As summer starts to fade, be grateful to live where the beaches beckon all year long. Heed that impulse and grab an express bus to gorgeous Xichong Beach for a weekend or an afternoon, letting your cares wash away at the beachside bar Cabana.
“We wanted to make a place where Jimmy Buffet would feel comfortable,” co-owner Adam Gottschalk tells us. Cabana achieves that by emphasizing friendly staff and chill music: a little reggae, some Willy Nelson, ‘Margaritaville,’ of course, and some Hawaiian favorites.
Image by Adam Robbins/That's
During August’s soft opening, there’s beer (all RMB25) – Corona, Tsingtao, Glass Hammer’s kolsch and passion fruit wit, with a coconut mango brew coming soon. Kraken rum (RMB20 a shot, RMB35 with Coke) is there for a bit more kick, and the slushee machine will be swirling with margaritas (RMB50) and a non-alcoholic coconut-mango version if you’re staying sober.
The menu carries over tacos (RMB40-45 for three) from Adam’s old Beijing bar, Ron Mexico. You can choose from BBQ chicken, slow-cooked Mexican carnitas, grilled peppers & onions, richly flavored chorizo, Thai sausage or cilantro lime chicken. Portions are generous and give a foundation to enjoy a beer (or several) from a peaceful hammock overlooking the sea.
Image by Andrew Braun
“Everyone loves the beach,” says Phil Luza, the surf-culture aficionado who, along with Vicky Peng, completes the ownership team. He’s right. The rolling blue waves against Cabana’s clean, clear portion of sand immediately relax us. And Xichong village, barely built up with tourist trappings, is almost ideal. “This is what Japan was like 25 years ago,” Phil muses, gazing out to the surf. His board is around the corner. A few surfers are out on the waves. There’s excitement in his eye.
Image by Andrew Braun
Whether you come to Xichong for the surf or just a day of sun and sand, you’ll find a warm welcome at Cabana. We wish them well in their mission to promote “beach culture,” that laid-back attitude about life that pays attention to our impact on the land and the sea. In China’s plastic-fueled hustle, Cabana might be the antidote we need.
Price: RMB25 a beer; intro special of RMB100 free-flow (11am-6pm)
Who’s going: surfers, holiday makers, anyone who needs to unwind
Good for: casual snacks at reasonable prices, awesome views
Nearest metro: N/A.
See listing for Cabana Xichong.
[Cover image by Andrew Braun]
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