Plan at a glance
This is a free public beach
The beach area at China First Beach is free to enter all day and suits a half-day or full-day visit for the sea, walking and cycling. Entry to the beach is free, but swimming, the sightseeing train, showers, camping and water activities each have their own charges and operating hours.
The swimming area is open for roughly 09:00-19:30 and the sightseeing train for roughly 10:00-19:00. If you plan to swim, ride the train or camp, check each activity's operating status and start time before deciding when to leave.
Decide whether to stay on the beach or take the train farther along the coast
Walking, renting a bicycle or cycling along the coast from the main beach suits visitors who mainly want the sea and sand. If you want to reach Hutou Mountain, Tangxiali Street or Yanjing Ridge, the sightseeing train saves walking, but its stops, return seats and queues will shape the day's timing.
The train costs about CNY 15 one way or CNY 20 return. The route is about 5.6 kilometres, and one trip takes roughly 40-50 minutes. Before getting off at an intermediate stop, check the next departure and return-seat situation; in busy periods, you may not be able to board again immediately.
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Use the standard admission package for the core shuttle route; confirm the visit date and current opening hours before checkout.
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2-3 hours: the main beach and greenway
With limited time, start at the main beach for a walk on the sand, then continue along the coast or greenway by foot or bicycle. The main entrance is usually busier. If your energy allows, walk farther along the beach for a quieter shoreline and fishing-boat views instead of filling the midday schedule with distant stops.
This route does not depend on the sightseeing train and works well on windy days, for children who should not sit for long periods, or for visitors who want a relaxed stop. Enter the water only within the designated swimming area and when the tide and on-site conditions are suitable; do not treat swimming as safe everywhere along the coast.
Half a day: choose a few train stops rather than the whole line
To visit several coastal points, buy a return ticket from the First Beach station and choose stops such as Hutou Mountain, Tangxiali Street or the Yanjing Ridge area according to your interests. You do not need to get off at every stop. Keep one main stop if your priority is the seaside railway, a walk or sunset, instead of spending the half-day waiting between stations.
The train and popular stops can be busy later in the afternoon. Travellers planning to see sunset should take the train earlier, reach their chosen stop with time to spare, and allow for the return journey, walking and collecting the car. Do not leave the main beach for the first time just before sunset.
For a second coastal stop, China First Beach suits sand time, the swimming area, and the sightseeing train; Shuidong Bay is better for the mangrove boardwalk and a shorter evening stop, while Romantic Coast International Tourism Resort is a separately ticketed resort. Do not plan the three around the same entry, swimming, or service conditions; choose one as the second stop of the day.
Build your day
Start with beach activities, then decide whether to take the train
Arriving in the morning or earlier in the day lets you swim, walk or cycle before the strongest afternoon sun. After that, you can leave directly without waiting for a full train loop if you only want a short stop.
If you decide to take the train, confirm the day's operating hours and return rules at the starting station before choosing a stop. Hutou Mountain and Yanjing Ridge are better for visitors with half a day, some walking ability and a tolerance for strong wind and limited shade.
Separate sunset, showers and departure
You can leave the last part of the visit for the beach or a coastal viewpoint at sunset, but do not schedule sunset, a shower, changing clothes and a long return journey in one tight block. If you use a shower, locker or camping equipment, check the fees and return times early.
If you stay nearby for one night, use the first day for the beach and sunset, then visit another urban or coastal destination on the second day. This is easier to manage than travelling between several distant places on the same day and reduces the time spent rushing in strong sun and heat.
Get there
Park at the beach, then choose how to move around
Drivers can navigate to the China First Beach car park. Parking is around CNY 10 per hour, capped at about CNY 30 per day. Leaving and re-entering within 24 hours may trigger a new charge. Before walking away from the car, check the distance to the main beach and train station so you do not have to cross a long stretch of coast just to collect it.
Parking and entrance crowds increase at busy times, so arrive early. Prepare sun protection, spare clothes and water before leaving the car; this avoids repeated trips between the car park and entrance in the heat.
Public transport reaches the main entrance, but distant stops still require time
From Maoming Railway Station, Route 303 runs to the China First Beach terminal. City routes 201 and 2 are also listed as options. Public transport is suitable for the main beach, but the viewpoints inside the area are spread out, so allow time for walking, train queues or a bicycle rental.
When returning from a distant stop, do not leave only a few minutes before the last bus or a pre-arranged pick-up. After getting off the sightseeing train, you may still need to queue or walk a considerable distance back to the main entrance.
Know before you go
Wind, sun and tides matter more than a photo spot
The beach has strong ultraviolet exposure and sea wind. Bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and a light jacket. If you approach rocks or tidal flats at low tide, watch the changing water level and do not enter unfamiliar water simply to photograph the boats or collect shellfish.
Swim only in the open area and when conditions are suitable. Children, non-swimmers and visitors arriving during rough weather should make the beach walk, greenway or viewpoints their main activities rather than treating the water as essential to the visit.
Check paid services and accommodation separately
Camping, water scooters, beach buggies, showers and lockers are separate paid services. The listed prices are only useful for budgeting; confirm the day's activity, time slot and inclusions before paying. Accommodation near the beach is convenient for an early walk, but food and evening choices may be less concentrated than in central Dianbai.
Before booking, decide whether you value walking access to the beach or easier dining in town. Do not treat the hotels, water park or private facilities of a nearby paid resort as public facilities at China First Beach.