Jiming Island

【Escape the City Plan】Weihai Jiming Island: A Healing Journey of Cliffside Coffee and Century-Old Fishing Lights

I. Where Legend Meets Reality
Legend has it that Jiming Island was formed from a rooster dropped by the god Erlang while carrying a load across the sea. This 0.31-square-kilometer island, with its cliffside bookstore, seaweed-thatched cottages, and untouched fishing village life, has become a "spiritual utopia" for city dwellers fleeing the hustle and bustle. Follow in the footsteps of *Where Are We Going, Dad?* and set foot on this azure-encircled island to savor the slow-paced life caressed by sea breezes.

II. Must-Visit Highlights
1. **The Ultimate Romance of the Cliffside Café**
Don’t miss the "Watcher No. 2" café perched on the cliffs of Jiming Island. Sip a hand-brewed coffee while waves crash below and seagulls circle overhead—every snapshot is a masterpiece.

2. **Timeless Charm of Century-Old Seaweed Houses**
The unique seaweed-thatched cottages of the Jiaodong Peninsula, with their thick roofs offering warmth in winter and coolness in summer, resemble a scene straight out of a fairy tale. Their distinctive style even earned them a spot on China’s "Folk House Stamps."

3. **Wild Adventures of Beachcombing**
Grab a bucket and join local fishermen in turning over rocks to catch crabs and starfish, or hunt for moon clams at low tide—nature’s generous gifts await.

III. Two-Day, One-Night In-Depth Guide
**Day 1: Land and Sea Panorama**
- **Morning**: Drive 1 hour from downtown Weihai to Hutoujiao Pier in Gangxi Town, then take a 15-minute ferry to the island (fare: ¥83; children under 1.2m pay only ¥5 for insurance).
- **Afternoon**: Hike around the island to explore ancient barracks and lighthouses. Rent an e-bike (¥50/day) to ride to the Cat’s Head Mountain viewpoint, stopping for cinematic photos on the cliffside wooden boardwalk.
- **Evening**: Feast on a seafood steamboat at Fisherman’s Wharf—think mantis shrimp and scallops dipped in wasabi, paired with giant fisherman’s buns. At just ¥80 per person, you’ll leave stuffed.

**Day 2: Immersive Fishing Village Life**
- **Dawn**: Head out to sea with your homestay host to cast nets; your fresh catch can be cooked for lunch.
- **Afternoon**: Visit the No. 4 homestay from *Where Are We Going, Dad?* Lounge in a hammock listening to the tides, or try traditional activities like net-weaving and seaweed-drying.

IV. Travel Tips
- **Transport**: Take the intercity bus from Weihai Station to Gangxi Town (~1.5 hours). Book ferry tickets a day ahead during peak season.
- **Accommodation**: Opt for a sea-view room at "Qitong Homestay" (~¥300/night in low season), where you’ll wake up to diamond-like beaches.
- **Essentials**: Sunscreen + windproof jacket (fleece pants needed in March), mosquito repellent, and borrow beachcombing tools from your homestay.

V. Why Choose Jiming Island?
Here, there’s no commercial noise—just fishing nets drying on boats, waves dancing between rocks, and sunsets painting the sky as boats return. While city dwellers slog through 9-to-9 routines, grandmothers here mend nets by seaweed cottages, with pots of freshly wrapped mackerel dumplings steaming nearby. This is perhaps the real-life embodiment of the poet Haizi’s vision: "Facing the sea, with spring blossoms."

—Set off! Let Jiming Island’s waves heal your soul.