gentle and safe even for very young children to play. At dusk, the sunset dyed the sea orange-red, and we sat on the beach watching fishing boats return home. At that moment, all fatigue seemed to be carried away by the sea breeze. The second day was reserved for Weizhou Island. While on the boat, my child leaned against the window watching seagulls with eyes full of curiosity. After arriving, we didn’t rush to tourist spots but rented an electric scooter to leisurely ride along the island’s coastal road. Passing Dripping Danping, red volcanic rocks hung with thin water curtains; my child reached out to catch the drops, exclaiming, “Mom, the stones are raining!” At Crocodile Mountain Volcano Park, we observed the unique volcanic crater landscape together, and I told him a little story about volcanic eruptions. Though he only half understood, he seriously remembered, “These stones are made by volcanoes.” The most unforgettable moment was in the island’s fishing village at dusk, when fishermen returned carrying nets filled with freshly caught fish and shrimp. My child peeked closely, and an elderly lady smiled and handed him a small crab. That little crab waving its claws became his most treasured “toy” of the day. Beihai’s local customs are hidden in the details of its streets and alleys. On Beihai Old Street, century-old arcade buildings are covered with vines, and the aroma of shrimp cakes wafts from long-established shops. My child held my hand, pointing at the carved decorations on the arcades, asking questions. Passing a dessert shop, the owner warmly offered my child a cup of locust flower powder, whose sweet and refreshing taste made him nod approvingly. At a shell jewelry stall, the vendor patiently taught my child to identify different shells and gave him a small conch shell, saying, “Blow it and you can hear the sound of the sea.” There’s none of the hustle and bustle of big cities here; everyone wears a peaceful smile, and even time seems to slow down. 2. Beihai on the Palate: Food Memories Hidden in the Local Flavors When traveling with kids, “eating” is always a highlight, and Beihai’s cuisine is both fresh and child-friendly. Every morning, we visited Qiaogang Style Street or the local market to experience the most authentic local atmosphere. The Vietnamese rice rolls at Qiaogang are my child’s favorite—thin as cicada wings, wrapped with shrimp and wood ear mushrooms, dipped in sweet and sour sauce. He could eat two rolls at a time. Freshly baked shrimp cakes must be eaten hot; crispy outside and tender inside, each bite bursting with fresh shrimp flavor. My child ate the shrimp cake with sesame sticking to the corners of his mouth, looking especially adorable. Seafood is Beihai’s signature. We chose a seafood stall popular with locals and let the owner pick fresh ingredients. The steamed grouper was tender, and my child ate it happily without worrying about bones. Boiled shrimp dipped in garlic sauce was fresh and juicy. Even vegetables, which he usually dislikes, like stir-fried winged beans, he ate half a bowl of. The owner found my child adorable and gave us a serving of seafood porridge, soft and smooth. My child drank half a bowl and said, “It’s even tastier than mom’s porridge.” Besides main meals, Beihai’s desserts and snacks are unforgettable. On hot afternoons, we took my child to have a bowl of Qingbuliang, a refreshing dessert with coconut milk base, red beans, barley, taro balls, and fruit—cooling and relieving the heat. Chicken dung vine jelly is a local specialty snack; cooked into a sweet soup with a faint herbal aroma. Despite its unusual name, my child surprisingly liked it, saying, “It tastes like sweet QQ candy.” These regionally distinctive foods not only satisfied our taste buds but also became my child’s unique memories of Beihai. 3. Parent-Child Time: Small Interactions and Growth on the Journey The most precious part of this trip wasn’t how many sights we checked off but the little moments spent with my child. At Silver Beach, we built sandcastles together—he was in charge of “carrying sand,” and I built the “castle.” When he accidentally got sand on my face, he would softly say, “Mom, sorry, I’ll wipe it off for you.” On Weizhou Island’s beach, we collected shells together. He put all the pretty shells he found into a small bucket, saying, “I want to bring them home to my kindergarten friends.” Watching him so earnest, I suddenly realized that my child had unknowingly learned to share. There were also small hiccups. One day, my child was tired and threw a tantrum, refusing to walk. Instead of scolding him, I held him on a bench by the sea and pointed to a fishing boat in the distance, saying, “Look, the fishing boat is going home to find its mom. We also need to slowly walk back to the hotel.” After hearing this, he obediently got down, held my hand, and said, “Mom, I won’t fuss anymore. I’ll walk by myself.” At that moment, I understood that traveling is not only about showing children the world but also about facing problems and growing together. 4. Reflections on the Journey: Finding a Better Life in the Sea Breeze At the end of our Beihai trip, my child fell asleep on the high-speed train, still clutching that conch shell. Looking at his sleeping face, I was full of emotion. As a mom, daily life is often filled with trivial matters, leaving little chance to quietly appreciate life’s beauty. This trip to Beihai allowed me to shed fatigue in the sea breeze and rediscover my original intention in my child’s laughter. Beihai’s slow life taught me that a beautiful life doesn’t need to be extravagant—it’s the first ray of sunlight by the sea in the morning, the satisfied smile on a child’s face when tasting delicious food, a warm greeting from a stranger, and every step slowly taken with family. In the future, I want to take my child to more places, see different landscapes, taste various foods, and collect more memories of love and companionship on every trip. This Beihai journey was not just a simple trip but a healing journey for the soul. The sea breeze blows away worries, innocence heals fatigue, and the time spent with my child will become the most precious treasure in our lives, reminding us to always love life and always look forward to the distance.