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Located in the southwest area of China, Guangxi Zhuang
Autonomous Region possesses a charming city in the south - Beihai.
Due to Beihai's advantageous position, lying on the northeastern
bank of Beibu Gulf, it is known as an excellent tourist city. It
is a hub city connecting the southwest of China to Southeast Asia
while lying adjacent to Guangdong, Hainan, Hong Kong, Macau and
Viet Nam. Beihai is a beautiful and romantic city boasting subtropical
seaside scenery.
Two thousand years ago, Beihai was one of the two departure harbors
of China's famous 'Silk Road on the Sea'. Beihai has experienced
a long history of being open to tourists. This has contributed to
the large number of international tourists found in the city. Facing
the Beibu Gulf, the climate in Beihai is very pleasant: sufficient
sunlight, abundant rainfall, luxuriant plants, green grass and beautiful
flowers flourish in its fresh air. Beihai people are proud of their
quality of air as it is regarded as the best in China, containing
a high content of negative oxygen ions having the ability to dispel
aches, reduce fatigue and blood pressure whilst bringing about a
sense of relaxation. More than ten non-local nursing homes and recovery
centers are built in Beihai thereby providing perfect facilities
for the aged. Many people, both home and abroad, choose to live
in Beihai, as it is regarded as one of China's four most liveable
cities. (Zhuhai, Beihai, Weihai, and Xiamen)
Beihai boasts many scenic areas displaying modern gardening techniques.
Such scenic places include the Beibu Gulf Square, Silver Beach,
Weizhou Island and Xingdao Lake. Many human and cultural scenic
spots also form part of Beihai including Dongpo Pavilion, and Wenchang
Pagoda. Many national tourist resort regions can be found in Beihai.
The exit procedure for travel by sea from Beihai to Xialong in Viet
Nam has been made easier making it more convenient to travel to
Viet Nam.
A strong communication network has formed in Beihai and the transportation
is fast and convenient either by sea, by road or by air. Beihai
Fucheng Airport is one of the three big airports in Guangxi. There
are trains to many cities in China and many highways are in use.
Beihai's harbor makes it easy to travel within China and abroad.
Within the city there are limited bus lines thus pedicabs are very
popular. Cheaper than a taxi, it provides tourists with the opportunity
to see the beautiful local sights.
Dining in Beihai is attractive and provides many types of cuisine
within close proximity Guangdong, Shandong, Hunan, Sichuan and Zhejiang
Cuisine are readily available. Of course there are also many restaurants
serving western-style food. Seafood is popular in Beihai due to
its proximity to the seafood market situated on its shoreline. Fish,
shrimp, shellfish and crab are readily available. The blowing sea
breeze adds to the fun of eating seafood.
As a beautiful garden seaside city in the south of China, it is
no exaggeration to say Beihai is a present given by Mother Nature.
It is welcoming to all tourists from home and abroad.
The fisherfolk of Dan Family, a group of traditional people who
live on the cockle boats in Beihai, can provide valuable information
relating to the local culture. The Dan family is known according
to their way of life: Hao (oyster) Dan makes a living by collecting
oysters and fishing; Zhu (pearl) Dan makes a living by collecting
pearls and fishing in the shallow sea while Yu (fishing) Dan makes
a living solely from fishing. The fisherfolk of Dan Family are bold
and unconstrained, passionate and romantic, and like singing folk
songs. The Dan family integrates a number of traditions in wedding
and funeral ceremonies believing in a number of superstitions. The
Dan family place significance to the Zhongyuan (Hungry Ghost) Festival
and Yapo Festival. The performance about the Dan Family Folk-custom
during this time is held on Waisha Island in Beihai and reflects
a deep commitment to Beihai's culture providing visitors with valuable
knowledge regarding the local way of life.
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