Weizhou Island

城市概覽

Weizhou Island is as national park. The admission fee is ¥120 (¥65 in winter's off-season) and must be paid while entering the island at the harbour (Xijiao Matou). The entrance ticket covers the whole island and is valid for the entire stay. Formed by volcanic eruptions about 7,000 years ago Weizhou Island has a unique geological and geomorphologic landscape. The sea around Weizhou is rich in corals and other aquatic animals. Its subtropical monsoon climate with an average annual temperature of 22.6°C and an annual average rainfall of about 1380mm causes moderate summers and mild winters. Except for Chinese national holidays, Weizhou Island is not heavily touristed. Chinese tourists come here on daily trips and over weekends, but rarely stay longer. The island offers various scenic spots, a Gothic-style catholic cathedral, good and inexpensive seafood and wide beautiful beaches. It is ideal for relaxing and having a rest. Even the nightlife on Weizhou is less revelry than having a good time in one of its bars located in South Bay (NanWan) or a nice BBQ while enjoying the summer breeze from the sea. If you travel with foreign bank cards, bring enough cash for your entire stay on the island. The only ATM on the island (in NanWan) will accept Chinese bank cards only and the local bank branch does not exchange foreign money either. When planning a trip to Weizhou the weather forecast should be checked in advance. During heavy sea Weizhou Island can neither be reached nor left due to no ferries driving. English is not widespread on Weizhou. As English is a school subject younger local people and children will be pleased to have a little English chat with foreign visitors. The dialect on Weizhou differs greatly from northern China's Mandarin. However, there are quite a lot of people who speak Mandarin, too.

如何抵達

Ferries to Weizhou depart daily from Beihai International Passenger Terminal (北海国际客运港) scheduled at 08:30, 12:00 and 15:30, and take between 60 and 90 min. First class ¥180/trip. Second class ¥150/trip. In tourist season there may be more ferries, and during heavy sea, none. Check local sources for an updated schedule. The ticket counter closes 15 minutes before departure, and due to possible lengthy ticket queues it is advisable to arrive with plenty of time to spare.

當地交通

The island has an impressive fleet of motor tricycles (¥5-30 per trip, ¥100 to hire for the day). The tricycle drivers rarely speak English. For exploring the island on one's own, motor scooters (¥120/day) and e-bikes (¥80/day) can be rented as well, whereas bicycles can no more be rented on the island, despite some neat bike tracks at the newly constructed island ring road. The deposit for renting is between ¥200 and ¥300. The renting prices may rise during Chinese national holidays.

必看景點

1 Crocodile Hill (鳄鱼山景区 Èyúshān Jǐngqū). This scenic spot is in the Volcanic Park in the west of South Bay. Crocodile Hill can be reached either by walking or by taking a shuttle bus leaving at the Volcanic Geological Museum (¥20/trip). Tricycle drivers, motor cycles and bicycles are not allowed to enter the Volcanic Park. The island's entrance ticket must be shown to enter Crocodile Hill. Crocodile Hill has a round walk partially on wooden steps and planks that starts and ends at Crocodile Pharos and passes by the Seaview Pavillon, the Statue of Tang Xianzu, a volcanic vent, the Marine Pit, Canggui Cave, the Pirate Cave (Zeilao Cave), the sea arch, the Moon Bay, the Fall-In-Love-On-Weizhou-Island spot, coral sedimentary rocks, the Lover Bridge, the Moon Plaza, and the Sea Pier as well as craters and tree fossils. Shiluokou (石螺口景区 Shīluòkǒu Jǐngqū). Shiluokou is on the western coast of Weizhou Island. Its long sand beach, the clear water and its coral reefs made it the most famous beach on Weizhou. On its managed beach are deck chairs, cold beverages, seafood BBQ and water sports available. Multicolored/Colorful Beach (五彩滩景区 Wǔcàitān Jǐngqū). In low tide's sunrises this volcanic stone beach on the east coast of Weizhou Island offers a breathtaking view when the sun is dazzling reflecting on the wave cut wet stone surface. 2 Catholic church in Shengtang Village, Shèngtáng. The Catholic church in the middle of Shengtang Village was built over a decade in 1853 by French missionaries. It is made of coral sedimentary rocks from the sea bottom and built in neo-Gothic style. Saint Maria Church. The Saint Maria Church is a small Gothic-style Catholic Church in Chengzai village. It is less famous than the Catholic church in Shengtang Village but still opens its doors for Sunday Mass. 3 Sanpo Temple. Sanpo Temple in Weizhou's South Bay is also known as Tianhou Temple. After it collapsed due to landslides it was rebuilt a few years ago. The former temple was built in 1

體驗活動

Having fun on the beaches. Weizhou offers some of the best (and emptiest) beaches in China. However, because they don't have lifeguards, children and people unable to swim should not play in the sea unattended! Diving. With instructor. All the material is provided. 30 minutes for around ¥130. Booking at your living place, in South Bay or at Shiluokou. Snorkeling. Sailing. The Piggy Bar Hostel in South Bay offers attended sailing on a small sports sailer. Hiking. Exploring Weizhou Island by foot is fun. And because it is not very big, it's almost impossible to get lost. Bicycling. Fishing.

購物

Weizhou Island offers a wide range of seafood, cheap and sweet little bananas and adornment made of shells and pearls. The biggest food, fruits and seafood market is located in Weizhou's South Bay (NanWan). A smaller market is located in Shengtang Village in front of the Catholic Cathedral. Small shops spread all around the island offer snacks, beverages and Chinese convenience products.

1 South Bay Seafood Market, South Bay Road (walk along the main South Bay road past the bar area, it's hard to miss). The island's main marketplace for seafood, with the largest range and lowest prices. Pick your selection, take it home and cook it up – or pay a fee at a restaurant and have them cook it for you. Other grocery items can be purchased in the surrounding shops, which offer the largest range of products on the island. 2 ATM, South Bay Road, close to the dockside of the market. Rural Agricultural Bank of China. This ATM does not accept international bank cards. China Unionpay only. 3 ATM (On the north-west bound route from South Bay.). Rural Agricultural Bank of China's second ATM.

美食

Smaller eateries and bigger restaurants are scattered all over the island. Weizhou is famous for its good and cheap seafood and its bananas. Seafood can be bought at South Bay's seafood market. Local eateries will prepare it for about ¥15-20 a dish. Other restaurants have their own selection of living sea animals that can be chosen by their guests and will be prepared in time. The seafood prices vary depending on the rareness of the seafood, the catch of the day and the weather conditions. Cheap