A one-stop guide to transportation, attractions, and accommodations at Penglai, Changdao, Shandong, a rare island in China.
Preface
After a long day of work and long-awaited meetings with friends, we finally embarked on our journey to Changdao. Why Changdao? The reason was simple: a friend had once seen a segment on a TV program about Changdao and was captivated by its natural beauty. We booked our flights and accommodations, packed our bags, and set off on a 5-day, 4-night trip. Let's let loose!
Enough of the sentimental talk, let me take you all out on the waters of Long Island! Rockin', rockin'! It's so fun! Let's go, go, go...
About Long Island
Geographical location
Changdao County, Yantai City, Shandong Province, is the only island county in Shandong Province. It lies between the Jiaodong and Liaodong Peninsulas, at the confluence of the Yellow Sea and the Bohai Sea. It sits in the connecting belt of the Bohai Rim Economic Zone and borders South Korea and Japan to the east. Named after Changshan Island, it comprises 32 islands and 8,700 square kilometers of marine area. These islands and 66 exposed reefs lie in a straight north-south arrangement within the Bohai Strait, 42.2 kilometers north of Laotieshan in Liaoning Province and 7 kilometers south of Penglai. The north-south island stretches 56.4 kilometers, and the east-west island stretches 30.8 kilometers. The land area is 56 square kilometers, with a coastline of 146 kilometers. Changdao is divided into South and North Islands. South Changshan Island is the more prosperous, with scenic spots such as Linhai, Fengshan, Xianjingyuan, Wangfu Reef, and Mingzhu Square. North Changshan Island boasts Crescent Bay and Jiuzhang Cliff. In addition to the scenic beauty of the shore, there are also islands accessible by ferry, such as Wanniao Island and Houji Island, where day trips to the sea are also possible.
About Transportation
airplane
Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport—Shandong Penglai Airport
PS: It is recommended to book the air tickets in advance so that you can book a cheaper flight with a better time. The round-trip price I booked was over 700.
bus
Penglai Airport Bus - Penglai Passenger Transport Center Station 20 yuan/person
taxi
Penglai Passenger Transport Center Station - Passenger Port Center, if I remember correctly, it should be 20 yuan per trip.
FERRY SERVICE
Passenger Port Center - Changdao Port, the boat ticket is 45 yuan/person, just take your ID card to the dock to buy the ticket.
We took every mode of transportation we could think of, from bus to plane to bus to taxi to ferry to walk. Luckily, the fishing lodge we booked was about 800 meters from Changdao Harbor, so we could walk there after getting off the boat.
Happy on the deck
I really like these photos I took of my friends. They have a movie-like feel.
Arriving at the fishing resort in the evening, the owner enthusiastically recommended that the perfect sunset be in 20 minutes, prompting us to quickly drop our bags and head to the beach. We were truly grateful for the owner's overwhelming recommendation; we saw a stunning sunset and chased it until it finally set. Our first visit to Changdao was a truly delightful and pleasant surprise. We also took advantage of the fading light to take photos with nature.
Changdao is not large in area, and the best place to watch the sunset on Changdao is next to the connecting bridge between the North and South Islands, where most tourists come to enjoy the view.
Long Island Attractions
Ticket prices
The price of a full-line ticket is 90 yuan per person, which is half the price in the off-season.
Included attractions
Jiuzhang Cliff, Crescent Bay, Fairyland Source, Beacon Hill, Sea of Forests, Wangfu Reef
Tips:
If you go late on the first day, you can just watch the sunset and then go to the attractions on the second day. The boss recommended that you can take the bus to the attractions, but you need to wait, which is time-consuming.
If you go during the off-season, you can also enjoy a taxi service. You can visit all the attractions in one day and be picked up for lunch. It costs 60 per person. The advantage is that it is convenient and saves time.
Chartering a car is very cost-effective during the off-season, but it's almost impossible to find one during the peak season. The fee is paid at the end of the day, which gives tourists peace of mind.
Linhaifengshan
This is Changdao's most iconic attraction, so don't miss it! It features a crucial geographic coordinate: the Yellow Sea-Bohai Sea boundary. Standing at Changshanwei, you'll find the Bohai Sea and the Yellow Sea before you. At that moment, close your eyes and listen closely to the roaring waves of the two seas, as if whispering to each other across this boundless ocean. This breathtaking view is undoubtedly the most unforgettable of your Changdao trip.
There is a strong sea breeze at the top of the mountain. From here you can see the boundary between the Yellow Sea and the Bohai Sea. The boundary between the yellow and blue sea waters is very obvious, and you can also see Changdao Island in the middle of the sea.
Crescent Bay
Changdao's beaches are made up of pigeon-egg-sized pebbles. Those closest to the water are pounded daily by the sea, forming a variety of beautiful shapes. You can spend a whole day here exploring. Changdao's geographical advantage is that it's surrounded by the sea, offering crystal-clear waters and a diverse array of fish. From April to July, the sky is filled with seagulls, so those with a seagull fascination should visit Wanniao Island.
crescent-shaped coastline
Photographed at the exit of Crescent Bay
Jiuzhangya
Jiuzhang Cliff, a masterpiece of nature, is truly breathtakingly beautiful. From afar, the sea and sky merge, while up close, the water is clear and the flowers are vibrant! The perfect combination of rock and peak creates a breathtaking scene at every turn! It feels like a camera can't capture its charm; you can only experience it in person.
My favorite part of this trip was definitely the internet-famous crown. With its mysterious ocean backdrop, it's a must-see for internet celebrities! It's so cool! You'll have to queue up to get in!
In addition, there is a rainbow runway for people to enjoy and rest.
At the end of the Changdao trip, we came to Pearl Square and the highest peak overlooking the entire Changdao. Standing here, we can have a panoramic view of the entire Changdao.
Carousel at Pearl Square
When the ferry docks, the car on the deck goes first
There are several other attractions that I won’t introduce one by one. You can visit all the attractions on Long Island (5 in total) in one day, and there is still plenty of time. I hope this can provide some reference for friends who want to go.
Penglai Attractions
Yantai is a beautiful coastal city, renowned for its Changyu wines, and boasts numerous attractions. Penglai, on the other hand, is best known for the story of the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea, which is located here.
Penglai, known as a "paradise on earth," is best known for its Penglai Pavilion, a must-see destination on any Yantai trip. So, how do we enjoy Penglai's scenic area? Upon learning we were going to Penglai, the owner of a fishing resort strongly recommended a tour guide he knew who would offer cheaper tickets. We contacted the guide, and since it was cheaper than buying tickets online, we decided to visit Penglai Polar Ocean World in the morning and Penglai Pavilion in the afternoon. If I remember correctly, the total cost for both attractions was around 210 yuan.
Penglai Pavilion
Tickets
The pass includes tickets to Penglai Pavilion, Qi Jiguang's hometown, the Navy Mansion, the Ancient Ship Museum, Tianheng Mountain, Gunfight City, Quanzhou Cinema and Dengzhou Museum.
transportation
Take bus No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 in Penglai City and get off at the bus station or the entrance of the scenic spot and walk for 2 minutes (we were picked up directly by the travel agency and paid 10 yuan for the fare)
Opening hours: 08:00-18:00 (Monday-Sunday, January 1st-December 31st)
Penglai Pavilion, one of the Four Great Towers of Ancient China, is a complex of ancient buildings that embodies the wisdom and artistry of the ancient Han Chinese working people. Known as a "paradise on earth," it is said that Penglai, Fangzhang, and Yingzhou are three celestial mountains in the sea, home to immortals. The widely circulated myth of "The Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea" originates from this. Penglai Pavilion overlooks the sea and is perpetually shrouded in mist, creating a fairyland-like experience. With luck, you might even witness a mirage.
There is a feeling of the Great Wall by the sea
On the other side of the sea stands a row of buildings. That is the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea Scenic Area where you can enjoy the beautiful coastal scenery and listen to the myth of the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea!
Standing on the beach in Penglai, I could clearly see Changdao Island not far away. It was then that I realized how small Changdao is. I was amazed at how well tourism has developed on such a small island. Since it was the end of October, the wind was already chilly and there were not many people playing in the water, making it the perfect time to take a couple of photos.
The aerial cableway in Penglai Pavilion Scenic Area
From Penglai Pavilion, walk along the beach all the way to the stone statue of Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea. From here, walk further and you will reach the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea Scenic Area.
Penglai Ocean Polar World
Shandong Penglai Ocean Polar World is Asia's largest ocean world, a National AAAA-level scenic spot with a total investment of 460 million yuan and an exhibition area of 52,800 square meters. It features nearly a thousand marine species from around the world, including polar bears, beluga whales, dolphins, sea lions, and seals. It boasts the world's largest cylindrical tank, Asia's largest tropical rainforest, China's largest science museum, turtle and shark museums, as well as a polar animal museum, underwater world, underwater theater, seal museum, science museum, and dolphin and sea lion performance hall. It is a key "Marine Science Education Base" of the China Society for Oceanography and a "Practical Teaching Base" for the College of Oceanography of Shandong University.
There are humorous and funny dolphin and sea lion performances, allowing you to experience the wisdom and innocence of marine animals.
Tropical Rainforest Pavilion
Let you explore the mysterious Amazon River Basin and see large and rare tropical animals and plants.
Polar Pavilion
Beluga whales, polar bears, penguins, walruses, sea otters and other polar animals will travel with you in the world of ice and snow.
Aquarium
Nearly a thousand species of marine life gather to accompany you on this magical journey of ocean exploration. On Seal Island, hundreds of Bohai seals will offer you close encounters, swimming in groups and performing aquatic ballet.
Multi-shaped submarine tunnels
Thousands of marine creatures seem to be within reach, and the beautiful underwater scenery is in full view, making people linger.
Penglai Changdao accommodation and meals
Since we are going to Long Island first, I will first briefly introduce the food and accommodation in Long Island.
fishing village
Before coming here, we booked a fishing house in advance. It was our first time to experience a fishing house. For us, the most convenient thing was that we didn’t have to worry about meals. We could just come back to the fishing house and eat at mealtime.
The price is 200 yuan per person per day, which includes three meals a day and accommodation. Breakfast is 15 yuan per person and has a rich variety.
Both lunch and dinner are prepared according to the standard of 5 dishes for 3 people. We set the price at a medium level, so the food is also medium.
Key seafood
Almost every meal was filled with seafood. First of all, I have to praise how fresh the seafood was. The mantis shrimp, prawns, and crabs were all very plump. There were shellfish, shrimp, crabs, and fresh fish caught in the local waters. There were many seafood items that I couldn't name, so I won't list them all. Here are a few photos for your reference.
In short, we were stuffed almost every meal, and the boss would often give us extra portions from his own. What a loving boss! I'm a huge dumpling lover, the kind who could never get tired of them. So when I got the Spanish mackerel dumplings and the seaweed dumplings, my heart was filled with joy, and my eyes lit up! I'm also a girl who's easily satisfied. Happiness can be simple: eating my favorite food, playing with my favorite friends, and taking some beautiful photos. At least in this moment, life is enough!
Jianxing Noodle House
Finally, we had the famous Penglai noodles - Jianxing Noodle House. The noodles were really affordable, 3 yuan per bowl, and the taste was amazing. As a big eater, I felt like I could eat two bowls~ The chive dumplings were also super delicious and big. The three of us ate for more than ten yuan, which was very cost-effective and worth the half-hour walk.
Conclusion
Sometimes life offers boundless hope and fills you with surprises; sometimes, even ordinary days can deliver a slap in the face, leaving you bewildered. So, is life a mixture of joy and sorrow? I don't know God's will, but I simply strive to live each day, each moment, with all my heart. Spending more time with my parents and finding time to pursue my passions makes travel a necessity, no matter how busy I am. I'm constantly striving on the path to self-discovery, and every trip is another form of growth. Thank you for your company along the way.
