Beihai Golden Bay Mangrove Ecotourism Zone

Beihai Golden Bay Mangrove Ecotourism Zone

The Beihai Golden Bay Mangrove Ecotourism Zone is a national AAA-level tourist attraction.

The Beihai Golden Bay Mangrove Ecotourism Zone is a scenic area abundant in coastal wetland charm and Tanka folk culture. It is located in the eastern section of the Beihai Silver Beach National Tourism Resort. Owing to a large sand dune that faces the sea and resembles a crown, it is locally called "Da Guan Sha." The scenic area spans around 6,000 acres, with mangrove forests covering about 3,000 acres. The protected area mainly consists of an "axis and three zones," namely a 4.5-kilometer seawall axis connecting the Gate Scenic Service Area, the Mangrove Ecological Science Popularization Area, and the Tanka Folk Culture Area.

The Beihai Golden Bay Mangrove Ecotourism Zone is a golden destination brimming with coastal wetland charm and rich fishing culture. Located about 15 kilometers southeast of downtown Beihai, it connects seamlessly with the Beihai Silver Beach, a national 4A-level scenic spot renowned as the "No. 1 Beach under Heaven." The entire scenic area covers approximately 6,000 acres and comprises three parts: the Mangrove Gate Scenic Area, the Mangrove Ecological Sightseeing Area, and the Tanka Folk Culture Area. Within the zone lies over 3,000 acres of "marine forest"—mangroves—where hundreds of species of birds, insects, shellfish, fish, shrimp, and crabs thrive, making it a rare marine biodiversity reserve in China. With its unique and scarce natural landscape, it belongs to the coastal natural beauty belt and represents a harmonious coexistence between humans and the natural environment. The most distinctive features of Golden Bay Mangrove are the Mangrove Sightseeing Area and the Tanka Sea Harvest Experience Area. Mangroves are viviparous woody plant communities unique to tropical and subtropical coastal intertidal zones. They can withstand wind and waves and are known as the "marine forest" and "coastal guardians," being nationally protected rare plants. The mangroves in the reserve are vast, uneven in height, especially the uncommon pure stands of Rhizophora stylosa, whose aged trees grow tall with intertwined roots, presenting diverse forms, lush foliage, and vibrant greenery. They provide ideal spaces for the growth, habitation, and predator avoidance of marine life in and around the forest. Their abundant leaf litter also offers rich food sources for marine organisms. Everywhere you look, you’ll see crabs crawling and fish leaping under the trees, egrets and seagulls flying above, and bees and butterflies dancing—forming a rich coastal wetland food chain that maintains the ecological balance of Beihai’s coastal wetlands. With the ebb and flow of tides, the scenery is captivating. Here, you can enjoy the poetic view of flocks of birds soaring into the sky against blue skies, blue seas, red suns, and white sands. The timeless verse by poet Wang Bo, “Sunset clouds fly together with a lone duck; autumn water blends seamlessly with the boundless sky,” comes vividly to life here.

On April 19, 2017, General Secretary Xi Jinping visited the Golden Bay Mangrove and emphasized the importance of researching and protecting rare plants and building a well-preserved wetland ecological zone for marine biodiversity. This fully reflects the central government’s care and concern for Beihai and even Guangxi, pointing out the direction for the development of the Golden Bay Mangrove. Since then, the popularity of the Golden Bay Mangrove has greatly increased. Our company has placed greater emphasis on the construction of both hardware and software in the reserve. The overall infrastructure has become increasingly comprehensive, service quality has been further improved, and visitor experiences have expanded. Effective marketing strategies and the significant boost from holiday economy have dramatically increased the popularity of the Golden Bay Mangrove. Locals from Beihai and tourists from across the country flock here, following in the footsteps of the General Secretary and retracing his inspection route. This has made the Golden Bay Mangrove a must-visit hotspot, with visitor numbers seeing substantial growth compared to previous years and the tourism economy flourishing.

(1) Mangrove Sightseeing Area

1. Features of the Mangroves

The mangroves in the scenic area belong to the sandy mangrove type, spanning approximately 3,000 acres. The flat terrain, abundant sunlight, and plentiful rainfall of Golden Bay create ideal conditions for mangrove growth. Mangroves are also a unique landscape between land and sea.

Mangroves are a special type of viviparous woody plant. Their viviparous method is highly unique. When mangrove seeds mature, they do not fall off but instead germinate on the mother tree, extending young roots downward. These roots grow into stems, sprout two leaves at the top, and develop into a sapling. Once mature, the sapling detaches from the mother tree. Due to the weight of the stem and roots, the sapling falls vertically, with its young roots penetrating the beach mud to continue independent growth. Within one to two years, it grows into a small shrub. The entire life-creating process of mangroves—from seed maturity to full growth—can be compared to the reproductive behavior of mammals. Their saltwater adaptability and viviparous saplings are two characteristics unique among plants, earning them high attention from scientists and people worldwide. Additionally, mangroves possess a special function: their roots and leaves can filter out the saltwater that would otherwise kill plants, making them the only green shrubs capable of growing in tropical coastal mudflats and seawater.

2. Types of Mangroves and Natural Landscape in the Scenic Area

China has 37 species of mangroves, and the Golden Bay Mangrove Scenic Area hosts seven: Avicennia marina, Aegiceras corniculatum, Kandelia obovata, Sonneratia caseolaris, Acrostichum aureum, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, and Rhizophora stylosa. With the daily rise and fall of tides, the mangroves are periodically submerged in seawater. The tidal changes are related to the moon’s movements, and the mangroves adjust their life rhythms accordingly.

The dense mangroves in the scenic area resemble a graceful green fairy bathing in the light green seawater. At high tide, only parts of her elegant canopy are visible, creating a charming “playing the lute with a half-concealed face” effect. At low tide, her mud-scented trunks shyly emerge from the sea, presenting a scene of “appearing after much calling.” We affectionately call it the “marine forest.”

Mangroves are also a paradise for birds. Various seabirds inhabit the mangroves in the scenic area, with egrets being the most numerous. Flocks of egrets forage and play in the woods, living leisurely. Occasionally startled by fishermen, the sight of hundreds of birds taking flight is spectacular. Here, you can experience the pristine natural beauty and serene ambiance of “sunset clouds flying with a lone duck; autumn water blending with the boundless sky.”

3. Significant Ecological Benefits of the Mangroves

For most plants, the concentration of seawater and soil solution on beaches may be higher than that within the plant, preventing them from absorbing water and nutrients from the soil. Instead, the soil solution may draw moisture out of the plants, causing them to wither. Mangroves do not suffer from this issue because they possess a unique ability—reverse concentration gradient absorption. This special capability enables mangroves to effectively prevent and reduce red tide occurrences and promote the growth and reproduction of marine life. Moreover, mature mangroves with lush foliage and developed root systems form a natural barrier that protects against wind and waves and safeguards seawalls. Additionally, through leaf litter and food chain conversion, mangroves provide nutrient-rich food for shallow-water wetland organisms such as fish, shrimp, shellfish, and crabs.

(2) Tanka Folk Culture Area

The Tanka Folk Culture Area is located in the northeastern part of the scenic area and is divided into the Tanka Folk Park and the Tanka Sea Harvest Area. It spans a planned area of over 2,000 acres and primarily serves functions such as Tanka folk culture performances, visitor leisure, and sea harvest activities. The area includes planned setups for Tanka cultural displays, folk performances, sea harvest experiences, and expansion nodes.

1. Tanka Folk Park

Its main functions include live performances of Tanka folk culture, Tanka cultural displays, and folk performances. Planned features include Tanka farming tools, a Tanka exhibition hall, and Tanka performances.

The Tanka Folk Park, themed around Tanka folk culture, replicates the production and daily tools of the Tanka people as well as modern fishing equipment, comprehensively reflecting their traditional customs. This helps visitors from all over better understand Beihai’s long-standing local culture.

2. Tanka Sea Harvest Area

Nestled between the lush mangroves and the vast sea and sky, the scenic area features endless, enchanting beaches. The beaches here are expansive, pristine, and, although not far from the famed fine-sand Silver Beach, display a strikingly different and stunning golden hue. From afar, they resemble a winding golden ribbon, which also inspired the name of the Beihai Golden Bay Mangrove Ecotourism Zone. Stretching over 20 li, the beach is flat, gently sloped, with fine sand and abundant seafood, making it one of Asia’s largest “sea harvest” playgrounds. At high tide, take a speedboat out to sea to explore the mysterious offshore mangroves. While experiencing dynamic drifting on the sea, visit fishing grounds to lay traps and catch fish, shrimp, and crabs. At low tide, dig for clams, sandworms, and crabs on the charming beach or enter the “Tanka fishing nets” maritime maze to catch fish. “Sea enclosure fishing” is an ancient fishing method used by local fishermen, also known as “fishing nets,” “fish weirs,” or “Tanka weirs.” It involves forming a maze-like net enclosure along the shore. When the tide rises, fish swim into the nets, and when it recedes, they are trapped inside. Visitors can directly scoop them up with nets, making it the most distinctive Tanka-style fishing activity in Beihai, highly favored by tourists and offering an authentic fishing experience.

The scenic area is covered with lush casuarina trees. Casuarinas are evergreen trees that can grow up to 30 meters tall. They grow rapidly, are wind-resistant, and tolerant to saline-alkali conditions, making them one of the best tree species for windbreaks and dyke protection.

In the casuarina forest area, you can either brew a pot of tea, sit in a wooden pavilion, or lie back on a comfortable beach chair, enjoying the sea breeze and views while letting your imagination roam. Alternatively, you can visit the Tanka Folk Park to learn about the daily lives of Beihai’s Tanka fishermen, watch Tanka folk dance and song performances, or head to the vast beach to try sea enclosure fishing, dig for clams, catch crabs, or hunt sandworms. Experience the life of fishermen and enjoy the joy of harvest. Or take a speedboat to admire the mangroves while feeling the thrill of dynamic sea drifting.