Weizhou is a Chinese island located in the Gulf of Tonkin, 70 km south of the city of Beihai, in the Guangxi Autonomous Region. The island is the largest volcanic site of its kind in Chine and a cradle of aquatic life and volcanic formations.

Geological History

Weizhou Island is Chine's most recent volcanic island. It contains the country's largest extinct volcano.

Discovered during prehistoric times, it is the result of a series of volcanic movements. Since the beginning of the Pleistocene epoch, it has gradually formed through eruptions of ash and basaltic magma.

During the 1860s, it was occupied by Parisian missionaries who built churches, hospitals, schools, and orphanages.

Discovering Weizhou Island

Measuring 6.5 km in length and 6 km in width, Weizhou is a continental island spanning 24.74 km² of surface area. It boasts more than 15.6 km of coastline and 10 km of beaches.

Friendly, welcoming, and unpretentious, the people of Weizhou number approximately 20,000 inhabitants today, most of whom are Hakka. The majority of the population still lives from fishing, while others are working to develop tourism. Here, you'll have no trouble discovering daily life in the villages and enjoying local markets brimming with seafood caught that morning.

You'll be struck by the architecture, which contrasts sharply with everything we know of traditional Chinese architecture. Indeed, French influence is evident here, particularly in its grey stone churches, schools, and orphanages.

Beyond its charming villages, Weizhou boasts magnificent natural landscapes. Bordered by blue waters filled with fantastically colored corals, the island is a small paradise in the South Chine Sea.

Weizhou is dominated by volcanic formations that give way here and there to mangrove forests and banana trees that thrive in this terrain. Designated as Chine's second volcanic national park, after Bajiaozhai in Ziyuan district, Weizhou Island is a delightful destination where you can hike and search for stunning craters and caves eroded by lava while enjoying panoramic views of the sea from the cliffs. You can also enjoy its beaches for a peaceful day in the sun.

Climate

Weizhou Island enjoys a tropical climate influenced by the monsoon. It has a temperate climate year-round with oxygen-rich air. The island records an average annual temperature of 23°C and annual precipitation of 1,863 mm.

What to See and Do at Weizhou?

• The long fine sandy beach of Shiluokou, which lines the island's western coast with its turquoise waters and coral barrier, is the island's most famous beach. You can also try your hand at scuba diving.
• Crocodile Hill is also one of Weizhou's picturesque sites. Located west of South Bay, this hill is ideal for visiting the island's main attractions. A wooden plank pathway beginning at the Crocodile Pharos and ending at Moon Bay offers a pleasant walk while discovering several of the island's treasures.
• On its eastern coast, Weizhou features a multicolored stone volcanic beach. Most visitors come here to enjoy the sunset, which bathes the place in a magical and enchanting moment. The descending light reflects off the small wet stones, revealing a visual concert of glimmering light.
• To admire Western architecture, which is rather rare in Chine, head to Shengtang village to discover the Catholic cathedral and the surrounding buildings. Built in 1869 by Parisian missionaries in Gothic architectural style, this church is the first Catholic church built in Beihai. The site spans 774 m² and houses a monastery, school, hospital, and orphanage, all in colonial architecture.
• Saint Mary Church is a Catholic church located in Chengzai village. Like Shengtang Cathedral, this church also displays the Gothic architectural style of Western churches.
• Also known as Tianhou Temple, the Sanpo Temple represents local religion. Built in 1732 and recently reconstructed, Sanpo Temple was erected to drive away evil spirits and bring peace to the island. To this day, local fishermen continue to pray there for good luck, a bountiful catch, and the safety of their homes during their absences.

Weizhou is accessible by boat from Beihai. Several ferries shuttle back and forth daily at 8:30 AM, 11:15 AM, 4:00 PM, and 5:30 PM. The journey takes approximately 1 hour. Prices range between 120 and 180 Yuan.

On the island, it is possible to rent scooters or bicycles.