It's not abroad, but you must take your loved ones to this thousand-year-old seaport dreamland!
Haisi Shougang, located in Hepu County, Beihai City, was a vital departure port of the Maritime Silk Road during the Han Dynasty. Set against the backdrop of the "Ancient County of a Thousand Years," it recreates the bustling scene of merchants gathering 2,000 years ago through live performances, ancient port restoration, and ecological landscapes. The scenic area is planned as "One Line, Four Zones" (Lianzhou Bay Cruise Route, Historical and Cultural Zone of the Departure Port, Maritime Silk Road Island, Mu'an Ecological Zone, and Waisha Pier), forming an 80-square-kilometer coastal cultural tourism resort.
🚗 Transportation Guide
1. **Direct High-Speed Train**: Take the train from Nanning or Beihai to Hepu Station (approx. 1-hour ride), then a 10-minute taxi ride to the scenic area.
2. **Self-Drive/Private Car**: About a 40-minute drive from downtown Beihai, with free parking available.
3. **Tourist Shuttle**: Direct shuttles from Beihai Station and Silver Beach, fare approx. ¥20.
🎫 Tickets & Opening Hours
- **Tickets**: Standard adult ticket ¥230 (¥210 if booked online), local resident ticket ¥170 (Beihai household registration), half-price for children/students/seniors.
- **Opening Hours**: Open all day; recommended to arrive in the afternoon to experience day and night vibes.
- **Recommended Combo**: Night tour ticket including *The Song of Water and Fire* performance offers great value.
👉 Must-Visit Attractions & Experiences
**1. Shougang Ancient Fort – "The Potala Palace of the Sea"**
- **Highlights**: White-walled, gray-tiled terraced buildings with staircases resembling Silk Road routes, perfect for exotic-themed photos.
- **Activities**: Climb to Xihai Pavilion for a panoramic view of Lianzhou Bay; join bonfire parties or music performances on the lawn at dusk.
**2. Hepu Departure Port Historical & Cultural Zone**
- **Immersive Experience**: Over 600 NPCs roam the streets, reenacting Han Dynasty fishermen and merchants' lives. Visitors can interact in events like the "Sea-Opening Ceremony" or "Foreign Merchant Ships Arrival."
- **Architectural Beauty**: Han-style pavilions blended with exotic elements; Hanfu photography recommended.
**3. Mangrove Ecological Boardwalk**
- **Natural Wonder**: Stroll along the 360° seaside boardwalk—mangroves resemble an "underwater forest" at high tide, while low tide reveals mudskippers and fiddler crabs.
- **Family-Friendly**: Explore mangrove waterways by boat or join beach-combing activities (clam digging, crab catching).
**4. Night Tour Highlight – *The Song of Water and Fire***
- **Must-See**: A panoramic interactive performance set in the ancient port, featuring iron-spark displays, fireworks, and torch parades, showcasing the legends of the Maritime Silk Road. Showtime: 18:00–22:00, with the grand finale at 21:30—a starlit fireworks spectacle.
🛏️ Accommodation Recommendations
- **Haisi Shougang Jianguo Hotel**: A 5-star resort within the scenic area, facing the sea and backing the ancient port, ideal for convenience and luxury.
- **Downtown Beihai Stays**: Budget-friendly B&Bs near Silver Beach or Old Street, convenient for trips to Weizhou Island the next day.
🥣 Food Guide
- **Inside the Scenic Area**: Han Dynasty market offers shrimp pancakes, seafood BBQ, and traditional brown sugar drinks; Departure Port Zone recommends Beihai rice noodles and Danjia seafood congee.
- **Local Hepu**: Try ancient sugar-making at Yanlou Fishing Village or buy fresh Lianzhou Bay seafood at Waisha Pier for cooking.
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📅 Itinerary Suggestions
**One-Day Highlights**
- **Afternoon**: Enter at 15:30 → Shougang Fort photos → Mangrove Boardwalk → Departure Port Zone interactions.
- **Evening**: Watch *The Song of Water and Fire* at 18:00 → Join bonfire party → Fireworks at 21:30.
**Two-Day In-Depth Tour**
- **Day 1**: Full-day Haisi Shougang experience (day & night).
- **Day 2**: Ferry to Weizhou Island—explore Crocodile Hill volcanic rocks, Catholic Church, and Shiluokou sunset.
Haisi Shougang isn’t just a scenic spot—it’s a cultural dialogue across millennia. Whether you're a history buff, photography enthusiast, or family traveler, you’ll find your own "Maritime Silk Road memory" here.