Title: Beidaihe: China＇s First Seaside Resort

  Beidaihe is in Qinhuangdao, Hebei Province, just over 200 kilometers from Beijing. It was officially opened as a summer resort in 1898 during the Qing Dynasty and is considered the birthplace of modern Chinese tourism. With sea, mountains, and wetlands, its average summer temperature is only around 23–24°C — wonderfully cool. The most famous spot is Geziwo Park (Pigeon's Nest Park), which is legendary for its sunrises — Chairman Mao wrote his famous poem "Langtaosha · Beidaihe" right here. The beaches are soft and the tides are gentle. The area also preserves over a hundred century-old villas, and China's central leaders often come here for work and rest during the summer.

What Visitors Love About It

What attracts visitors most to Beidaihe is its cool weather, convenience, and unique atmosphere. It's just over two hours by high-speed train from Beijing. In summer, standing by the sea with a cool breeze feels so much better than the stuffy city. The sunrise at Geziwo Park, the blue-and-white buildings at Biluota, and the lively beach parties at night all have their own charm. However, peak season brings crowds and overcharging taxis — some tourists have complained that a 12-kilometer ride somehow turned into 17 kilometers, and some drivers pick and choose their passengers. Still, with a bit of advance planning, it's easy to have a relaxing and enjoyable trip.

A Story: A Female Writer's View of Beidaihe 100 Years Ago

In the summer of 1911, a poetess named Lü Bicheng came to Beidaihe and wrote an essay titled "Travelogue of Beidaihe." She compared Beidaihe to a "Western beauty" — "clear, striking, and majestic, like a Western beauty with a slender waist and agile steps, her long skirt fluttering like a fairy."

Over a hundred years ago, Beidaihe was already a fashionable getaway for Chinese and foreign celebrities. A British man named Kinder discovered this stretch of beach while building a railway, and later, foreigners, politicians, and businessmen flocked to build villas here for summer retreats. Another female writer, Chen Hengzhe, once said: "When you mention Beidaihe, two things come to mind — one is Westernization, and the other is fashion." From that time on, Beidaihe was China's most "foreign" seaside town.

Quick Tip

Summer weekends are packed with people and traffic — taking the high-speed train to "Beidaihe Station" is the easiest option. Don't trust taxi drivers' recommendations for restaurants or tickets. For sunrise, go to Geziwo Park; for sunset and night views, go to Biluota in the afternoon. And don't forget to apply plenty of sunscreen!