Beilun River Estuary Scenic Area

Beilun River Estuary Scenic Area

The Beilun River Estuary Scenic Area, formerly known as Zhushan Scenic Area, is located at the estuary of the Beilun River, which forms the China-Vietnam border in Zhushan Village, Dongxing City, Fangchenggang, Guangxi. It marks the starting point of the mainland China coastline and is a scenic area primarily featuring historical sites and natural mangrove landscapes.

The Beilun River originates from the depths of Guangxi’s Shiwandashan Mountain Range, stretches over 100 kilometers, and empties into the Beibu Gulf near Dongxing City, Guangxi. Its widest section spans over a hundred meters, while the narrowest is only 10 to 20 meters. The deepest parts reach 5 to 6 meters, and the shallowest less than one meter. The 60-kilometer section from Fanhe Village in Fangcheng District to Dongxing City serves as the border river between China and Vietnam. The majestic peaks and vast, pristine jungles on both sides of the river complement the crystal-clear waters, creating a mysterious and beautiful natural landscape along the border. Along the Beilun River estuary, there are over 1,200 hectares of contiguous mangrove forests—the largest in China—often referred to as the “underwater forest.”

Eight boundary markers, numbered 1 through 8 and inscribed with “Qinzhou Boundary of the Great Qing Empire,” stand along the banks of the Beilun River. In Zhushan Village, Boundary Marker No. 1 of the Great Qing Empire Qinzhou Boundary is preserved. It was erected in February of the 16th year of the Guangxu reign (April 1890 AD), with the inscription written by Li Shoutong, then the Qing government’s Boundary Affairs Commissioner and Prefect of Qinzhou Direct-Controlled Prefecture, who held the official rank of fourth grade. As a historical testament to the Chinese people’s efforts to safeguard national dignity and territorial integrity over the past century, Boundary Marker No. 1 has become a popular tourist attraction drawing visitors from both China and abroad.

The renowned poet Tian Han once wrote: *Blood thicker than water flows in the Beilun River,* *Butterflies dance o’er the peaceful border,* *A red flag flies across the green fields,* *At the border bridge, on the creek stones,* *Chinese and Vietnamese people resisted the French and Japanese,* *Swallows build nests of friendship,* *For a thousand autumns, pleasure boats and mandarin ducks share the ripples,* *Laundry women face each other at dusk, their mallets rhythmically pounding.*