Beihai (北海)

1. Introduction

Beihai City (Postal romanization: Pakhoi) is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China. It is located in southern Guangxi, along the coast of the Beibu Gulf. The Nanliu River flows from north to southwest into the sea. The city borders Yulin City and Zhanjiang City of Guangdong Province to the east, Qinzhou City to the north, and faces the Beibu Gulf to the west and south. The city covers a total area of 3,337 square kilometers, and the Municipal People's Government is located on Heping Road in Haicheng District. Beihai City is a coastal open city and a National Famous Historical and Cultural City.

Beihai was an important departure port on the ancient Maritime Silk Road and one of China's earliest foreign trade ports. Historically, it served as a major commodity distribution center for trade between provinces such as Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan, Guangxi, Hunan, Hubei and overseas. Beihai is the only city in western China included among the first 14 coastal cities in the country to further open up to the outside world. It is also the only city in western China to simultaneously possess a deep-water seaport, an all-weather airport, high-speed rail, and expressways.

2. Etymology of the Place Name

The name "Beihai" has multiple interpretations. One theory suggests it derives from the Gulf of Tonkin (Beibu Gulf), as Beihai and the Gulf of Tonkin essentially refer to each other. Ptolemy popularized the now-common north-up, south-down map orientation, making the south-up, north-down orientation less prevalent. Another theory traces the name to the local fishing village "Beihai Village," located on the northern sheltered harbor of the peninsula south of Beihai City. The village faces the sea to the north, hence the name.

3. History

3.1 Qin Dynasty

The area of Hepu County was called Baiyue or Yangyue during the Qin Dynasty. In the 33rd year of Qin Shi Huang's reign (214 BC), "the south was taken as the land of Baiyue" and "after Qin unified the world, it pacified Yangyue and established the three commanderies of Guilin, Xiang, and Nanhai." Hepu belonged to Xiang Commandery.

From the 3rd year of Qin Ershi Huhai to the 5th year of Yuanding of the Western Han Dynasty (207–112 BC), Zhao Tuo, the Commandant of Nanhai, established the Nanyue Kingdom, and Hepu became part of the Nanyue Kingdom's territory.

3.2 Han Dynasty

In the 6th year of Yuanding of the Western Han Dynasty (111 BC), the Nanyue Kingdom was conquered, and the seven commanderies of Nanhai, Cangwu, Hepu, Jiaozhi, Jiuzhen, and Rinan were established. Counties were simultaneously established under the commanderies, subordinate to Jiaozhou. In the 5th year of Yuanfeng (106 BC), Jiaozhou was renamed the Inspectorate of Jiaozhi. In the 8th year of Jian'an of the Eastern Han Dynasty (203 AD), Hepu Commandery governed five counties: Hepu, Xuwen, Gaoliang, Linyun, and Zhuya. Beihai belonged to Hepu County within Hepu Commandery.

3.3 Three Kingdoms Period

In the 7th year of Huangwu of Wu (228 AD), Hepu Commandery was renamed Zhuguan Commandery. Hepu County was divided to establish Zhuguan County. In the 5th year of Chiwu (242 AD), Zhuya Commandery was established from the territory of Xuwen. In the 2nd year of Taiyuan (252 AD), Zhuguan Commandery was restored as Hepu Commandery, governing five counties: Hepu, Zhuguan, Changping, Pingshan, Lianshan, and Liandao, subordinate to Jiaozhou. The area of Beihai City successively belonged to Hepu County under Zhuguan Commandery and Hepu County under Hepu Commandery.

3.4 Jin Dynasty

In the 2nd year of Taikang of Jin (281 AD), the empire was divided into nineteen provinces, with Jiaozhou being one of them. Zhuya Commandery was abolished and merged into Hepu Commandery. The province governed seven commanderies and fifty-three counties. Hepu Commandery governed six counties: Hepu, Nanping, Duzhi, and Zhuguan, with Xuwen from the former Zhuya Commandery attached. Dangchang County (present-day Rong County) was established from part of Hepu County. Beihai belonged to Hepu County.

3.5 Southern Dynasties

In the 1st year of Yongchu of Song (420 AD), Hepu Commandery remained subordinate to Jiaozhou. In the 9th year of Yuanjia (432 AD), Songshou, Songguang, and Anju commanderies (in present-day Qinzhou City) were established from Hepu Commandery. Simultaneously, Linzhang Commandery was established from Hepu County and placed under Guangzhou. In the 7th year of Taishi (471 AD), nine commanderies—Linzhang from Guangzhou, Hepu and Songshou from Jiaozhou, and the newly established Bailiang, Longsu, Anchang, Nanliu, Yongning, and Fuchang—were used to establish Yuezhou. Hepu Commandery governed seven counties: Hepu, Xuwen, Zhuguan, Dangchang, Zhulu, Jinshi, and Xin'an. Beihai belonged to Hepu County.

In the 1st year of Jianyuan of Qi (479 AD), the seat of Hepu Commandery was moved to Xuwen. Songshou Commandery of Yuezhou was transferred to Jiaozhou. Songguang Commandery was abolished and re-established as Songguang County, subordinate to Hepu Commandery. Hepu Commandery governed nine counties: Xuwen, Hepu, Zhulu, Xin'an, Jinshi, Dangchang, Zhufeng, Songfeng, and Songguang. Linzhang Commandery governed seven counties: Zhangping, Dancheng, Laoshi, Rongcheng, Changshi, Dubing, and Suiduan, all located in present-day Hepu and Pubei counties. In the 6th year of Yongming (488 AD), the seat of Hepu Commandery was moved back to Hepu.

From the 1st year of Tianjian of Liang to the 3rd year of Zhenming of Chen (502–589 AD), the commanderies and counties of the original Jiaozhou were "abolished, established, split, and merged too many times to record." Jiaozhou was divided into seven commanderies with numerous counties, to the extent that the province's territory was "not as large as a single former commandery," and it was often mentioned together with Yuezhou, Linzhang, and other commanderies. Therefore, the commanderies and counties of Jiaozhou during the Liang and Chen dynasties are difficult to specify by period. Beihai belonged to Hepu County.

3.6 Sui Dynasty

In the 9th year of Kaihuang (589 AD), Hepu Commandery was abolished and Yuezhou was established. In the 1st year of Daye (605 AD): Yuezhou was renamed Luzhou. In the 3rd year of Daye (607 AD), Hepu Commandery was re-established with its seat at Hepu, subordinate to Yangzhou. It governed eleven counties, including Hepu, Fengshan, and Longsu, all located within present-day Hepu and Pubei counties. The commandery's territory included present-day Leizhou Peninsula and Yulin City. Beihai belonged to Hepu County.

3.7 Tang Dynasty

In the 4th year of Wude (621 AD), Hepu Commandery was re-established as Yuezhou. The following year, the Jiaozhou Chief Command was established, soon changed to the Protectorate General, governing Yuezhou. In the 1st year of Zhenguan (627 AD), the Lingnan Circuit Military Commissioner was established, governing the Jiaozhou Protectorate General. In the 8th year of Zhenguan (634 AD), Yuezhou was renamed Lianzhou. In the 1st year of Tiaolu (679 AD), the Jiaozhou Protectorate General was renamed the Protectorate General to Pacify the South. In the 1st year of Tianbao (742 AD), Hepu Commandery was re-established. In the 1st year of Qianyuan (758 AD), it was restored as Lianzhou, still subordinate to the Protectorate General to Pacify the South (the New Book of Tang records it as the "Rongzhou Protectorate General of Lingnan Circuit"). Since the Zhenguan period, the establishment, abolition, division, and merger of provinces and commanderies were frequent, but Beihai's status as part of Hepu County remained unchanged.

3.8 Five Dynasties Period

In the 1st year of Qianheng of Southern Han (917 AD), Changlezhou was established from part of Hepu County in Lianzhou. Additionally, the three counties of Bodian, Linglu, and Yanchang were established and placed under its jurisdiction. Lianzhou governed four counties: Hepu, Fengshan, Cailong, and Dalian. In the 3rd year of Dabao (960 AD), Hepu County was renamed Meichuandu, with 8,000 troops stationed along the coast specifically for pearl diving. The name Meichuan likely originated from this. Beihai successively belonged to Hepu County and Meichuandu.

3.9 Song Dynasty

In the 4th year of Kaibao (971 AD), Meichuandu was abolished. The following year, the three counties of Fengshan, Cailong, and Dalian were abolished and merged into Hepu County. Changlezhou was abolished, and Shikang County was established, incorporating the territories of the former Bodian, Linglu, and Yanchang counties, subordinate to Lianzhou. In the same year, the seat of Lianzhou, originally at Jiuzhou, was moved to Changshachang (present-day Shuntacun, Shikang Town). Beihai belonged to Hepu County.

In the 8th year of Taiping Xingguo (983 AD), Lianzhou was re-established as the Taiping Army, stationed at Haimen Town (present-day Lianzhou Town). Hepu County was abolished and merged into Shikang County. Beihai belonged to Shikang County under the Taiping Army.

In the 1st year of Xianping (998 AD), the Taiping Army was abolished. Lianzhou and Hepu Commandery were re-established, governing Hepu and Shikang counties, subordinate to Guangnan West Circuit, with Lianzhou's seat at Haimen. Beihai belonged to Hepu County.

3.10 Yuan Dynasty

In the 15th year of Zhiyuan (1278 AD), the Huguang Branch Secretariat was established. Hepu Commandery was re-established as the Lianzhou Route Pacification Commission. In the 17th year (1280 AD), it was changed to the Lianzhou Route General Administration, subordinate to the Haibei Hainan Circuit Pacification Commission. In the 28th year (1291 AD), it was changed to the Haibei Hainan Circuit Surveillance Commission, with its seat at Hepu County, still governing Hepu and Shikang counties. It was subordinate to the Huguang Branch Secretariat. Beihai belonged to Hepu County.

3.10 Ming Dynasty

In the 1st year of Hongwu (1368 AD), the Huguang Branch Secretariat was divided into Guangdong and Guangxi provinces. Lianzhou Route was changed to a prefecture, governing Hepu and Shikang counties. In March, it was placed under Guangxi Province; in April, it was transferred to Guangdong Province. Beihai's affiliation with Guangdong began from this time.

In October of the 7th year of Hongwu (1374 AD), Lianzhou Prefecture was downgraded to Lianzhou, and Hepu County was abolished and merged into Shikang County.

In the 9th year of Hongwu (1376 AD), Qinzhou was downgraded to a county, and together with Lingshan, it was placed under Lianzhou, subordinate to Leizhou Prefecture. In May of the 14th year of Hongwu (1381 AD), Lianzhou was restored as a prefecture, and Qin County was restored as a department. Lianzhou Prefecture governed three counties—Hepu, Lingshan, and Shikang—and Qin Department.

In the 8th year of Chenghua (1472 AD), Shikang County was abolished and merged into Hepu County, remaining subordinate to Lianzhou as before. Beihai belonged to Hepu County.

In the early Hongwu period, Japanese pirates plagued the coast. Starting from the western boundary of Shicheng (present-day Lianjiang County), eight forts were established along the coastal area for defense against pirates, in order: Chuanjiang Fort, Longcun Fort, Diaobu Fort, Zhuchang Fort, Baisha Fort, Wudao Fort, Longtan Fort, and Guli Fort. An inspector was stationed at the central Zhuchang Fort (present-day Nankang Town) to oversee them, historically known as the "Zhuchang Eight Forts" or "Pirate Defense Eight Forts." The area of Beihai City was divided between the defense areas of Longtan Fort and Guli Fort.

The establishment of Xiang and Du (basic administrative units) in Beihai began in the Song Dynasty, with no records before that. During the Ming Dynasty, Sancun Xiang and Qinghe Xiang were established. Sancun Xiang covered present-day Haicheng and parts of Yinhai districts. Qinghe Xiang's three Tu covered present-day Tieshangang District.

3.11 Qing Dynasty

In the 1st year of Shunzhi (1644 AD), the establishment and affiliation of Lianzhou Prefecture remained unchanged from before. In the 14th year of Guangxu (1888 AD), Qinzhou was elevated to a directly-administered department, with Fangcheng County placed under its jurisdiction. Lianzhou Prefecture governed Hepu and Lingshan counties. In the 20th year (1894 AD), Weizhou Island, which belonged to Suixi County, was transferred to Hepu. In the 32nd year (1906 AD), the Lianqin Circuit was established, governing Lianzhou Prefecture and Qinzhou. In August of the 3rd year of Xuantong (1911 AD), the Lianqin Circuit was re-established as the Qinlian Military Government, with its subordinate prefectures, departments, and counties unchanged. Simultaneously, the Beihai Autonomous Council was proposed, subordinate to Hepu County under Lianzhou Prefecture.

In the 1st year of Kangxi of Qing (1662 AD), the Beihai Garrison was established. In 1876, the Sino-British Treaty of Yantai opened it as a treaty port. It belonged to Hepu County under Lianzhou Prefecture, with the newly established Beihai Town's Left Battalion of the Regional Commander stationed there for defense.

3.12 Republic of China

In the 1st year of the Republic of China (1912 AD), Guangdong was fully restored. Lianzhou Prefecture was abolished, and the Guangdong Province Qinlian Military-Government Branch was established, soon renamed the Qinlian Pacification Office, stationed in Qinzhou, governing the former territory of Lianzhou Prefecture. Beihai simultaneously established an Autonomous Council to exercise municipal administrative authority, with jurisdiction north to Yangjiashan (belonging to Ganti Township) and east to Xicun Port. It was divided into the Third and Fourth Administrative Districts, with the eastern part of Gaode belonging to the Third District and the western part to the Fourth District.

In the 3rd year of the Republic, the Qinlian Pacification Office was abolished and replaced by the Qinlian Circuit, which was abolished in the 9th year. Hepu County was directly under Guangdong Province. Beihai was a city under Hepu County.

In the 15th year of the Republic, the Beihai Municipal Preparatory Office was established, implementing a municipal system directly under Guangdong Province. The previous basic-level administration still followed the Jinghai Tuan and Ju system unchanged. At this point, the Jinghai Tuan and Ju were abolished. In November of the 17th year, the Municipal Preparatory Office was abolished, and Beihai returned to the jurisdiction of Hepu County. In the 19th year, the Southern District Pacification Office was established, stationed in Maoming, with Hepu County under its jurisdiction. Beihai's status as a city under Hepu County remained unchanged.

In the 20th year of the Republic, Hepu County established autonomous districts. Beihai City belonged to the Second District, with the district seat at Beihai. Its jurisdiction extended north to Yangjiashan and east to Fucheng, governing three towns (Beihai, Gaode, Weizhou) and five townships (Haixi, Haidong, Gaobei, Gaonan, Fucheng).

In October of the 21st year of the Republic, the Weizhou and Xieyang Administration Bureau was established, directly under provincial control.In June of the 22nd year of the Republic of China (1933), the Weizhou and Xieyang Administrative Bureau was abolished, and the area was returned to the jurisdiction of Beihai City. A public security substation was established to exercise the functions of the original administrative committee, and the Beihai Municipal Administration was set up, directly under Hepu County. The grassroots political power reverted to the old district system, establishing several autonomous districts within the original jurisdiction of the group bureaus, totaling 52 districts. This arrangement lasted for a very short period and cannot be detailed here. In the 25th year of the Republic of China (1936), the Southern District Pacification Office was abolished, and the Eighth District Administrative Inspectorate was established, overseeing seven counties: Hepu, Qin County, Lingshan, Fangcheng, Haikang, Suixi, and Xuwen. The district office was located in Lianzhou, with Beihai’s affiliation remaining unchanged.

In the 28th year of the Republic of China (1939), the Second District of Hepu County was renamed the Fifth District, with its jurisdiction extending north to Dalongxu and east to Shitoubu. It governed two towns (Beihai and Nankang) and five townships (Gaode, Fucheng, Bailong, Bai’ejiang, and Dalongxu). The Beihai Municipal Administration was abolished and replaced by the Beihai Town Office.

From the 29th to the 34th year of the Republic of China (1940–1945), the Fifth District of Hepu County was renamed the Third District, still headquartered in Beihai, with a reduced jurisdiction overseeing four towns (Beihai East Town, West Town, Nankang South Town, and North Town) and three townships (Gaode, Fucheng, and Bailong). Weizhou Island was occupied by Japanese forces and temporarily became a no-man’s land. In June of the 34th year of the Republic of China (1945), Weizhou Island was recovered and became a township under Hepu County.

In the 35th year of the Republic of China (1946), the Third District of Hepu County was abolished. In the 38th year of the Republic of China (1949), the Eighth District Administrative Inspectorate was abolished. Beihai East Town, West Town, Gaode Township, Weizhou Township, Powei Township, and Fucheng Township were directly under the jurisdiction of Hepu County.

3.13 People’s Republic of China

On December 4, 1949, Beihai was liberated. On December 7, the Beihai Military and Administrative Committee was established. On December 20, the original East and West Town Offices were taken over, and the East and West Street People’s Governments were established separately. Except for Weizhou Island, which had not yet been liberated, the urban administrative management continued according to the jurisdiction of the old regime.

In January 1950, the Southern Guangdong Special District of Guangdong Province was established, later renamed the Qinlian Special District, governing four counties: Hepu, Fangcheng, Qin County, and Lingshan. The special district office was located in Beihai. In May, the Beihai Town People’s Government was established, replacing the administrative functions of the Military and Administrative Committee. It was under the leadership of the Hepu County People’s Government. In June, grassroots political power at the township and street levels was established. The urban area was divided into six street offices: Zhongshan Outer Street, Zhongshan East Street, Zhongshan West Street, Zhuhai East Street, Zhuhai West Street, and Xinmin Street. The suburban area was divided into six township governments: Dongjing Township, Xijing Township, Gaode Township, Qixing Township, Haidong Township, and Weizhou Township.

In January 1951, Beihai Town was upgraded to a prefecture-level city. In March, the Beihai Municipal People’s Government was established, directly under the leadership of the Guangdong Provincial Government. The grassroots political power was reorganized: the suburban area established three district offices (First District, Fourth District, and Fifth District), and the urban area established two district governments (Second District and Third District). In May, the four counties (including Beihai City) under the Guangdong Qinlian Special District were transferred to the leadership of Guangxi Province.

In March 1952, Beihai City was placed under Guangxi Province. The original five districts were reorganized into four districts, further divided into 22 townships and three towns.

In January 1953, Beihai City was placed under the leadership of the Qinzhou Prefectural Committee of the Communist Party of China, while its status as a provincial-level city remained unchanged. The First and Second District Governments were merged into a suburban area. The Second District Government governed 16 small townships and two towns. The Third District Government was retained, governing three townships and one town. The municipal government was renamed the First District People’s Government, overseeing six residents’ committees. Baojia, Pingyang, and Juntun townships were transferred to Hepu County.

On July 1, 1955, Beihai was returned to Guangdong Province, with its status as a provincial-level city unchanged, and placed under the leadership of the Hepu Prefectural Committee of the Communist Party of China.

In April 1956, Beihai City was downgraded to a county-level city. In July, Baojia, Juntun, and Pingyang townships were again placed under Beihai’s jurisdiction.

In November 1958, Beihai City was transformed into the Beihai People’s Commune of Hepu County, and the Beihai Municipal People’s Government was renamed the Beihai People’s Commune Management Committee. The commune and grassroots units adopted a military-style organizational structure.

In June 1959, the Beihai Commune system was abolished, and Beihai became a county-level town under the jurisdiction of the Zhanjiang Special District. The original military-style units were reorganized into four communes: Fisheries, Suburban, Weizhou, and Urban.

In February 1960, a Water Transport Commune was added.

In April 1961, the commune system was adjusted, reorganizing the five communes into eight: Urban, Xitang, Gaode, Dijiao, Waisha, Xiantian, Weizhou, and Water Transport, with a total of 74 production brigades.

In October 1964, Beihai’s status as a county-level city was restored. In June 1965, Beihai City was placed under the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, governed by the newly established Qinzhou Commissioner’s Office.

In April 1968, the Beihai Municipal Revolutionary Committee was established, implementing a unified party and government leadership system.

In 1979, the Overseas Chinese Fisheries Commune was established, with township-level status.

In 1980, the Beihai Municipal Revolutionary Committee was abolished, and the Beihai Municipal People’s Government was restored, maintaining its status as a county-level city.

In 1982, with the approval of the State Council, Beihai became a tourist city open to the outside world.

In October 1983, Beihai’s status as a prefecture-level city was restored, directly under the leadership of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

In April 1984, Beihai was designated by the State Council as one of the 14 coastal cities further opened to the outside world.

In September 1984, the commune system was abolished, and the district and township (town) system was restored. Two districts were established: Haicheng and Suburban; three towns: Dijiao, Xingang (originally the Overseas Chinese Fisheries Commune, later renamed Qiaogang Town), and Weizhou; and three townships: Gaode, Xitang, and Xiantian.

On July 1, 1987, Hepu County was placed under the jurisdiction of Beihai City.

On November 9, 2010, Beihai City was listed as a National Historical and Cultural City.

From November 30 to December 2, 2011, the 24th World Hakka Conference was held in Beihai City.

4. Geography

Beihai is located at the southern end of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, on the northeastern coast of the Beibu Gulf. It lies between 108°50′45″ to 109°47′28″ east longitude and 20°26′ to 21°55′34″ north latitude. It is approximately 206 kilometers northwest of Nanning, the capital of the autonomous region, 198 kilometers east of Zhanjiang, and 147 nautical miles southeast of Haikou City. The city is surrounded by the sea on its north, south, and west sides, and includes two islands: Weizhou (24.74 square kilometers) and Xieyang (1.8 square kilometers). Weizhou Island is about 20.2 nautical miles from the city center.

The total coastline of the Beihai area stretches over 500 kilometers.

4.1 Climate

Beihai has a subtropical monsoon climate, characterized by warm and humid conditions year-round. The air quality is excellent. The average annual precipitation is 1644 mm, and the average annual temperature is 22.6°C.

Meteorological Data for Beihai City (1981–2010)

| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Record high °C (°F) | 27.9(82.2) | 29.9(85.7) | 31.5(88.7) | 33.4(92.1) | 35.8(96.4) | 36.2(97.2) | 36.2(97.2) | 37.1(98.8) | 36.4(97.5) | 34.7(94.5) | 32.0(89.6) | 28.8(83.8) | 37.1(98.8) | | Average high °C (°F) | 18.7(65.7) | 19.7(67.5) | 22.5(72.5) | 27.0(80.6) | 30.4(86.7) | 31.6(88.9) | 32.0(89.6) | 31.8(89.2) | 31.2(88.2) | 29.1(84.4) | 25.3(77.5) | 21.2(70.2) | 26.7(80.1) | | Daily mean °C (°F) | 14.6(58.3) | 15.9(60.6) | 18.9(66.0) | 23.4(74.1) | 26.8(80.2) | 28.6(83.5) | 29.0(84.2) | 28.5(83.3) | 27.4(81.3) | 24.8(76.6) | 20.7(69.3) | 16.6(61.9) | 22.9(73.3) | | Average low °C (°F) | 11.8(53.2) | 13.4(56.1) | 16.3(61.3) | 20.9(69.6) | 24.1(75.4) | 26.1(79.0) | 26.4(79.5) | 25.8(78.4) | 24.6(76.3) | 21.8(71.2) | 17.5(63.5) | 13.5(56.3) | 20.2(68.3) | | Record low °C (°F) | 3.3(37.9) | 2.6(36.7) | 3.5(38.3) | 9.6(49.3) | 15.0(59.0) | 19.9(67.8) | 22.2(72.0) | 18.7(65.7) | 16.1(61.0) | 12.0(53.6) | 6.4(43.5) | 2.6(36.7) | 2.6(36.7) | | Average precipitation mm (inches) | 33.9(1.33) | 41.5(1.63) | 59.0(2.32) | 77.8(3.06) | 131.9(5.19) | 285.4(11.24) | 394.8(15.54) | 395.3(15.56) | 215.5(8.48) | 79.6(3.13) | 38.3(1.51) | 22.2(0.87) | 1,775.2(69.86) | | Average rainy days (≥0.1 mm) | 8.5 | 11.6 | 12.3 | 11.4 | 11.7 | 14.0 | 14.9 | 18.2 | 13.3 | 8.5 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 135.0 | | Average relative humidity (%) | 78 | 83 | 84 | 84 | 81 | 82 | 82 | 84 | 81 | 76 | 73 | 72 | 80 |

Source 1: China Meteorological Data Network

Source 2: China Weather Network (precipitation days for 1971–2000)

5. Administrative Divisions

Beihai City administers 3 municipal districts and 1 county.

• Municipal Districts: Haicheng District, Yinhai District, Tieshangang District
• County: Hepu County

| Division Code | Division Name | Chinese Pinyin (Official Transcription) | Area (km²) | Resident Population (2020 Census) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | Townships | |-------------------|-------------------|---------------------------------------------|----------------|--------------------------------------|---------------------|-----------------|------------------|-----------|---------------| | 450500 | Beihai City | Běihǎi Shì Bwzhaij Si | 3988.67 | 1853227 | Haicheng District | 536000 | 7 | 22 | 1 | | 450502 | Haicheng District | Hǎichéng Qū Haijcwngz Gih | 182.20 | 527895 | Zhongjie Subdistrict| 536000 | 7 | 1 | 0 | | 450503 | Yinhai District | Yínhǎi Qū Yinzhaij Gih | 540.98 | 315196 | Yintan Town | 536000 | 0 | 4 | 0 | | 450512 | Tieshangang District | Tiěshāngǎng Qū Dejsanhgangj Gih | 503.32 | 145943 | Nankang Town | 536000 | 0 | 3 | 0 | | 450521 | Hepu County | Hépǔ Xiàn Hozbuj Yen | 2762.17 | 864193 | Lianzhou Town | 536100 | 0 | 14 | 1 |

6. Economy

During the Republic era, in 1984, Beihai was declared one of the 14 coastal open cities, including itself, as the only coastal open city in the entire western region. It was once regarded as the gateway and window for China's western provinces to access the sea, likened to a second Shenzhen and a bridgehead for opening up the southwest. This was particularly prominent in Sichuan and Yunnan, with six and five cities respectively establishing sister-city relationships with Beihai.

Currently, Beihai is focusing on the construction of Tieshan Port and developing port-side industries. The relocation and renovation of Sinopec's Beihai refinery, along with a series of supporting projects, will significantly boost Beihai's industrial sector. The entry of China Electronics Corporation, Taiwan's Lite-On Group, Tsinghua Unigroup, and Shenzhen Netac has laid a new foundation for the industrial upgrading of Beihai.

The Beibu Gulf, adjacent to Beihai, is one of China's top ten coastal fishing grounds. It hosts over 500 species of fish, 43 species of shrimp, as well as a diverse array of marine animals such as crabs, shellfish, cephalopods, reptiles, and mammals, along with various algae and other plants. The local economy is primarily driven by fisheries and foreign trade. In 2011, the regional GDP reached 496.

7. Transportation

Due to its unique peninsula geography, Beihai City primarily relies on maritime transport.

7.1 Maritime Transport

It features major ports such as Beihai Port, Tieshan Port, Gaode Port, and Nanwan Port. Beihai International Passenger Port operates daily passenger ships to destinations like Weizhou Island and Haikou.

7.2 Highways

It is the terminus of National Highway 209. The city is traversed by National Highways 325 and 228, as well as the G59 Hubei Expressway, G7212 Liubei Expressway, and G75 Lanhai Expressway.

7.3 Railways

Railways include the Qinbei Railway, Qinbei High-Speed Railway, and the Hezhan Railway (planned). Stations include Beihai Station and Hepu Station.

7.4 Aviation

Beihai Fucheng Airport and the planned Beibu Gulf International Airport.

8. Education

8.1 Higher Education Institutions

• Public Undergraduate University: Beihai Campus of Guilin University of Electronic Technology
• Private Undergraduate University: Beihai College of Art and Design
• Public Vocational College: Beihai Vocational College Currently, the Education Department of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region is deliberating on applying to the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China for approval to merge and restructure Beihai College of Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics with the Beihai Campus of Guilin University of Electronic Technology into Guangxi Marine College.

9. Population

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, the city's permanent resident population is 1,853,227. Compared with the 1,539,251 people from the Sixth National Population Census, there was an increase of 313,976 people over the past ten years, a growth of 20.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.87%. Among them, the male population is 964,301, accounting for 52.03% of the total population; the female population is 888,926, accounting for 47.97% of the total population. The sex ratio of the total population (with females as 100) is 108.48. The population aged 0-14 is 401,390, accounting for 21.66% of the total population; the population aged 15-59 is 1,154,321, accounting for 62.29% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above is 297,516, accounting for 16.05% of the total population, of which the population aged 65 and above is 213,437, accounting for 11.52% of the total population. The urban population is 979,305, accounting for 52.84% of the total population; the rural population is 873,922, accounting for 47.16% of the total population.

9.1 Ethnic Groups

The population of Beihai is predominantly Han Chinese, with ethnic minorities such as the Zhuang also present.

Among the city's permanent resident population, the Han population is 1,788,030, accounting for 96.48%; the Zhuang population is 44,278, accounting for 2.39%; and the population of other ethnic minorities is 20,919, accounting for 1.13%. Compared with the Sixth National Population Census in 2010, the Han population increased by 278,715, a growth of 18.47%, with its proportion of the total population decreasing by 1.57 percentage points; the population of all ethnic minorities increased by 35,261, a growth of 117.79%, with their proportion of the total population increasing by 1.57 percentage points. Among them, the Zhuang population increased by 21,551, a growth of 94.83%, with its proportion of the total population increasing by 0.91 percentage points.

| Ethnic Group | Han | Zhuang | Yao | Miao | Manchu | Dong | Tujia | Korean | Mongol | Hui | Other Ethnic Groups | |------------------|---------|------------|---------|----------|------------|----------|-----------|------------|------------|---------|-------------------------| | Population | 1,788,030 | 44,278 | 5,375 | 2,819 | 2,387 | 1,494 | 1,201 | 1,192 | 1,184 | 908 | 4,359 | | Percentage of Total Population (%) | 96.48 | 2.39 | 0.29 | 0.15 | 0.13 | 0.08 | 0.06 | 0.06 | 0.06 | 0.05 | 0.24 | | Percentage of Ethnic Minority Population (%) | - | 67.91 | 8.24 | 4.32 | 3.66 | 2.29 | 1.84 | 1.83 | 1.82 | 1.39 | 6.69 |

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10. Culture

10.1 Language

Several local languages are spoken in Beihai, with Qinlian Cantonese being predominant, alongside other Chinese dialects such as Hakka and Min.

• Lianzhou dialect (Hepu dialect) is the earliest indigenous Chinese dialect, spoken in the central and western parts of Hepu County, including Lianzhou Town, Dangjiang Town, Shagang Town, Xichang Town, Wujia Town, Xingdaohu Township, Shiwan Town, Shikang Town, Changle Town, as well as Gaode Subdistrict, Dijiao Subdistrict, and the city center in Haicheng District of Beihai City, Yintan Town, Fucheng Town, Pingyang Town, Qiaogang Town in Yinhai District, and Nankang Town in Tieshangang District.
• Wo dialect (a branch of Lianzhou dialect) is spoken in Nankang Town, Xinggang Town, and Yingpan Town in Tieshangang District.
• Haibian dialect (a branch of Lianzhou dialect) is mainly spoken in Shatian Town, Hepu County.
• Beihai dialect (Qinlian Cantonese) is primarily spoken in the urban area of Beihai City. Additionally, many people in the urban area still use Lianzhou dialect (bilingualism is common locally).
• Nankang dialect (Qinlian Cantonese) belongs to Baihua with local accent characteristics, mostly spoken in the town centers of Nankang Town, Yingpan Town, and Xinggang Town in Tieshangang District (with Wo dialect being predominant; bilingualism is common locally).
• Tanka dialect (Guangfu Cantonese, mixed-accent Cantonese) is mainly used by the Tanka people, who primarily reside in Waisha outside the urban area of Beihai, with a minority living in Qiaogang Town, Yinhai District. However, they have gradually been assimilated by the locals, with most speakers being middle-aged or elderly. The Cantonese accent of younger generations has shifted closer to the Beihai dialect.
• Shankou Baihua (Guangfu Cantonese) is spoken in the town center of Shankou Town, Hepu County, located at the border between Guangdong and Guangxi.
• Overseas Chinese Baihua (mixed-accent Cantonese) is a blend of Guangfu vocabulary and pronunciation with the Beihai dialect, spoken in Qiaogang Town, Yinhai District, by descendants of Vietnamese Chinese immigrants.
• Leihua (Min dialect) is used by descendants of immigrants from Leizhou Prefecture. The number of speakers is small, mainly distributed in certain villages of Weizhou Town, Haicheng District, and Banjiuchong, Xinggang Town, Tieshangang District. Note: Weizhou Island was once under the jurisdiction of Leizhou and later incorporated into Lianzhou (Hepu).
• Bomei dialect (Min dialect) is used by descendants of immigrants from Dianbai, Gaozhou Prefecture. The number of speakers is small, mainly concentrated in villages near Fucheng Airport, Fucheng Town, Yinhai District.
• Junhua (Min dialect) belongs to the Eastern Min-Houguan subgroup and is an endangered language with very few speakers. As the name suggests, its speakers are mainly descendants of garrison troops brought by the military stationed locally during the Ming Dynasty. The speakers are distributed in language islands in the eastern towns of Hepu, including Shankou Town, Shatian Town, and Baisha Town. Note: Baisha Town historically had a key garrison area called Yong'an Suo (now Yong'an Village).
• Yaihua (Hakka) is the third-largest language in Beihai (Hepu), with speakers mainly concentrated in the eastern part of Hepu County, including Zhakou Town, Baisha Town, Shankou Town, Quzhang Township, eastern Changle Town, Weizhou Town in Haicheng District (60%), and the coastal areas of eastern Xinggang Town in Tieshangang District.

Since China's reform and opening-up, a large number of immigrants from other regions have moved to Beihai. Currently, the only Cantonese channel still available in Beihai is the Guangdong Southern Television Satellite Channel (Southern TVS-2), broadcast across the Guangxi region. Mandarin, as a common language, is becoming increasingly popular. Therefore, the current linguistic landscape in Beihai's urban area is characterized by a tripartite dominance of Beihai dialect, Lianzhou dialect, and Mandarin.

10.3 Major Attractions

Notable historical sites and scenic spots include:

• Guantouling
• Wanglongyan
• White Tiger Head Beach
• Caohualing
• Xieyang Island Scenery
• Gaodun Ancient Site
• Beihai Silver Beach
• Weizhou Island

10.3.1 National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units

• Dashi Pavilion
• Hepu Han Dynasty Tombs
• Beihai Modern Architecture
• Dalang Ancient City Site
• Straw Sandal Village Site
• Hui'ai Bridge

11. Sister Cities

• Haiphong, Vietnam
• Tulsa, United States
• Yatsushiro, Japan
• Hat Yai, Thailand
• Pohang, South Korea

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Named after "Beihai Village"

Haicheng District

Hepu County

The population of Beihai is predominantly Han Chinese, with ethnic minorities such as the Zhuang also present. Among the city's permanent residents, the Han population is 1,788,030, accounting for 96.48%; the Zhuang population is 44,278, making up 2.39%; and other ethnic minorities total 20,919, representing 1.13%.

Ficus microcarpa

Bougainvillea