Things to do in Dongxing

When you come to Bailang Beach, you have actually come to Wanwei Golden Beach, which is quite large. Walking from one end to the other, I can feel the beauty of the beach and the changes of the beach. I can see many small crabs crawling on it and a small dead fish lying on it. Local fishermen said that they will go to the other end of the beach to catch squids at night. This is my favorite activity.

Standing at the Dongxing Port National Gate Scenic Area, the five-star red flag flutters in the blue sky, the "China Dongxing" boundary marker stands majestically, and the China-Vietnam Friendship Bridge, like a giant steel dragon, spans the Beilun River, connecting the territories of the two countries. This is the southwesternmost border gate of the motherland's mainland coastline, separated from Mong Cai, Vietnam by only a hundred meters. Every inch of this land bears the imprint of "the majesty of a great power." Standing before the boundary marker and looking back, behind me lies a vast landscape, and before me, exotic scenery unfolds. The solemnity of the border and the strength of the motherland strike the heart at this moment!

When I traveled to Dongxing with my girlfriend, one place I must visit was the Dongxing Port. After all, passing this place is considered to be out of the country. Although the port is not open now, you can still see from going out that the entire port is well built. Compared with the port on the opposite side, our port is much more prosperous and developed. I asked the staff how to go to the opposite side, and the staff replied that it is better to stay here.

In the 11th year of Emperor Guangxu's reign (1885), the Qing government and France signed the Sino-French-Vietnamese Treaty in Tianjin. The following year (1886), the Qing government sent personnel to meet with French boundary surveyor Dillon to survey the Sino-Vietnamese border. In the 16th year of Emperor Guangxu's reign (1890), the then prefect of Qinzhou and French officials jointly signed the "Boundary Treaty" and erected a stone boundary here, so it was called "Boundary Monument No. 1 of the Great Qing Dynasty". "Boundary Monument No. 1" is a symbol of the vicissitudes of the motherland. In fact, this boundary monument is surrounded by Chinese territory. A few dozen meters away from the boundary monument is the Beilun River. The real border between China and Vietnam is in the middle of the Beilun River, which is naturally not suitable for building boundary monuments. Therefore, this boundary monument only serves as an "indication" rather than a "definition". On the other side of the river, on the Vietnamese territory, there is also a boundary monument erected by the Vietnamese side, which also serves as an "indication".

The starting point of National Highway 219 is in Dongxing, Guangxi, but the local government didn't seem to care much about it. They just put up a sculpture by the roadside, which felt a bit perfunctory. It took us a long time to find it when we went there, and the road wasn't in good condition either.

Coming to Chen Mansion was an unplanned trip. I walked here unexpectedly along the small road in Dongxing, saw this French-style building, and went in to see some of the history related to the Anti-Japanese War. Although the scenic spot is not big, it is still a good base for patriotism education. If this scenic spot can be open to the public for free, it will be a better choice.

The Sino-Vietnamese Friendship Bridge across the Beilun River connects the friendship between the people of the two countries. Located in Mong Cai City, Quang Ninh Province, it is a symbol and epitome of the development of relations between the two countries. The older generation of Dongxing people once left a famous saying: "When the bridge is connected, the city will prosper." In the 1930s and 1940s, Dongxing became the main trading port between China and Southeast Asia and the United States, Japan, Britain, and France, and was crowded with Chinese and foreign merchants.

On the shore, I saw Vietnamese people wearing green hats selling all kinds of famous cigarettes, plasters, coffee, etc.

The China–Vietnam Friendship Park in Dongxing is a peaceful and beautiful place to unwind after crossing the border. The gardens are well maintained, the walking paths are spacious, and there are plenty of great photo spots. Best of all, it's free to visit and only a few minutes from the border gate.