Beidaihe (běi dài hé 北戴河), a Chinese coastal summer resort, also known as a birding haven, is located in the southwest of Qinhuangdao City (qín huáng dǎo 秦皇岛市), Hebei (hé běi 河北) Province. It has an area of 70.14 square kilometers and a population of 66,000. Its climate, coastline, seaside attractions and convenient transportation all make it a popular destination for travelers.

 
History

Beidaihe has a long history. Early in the Neolithic age, there were ancestors lived and multiplied on this land. In Shang (shāng 商) and Zhou (zhōu 周) dynasties, Beidaihe belonged to Guzhu State (zhū hóu 诸侯时期). In the period of Gaozu (gāo zǔ 高祖) Dynasty 13th year (206-204B.C.), the area of the Beidaihe Lianfeng Hill (lián fēng shān 联峰山) and Jinshanzui (jīn shān zuǐ 金山嘴) had become one of three naval ports on Bohai Sea coast.

The beautiful and mysterious Beidaihe has ever attracted numerous men of the times in Chinese history. It is in this place that First Emperor of Qin Dynasty built Xanadu, Emperor Wu (wǔ dì 武帝) in the Han Dynasty (hàn cháo 汉朝) built the “Hanwu Dais” (hàn wǔ tái 汉武台), and that Cao Cao (cáo cāo 曹操) composed the famous lyric-Viewing Boundless Ocean. The arrival of such outstanding persons in ancient China has made Beidaihe a mysterious and more appealing place.

At the turn of the 19th century, Beidaihe was transformed from a tiny fishing village into a summer resort for European diplomats, missionaries and businessmen from Beijing and Tianjin. After People’s Republic of China was founded, Maozedong (máo zé dōng 毛泽东), Zhouenlai (zhōu ēn lái 周恩来), Dengxiaoping (dèng xiǎo píng 邓小平) and many other leaders took rests here, which brought many people’s attention to Beidaihe. Today it has opened up to local and international tourists alike, who flock here in droves during the hottest summer months.

Climate

Under the influence of marine climate, weather in Beidaihe is mild, moist, cool and pleasant. It is an ideal summer resort since the average temperature here in summer is as low as 23 centi degree. Moreover, Grade I atmosphere quality is ensured here all the year round, free of pollution and noise. Having the forest coverage up to 54% and per capita greenbelt as much as 630 square meters, Beidaihe is endowed with fascinating scenery.
 

Food

Beidaihe is best known for its shellfish, especially crab, lobster, cuttlefish and scallops. As a coastal city, you can find different kinds of seafood in guesthouses and restaurants. Also, there are many local dishes that you can choose what you like.

Steamed Seafood
Seafood is the most popular food in Beidaihe. Crabs, shrimps or clams, the local people like to steam the seafood. How tasty the seafood is when you dip it in juices of ginger and vinegar!

Roasted Prawn
Roasted Prawn is one of the most delicious food in Chinese and western countries. As a seaside city, marine products are abundant in Beidaihe. The dish is made from local Beidaihe prawns, served in a scrumptious dressing and usually accompanied by a soup. Its peculiarity is in its lively molding, bright color and mellow smelling, due to the size of prawn is big and the meat is delicate, and the nutritive is abundant.

Transportation

Beidaihe is located in the north of Bohai Sea (bó hǎi 渤海). It is the important passage where north china is connected to the northeast area of china. With its advantageous geographic location, the transportation in Beidaihe is convenient.

Aviation
Beidaihe is not far away from Shanhaiguan airport (shān hǎi guān 山海关机场). The airport provides scheduled flights which fly to Shanghai (shàng hǎi 上海), Nanjing (nán jīng 南京), Dalian (dà lián 大连), Yantai (yān tái 烟台), Taiyuan (tài yuán 太原) and Shijiazhuang (shí jiā zhuāng 石家庄).

Railway
There is a train station in Beidaihe. The short-distance vehicles from Qinhuangdao to Beijing (běi jīng 北京) all pass the Beidaihe station. In recent years, there are more special trains from Beijing to Beidaihe.

Coach
Beidaihe seashore long-distance bus station has coaches to Beijing, Tianjin (tiān jīn 天津), Chengde (chéng dé 承德), Zhengzhou (zhèng zhōu 郑州) and Shijiazhuang (shí jiā zhuāng 石家庄), etc.

Bus
All the scenic sites have buses or traveling buses for passengers.

Taxi
It’s quite cheap to take a taxi in Beidaihe. The starting price is only 5 yuan, so it is pretty good for you to travel by taxi instead of walking.


Tourism

► The Center Beach
The Center Beach is located in the east coast. The ocean and the hills are at your elbow in this area. It is famous for its soft sand and sea water of moderate salinity, which make it an excellent place to sunbathe and swim. Many modern holiday villages and public bathing places have been built there, where you can taste local snacks and delicious seafood, or relax in ballroom dancing. If you want to get away from the masses, a stroll on the pebbled sand will bring you close to nature.

Pingshuiqiao (píng shuǐ qiáo 平水桥) is the best place for sea bathing, sun bathing and air bathing. More than 20 seawater-bathing places are mostly in this area. The best time for sea bathing is in July to August because of the water temperature, and 2 o'clock in the afternoon is optimum.

Location: In the east coast
Transportation: Take Bus No. 22

► The Tiger Stone Marine Park (lǎohǔ shíhǎi shàng gōng yuán 老虎石海上公园)
In the central area of the scenic spot is a great attraction called The Tiger Stone Marine Park. It occupies an area of 33,000 square meters. It has many huge rocks looking like a herd of tigers. Standing on any of the rocks gives you a deep enjoyment of the beautiful nature. The sea breeze pushing against your face, and the waves beating the rocks, the vast sea will make you feel refreshed and energetic. Besides, it is a good spot for photography.

Location: In the central area of Beidaihe
Transportation: Take Bus No. 22 and get off at Shopping Mall stop.
Opening Hours: 6:00 am – 22:00 pm
Adminssion Fee: RMB 8
Tel: 86-0335-4044470

► Pigeon Nest Park (gē zǐ wō gōng yuán 鸽子窝公园)
Yingjiao Stone (yīng jiǎo shí 鹰角石), which was thought to be the symbol sign for Beidaihe, is located in the northeast of Beidaihe. It’s a twenty-meter (66 feet) steep rock like an eagle perched on the cliff. Because groups of doves nest in the cracks there, it is also called Pigeon Nest Park. The Yingjiao Pavilion on the top is a famous place to watch the sunrise. At sunrise, the water and sky is connected, the color fluctuates; the red glowing sun gushes out for an instant, the aquatic submarine with the red glowing sun docking, instantaneous leaps the water surface, the multi-colored sunlight and the sunlight sprinkles the entire mountain and sand beach, just like being covered with a golden color gauze curtain.

Location: In the northeast of Beidaihe
Transportation: Take Bus No. 34 and get off at Dove Nest Park stop.
Opening Hours: 3:00 am – 18:00 pm (from May to September)
                         8:00 am – 18:00 pm (from October to April)
Adminssion Fee: RMB 20
Tel: 86-0335-4041774

► Lianfeng Hill Park (lián fēng shān gōng yuán 联峰山公园)
Lianfeng Hill Park was built in 1898 by the Qing (qīng 清) government as a small forest park to slip away from the summer heat in Beijing. The pine-covered Lianfeng Hill, which backs on to Beidaihe beach, comprises two peaks, the east peak and the west peak. The two peaks are 1.5 kilometers away from each other. There grows green and luxuriant pines and cypress all over the mountain. Taking the secluded path, you will arrive at Wanghai Ting (Seaside Pavilion wàng hǎi tíng 望海亭) on the top of the hill. From this pavilion, one can even see the harbour of Qin huangdao and Jieshishan (Tablet Hill jié shí shān 碣石山) to the northwest. At the foot of Lianfeng Hill is a beautiful park named Lianhuashi (Lotus Stone Park lián huā shí 莲花石). You can see many huge lotus shaped stones in the park.

Location: Back on to the Beidaihe beach
Transportation: Take Bus No. 21 and get off at Lianfeng Hill Park stop.
Opening Hours: 7:00 am – 17:30 pm
Adminssion Fee: RMB 20
Tel: 86-0335-4041591

► Qinhuangdao Wild Animal Zoo (qín huáng dǎo yě shēng dòng wù yuán 秦皇岛野生动物园)
Qinhuangdao Wild Animal Zoo is the largest wild animal zoo with thick trees in China, located in the national forest park of Beidaihe seashore. It covers an area of more than 500 mu. It is a national 4-A scenic area. In this zoo live 5,000 animals of 100 species. Hills, forest and green land are made similar to the places there the animals naturally live, making them feel that they have returned to nature.

The park is divided into 20 exhibition zones such as walking sightseeing zone, lion zone, tiger zone, white tiger zone, bear zone, jaguar zone, lion zone, Africa Zone, monkey zone, kangaroo zone, herbivore zone, wading bird zone, and peacock zone and so on. In the Africa Zone you can see the largest domestic tropical herbivore group and experience original African custom without going there.

Location: In the middle of Haibin Road (hǎi bīn lù 海滨路)
Transportation: Take Bus No. 34 and get off at Qinhuangdao Wild Animal Zoo stop.
Opening Hours: 7:00 am – 17:30 pm
Adminssion Fee: RMB 80
Tel: 86-0335- 4182208

Nearby Attractions

► Shanhaiguan (shān hǎi guān 山海关)
Situated between the Bohai Sea and the Yanshan Mountains (yàn shān 燕山), Shanhaiguan was a military stronghold during the Ming dynasty and served as a major pass in the eastern section of the Great Wall. It was considered a key location for the defense of the ancient capitals of Beijing and Xi’an (xī ān 西安) from northern invaders. You can still get a sense of the town’s history with its old city walls, small hutongs (hú tòng 胡同) and views of the Great Wall winding its way up the Yanshan Mountains or in the opposite direction, plunging into the Bohai Sea.

► The First Pass Under Heaven, also known as the Eastern Gate or Shanhai Pass, was once the final barrier preventing the northern tribes from encroaching into Beijing. An inscription over the arched gate reads "The First Pass Under Heaven" (tiān xià dì yī guān 天下第一关) in bold Chinese characters 1.6m high, left behind by Ming calligraphist Xiao xian. The gate features a 12m high wall and a two-storey double-roofed tower built in 1381. The tower features 68 archery slots facing north, east and south, giving archers a clear line of sight to shoot any invaders. The gate also features an exhibition of weaponry, military uniforms and traditional costumes.

► Old Dragon's Head (lǎo lóng tóu 老龙头)
Just outside the Shanhaiguan town is the Old Dragon's Head, where the Great Wall meets the sea. This is the easternmost point of the Great Wall, where a stone-carved dragon head once faced the sea. The original wall was badly damaged by the Eight-power Allied Forces in 1900, but the area was restored back to its former glory in 1987. Now, it's a major tourist site, complete with a restored city, pagodas, towers and small museum. Moreover, it stretches 23m into the sea, and it is surrounded by pretty beaches, which are only accessible if you pay the admission price into the site.

► Nandaihe (nán dài hé 南戴河)
Connected to Beidaihe by a bridge over a river, Nandaihe is the newly developed tourist and recuperation resort under Funing County of Qinhuangdao City, Hebei Province.
With its "basic elements for seaside tourism" -- the sea, beach, sunshine and greenery -- Nandaihe is an ideal venue for taking a dip in the sea and sunbathing. The region is also honored as "the First Bathing Venue Under the Heaven".

►Qinhuangdao City (qín huáng dǎo 秦皇岛)
Origin of the name: Emperor Qinshihuang (qín shǐ huáng 秦始皇), China's first emperor came here in BC 215 on his eastward inspection tour. The place therefore got its name and became China's only city named after an emperor.

Leaning against Yanshan Mountain (yàn shān 燕山) to the north and facing Baohai Sea on the south, Qinhuangdao is in the northeastern part of Hebei Province (hé běi shěng 河北省), at the junction point of Northeast China and North China economic areas. The city is known as a bridge head of the new Euro-Asian continental bridge.

Qinhuangdao is a beautiful coastal city. She presents vigorous vitality with her world famous natural port, poetic beautiful seaside scenery, pleasant climate in four distinguished seasons, combination of sea and mountain, prosperous downtown surrounded by lawns and flowers, streets adorned by parks and squares etc. Forestation ratio of the urban area is 41.1%, average public green land per capita is 8.3 m2. Days with grade two air qualities or above reach more than 350 days. The whole city is like a huge natural oxygen bar.