Quieter than Xiamen and cheaper than Qingdao! This underrated seaside town in Jiangsu gets my full score

🌊 A mountain and sea fairyland · The hometown of the Great Sage! Lianyungang 2-day walking tour, few people and beautiful scenery, come quickly

✨Day 1: Mountain and sea wonders + romantic sunset
- Morning: Hardcore climb up Huaguo Mountain
Rush to Jiangsu’s highest peak **Yunü Peak (624.4 meters)**, with rolling sea of clouds full of fairy aura! Head straight to **Water Curtain Cave** to sit on the Great Sage’s throne for photos, watch out for Monkey King stealing snacks (don’t carry plastic bags!).
🚌 Lazy tip: The shuttle bus in the scenic area goes directly to the top, saving your legs! Ticket is 85 yuan including the bus.
- **Afternoon: Head to Lian Island to see the sea**
Barefoot fun on Dashawan Beach, hike along the **seaside boardwalk to Suma Bay**, glass sea + cliff suspension bridge, the orange sea at sunset is stunning! The island loop mini train costs 20 yuan, great value for a ride.
🦞 Stay overnight at **West Lian Island Fishing Village**, seafood stalls serve freshly caught **swimming crab and mantis shrimp**, 60 yuan per person to eat until full! Stay in an island homestay, open the window and listen to the waves to sleep.

🌅 Day 2: Climb high to see the sea + old street nightlife
- **Early morning: Sunrise chase at Yangwotou**
Wait at 5 am at the **east end of Lian Island**, the morning glow dyes the sea red, breakfast carts sell hot soy milk and fried dough sticks, warm and comforting.
- **Morning: Cloud Platform Mountain on the sea**
㊙️ Secret spot: **“Sea and Sky Panorama” viewing platform**! Overlooking the port with giant ships shuttling + Lian Island Crescent Bay, the mountain, sea, and city together look like “Rio de Janeiro of Jiangsu.”
🚌 The scenic shuttle bus costs 20 yuan one way directly to the top, a blessing for the lazy.
- **Evening: Sweep through Yanhe Alley**
Lanterns light up and instantly transport you to the Republic of China era, **Sister Dan’s cold noodles** are sour, spicy, and smooth, **small fish pancakes** wrapped with crispy crackers! Find **crystal bracelets** at the intangible cultural heritage market starting from 10 yuan.

🍜 Foodie radar: Don’t miss these or it’s like you didn’t come!
- Seafood lovers: Rush to Gou Food City! Steamed swimming crab 25 yuan each, sand flatfish soup milky white and fresh to the eyebrows.
- Street food fans: Democracy Road old street, Shrimp Granny (fried small shrimp) is super crispy, Xianghe tofu rolls **5 yuan and filling.

💡 Hard-earned tips
1️⃣ Transportation: Take the high-speed train to **Lianyungang East Station** (close to the sea!), BRT bus costs 1 yuan for the whole route; self-driving, rush to Lian Island before 8:30 am to avoid parking queues.
2️⃣ Accommodation: Couples/families → **Lian Island sea view homestay** (300+ yuan with sunset view); budget travelers → **Xugou chain hotel** (150 yuan near the night market).
3️⃣ Pitfalls to avoid:
✘ Don’t go to Cloud Platform Mountain on rainy days! Fog covers the sea and you can’t see anything.
✘ When buying seafood, watch the scale closely, bringing your own spring scale is more reliable.

> 📢 “The romance of Lianyungang is waiting for the wind on the mountain top, a bowl of fish soup warming your stomach late at night, the unhurried life of a small harbor town. Before it becomes popular, secretly keep this mountain and sea paradise!”

- Budget level: ￥￥ (about 500 yuan per person for 2 days)
- Photo-worthy level: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Suitable for: Students/couples/families with kids