Lian Island is absolutely stunning! Bookmark this route + guide for a perfect family trip

Lian Island consists of East Lian Island (scenic area, 🎫50 RMB) and West Lian Island (fishing village, 🆓). The scenic area is vast, so follow this guide for an ideal family adventure~

🏨 Hotel
As a hotel enthusiast, Ethan couldn't miss the newly opened voco Lianyungang Haizhou Bay Star Hotel. Our first experience sleeping on a cruise ship was equally novel and exciting for both kids and adults 😂

Hotel distances:
→ Sea Park: 1km, 15min walk
→ Lian Island: 4.9km, 5min drive
→ Cloud Terrace Mountain: 16km, 25min drive
→ Huaguo Mountain: 25km, 29min drive
→ Jiarui Bao Plaza: 2.9km, 10min drive

Beyond its prime location, the hotel boasts excellent facilities with all meals included. Breakfast and dinner are lavish buffets (see pics 😂), while lunch offers semi-buffet Cantonese dim sum. Evening entertainment at the Starlight Bar! Our sea-view room offered sunset ocean views over Sea Park, while kids explored the ship's bridge and decks - a perfect 💯 experience.

🌈 Lian Island Itinerary
East Lian Island (paid):
Yangwotou (spectacular sunrise) → Dashawan Bay → Suma Bay

West Lian Island (free):
Heigou Cave → Abandoned Building → Coconut Tree Spot → Laozhangtou → Fishing Village → Lighthouse

⭐ Attractions
📍 Yangwotou
Locals' favorite sunrise spot with great views and fewer crowds. Lucky visitors might see "blue tears" bioluminescence. The popular "Hollywood" photo spot is here.

📍 Dashawan Bay
Large sandy beach with shaded areas. Perfect for kids to hunt clams and seashells. Offers water sports like jet skis and sailing.

📍 Suma Bay
Finer sand, clearer water. The eastern reef area has more crabs and clams (better for beachcombing than Dashawan). Features cliffside boardwalks, ocean-view pavilions, and cabins - best explored on foot.

📍 Heigou Cave
Follow signs to Reef Bay Homestay, take the stone path down to large rocks, then climb over to find this spot. Visible only at low tide!

📍 Abandoned Building
Offers panoramic Dashawan views, but unsafe to enter.

📍 Coconut Tree Spot
Feels like Hainan - perfect for photos on sunny days.

📍 Laozhangtou
Rocky coastline with photo props like swings and parking available.

📍 Fishing Village
A true "Ocean Potala Palace" with dreamy blue waters against red houses. Watch fishing boats return.

📍 Lighthouse
Sunset paradise! The red-white lighthouse against twilight skies makes perfect photos.

🚗 Transport
Shuttle trains stop at all stations. For West Island, navigate to "Miaohouwan Road". Note: Private cars only enter after 6pm in peak season. Electric bike rentals (~50 RMB/day) available for island tours.

❤️ Tips:
1. "Blue tears" may appear in reef areas after tide recedes
2. Book tickets 1 day early for discounts. Take shuttle from visitor center to Dashawan, then transfer to Suma Bay
3. Sunset viewers may miss last shuttle - plan accordingly
4. Best sunrise (04:30-05:30) at Laozhangtou; sunset (18:30-19:30) at Lighthouse
5. Locals use "Fish Catch" app for tide info
6. For seashells: From Peacock Garden path to Ancient Fort, descend to coastal boardwalk, turn left toward Dashawan for 3min - low tide reveals shell beaches.