【Rongcheng, Shandong】The seriously underrated "Hometown of Chinese Swans"! 2 days 1 night, 200 RMB per person

🌟 🔥 "No need to go to Iceland, here is the 'Swan Lake'! 🦢 A small seaside town at the easternmost tip of Shandong, where tens of thousands of swans spend the winter, fewer people and beautiful scenery in summer, seafood galore, and prices so low you'll doubt reality!" 🌊 Rongcheng, a hidden gem overshadowed by Qingdao and Weihai, today we'll unlock its secret attractions!

📍 Itinerary (2 days 1 night highlights)
Day 1: Swan Lake + Healing Seaside Tour
✅ Morning:

Yandunjiao Swan Lake 🦢 (Free!)
📌 Asia's largest swan wintering habitat! From November to March every year, tens of thousands of swans play here, and you can feed them up close (corn kernels 5 RMB/bag).
Swan Lake Photography Base 📸 (Free)
📌 At sunrise, swans and fishing boats in the morning mist—every shot looks like a National Geographic masterpiece!

✅ Noon:
🍜 Lunch recommendation:

Rongcheng Seafood Food Stalls (50 RMB per person 💰)
Must-try: Braised sea cucumber with scallions, mackerel dumplings, garlic oysters! So fresh they’re still moving when served~

✅ Afternoon:

Naxianghai Diamond Beach 🏖️ (Free)
📌 Fewer people, fine sand, and bluer water—10 times quieter than Weihai’s popular beaches! Great for kids to dig sand and collect shells; the windmill group at sunset is super romantic.
Blue Weiss Shipwreck 🚢 (Free)
📌 A stranded blue giant ship, lonely and stunning! Full cinematic vibe, perfect for moody photo shoots.

✅ Evening:
🏨 Accommodation recommendation:

Seaweed House Homestay (100 RMB per person 💰)
Jiaodong-style traditional house with a roof made entirely of seaweed! Fall asleep to the sound of waves, super healing~

Day 2: Island Exploration + Cultural Experience
✅ Morning:

Jiming Island ⛰️ (Boat ticket 80 RMB round trip)
📌 Filming location of "Where Are We Going, Dad?"! Cliffside café, lighthouse, fishing village, 2-hour hiking loop, sea views rival Jeju Island!

✅ Noon:
🍲 Lunch recommendation:

Island Seafood Noodles (25 RMB per person 💰)
Freshly caught shrimp and crab by fishermen + hand-pulled noodles, broth so delicious you’ll lick the bowl!

✅ Afternoon:

Dongchu Island 🌊 (Free)
📌 A 600-year-old fishing village preserving original seaweed houses; at low tide, you can hunt for sea stars and small crabs!
Rongcheng Marine Ranch 🐟 (Entrance 50 RMB)
📌 Take a boat out to feed fish and harvest oysters, experience being a fisherman for a day!

💡 Travel Tips (Local insider version)

Transportation: Take the high-speed train to "Rongcheng Station," self-driving or chartering a car (about 200 RMB/day) is recommended between attractions, public buses are limited.
Hidden gems:

Near Swan Lake, there are hot spring hotels ♨️ (soak in winter while watching swans, about 80 RMB per person).
In July-August, you can witness the Blue Tears phenomenon 💧 (bioluminescent sea at Naxianghai at night).

Avoid pitfalls:

Don’t buy dried seafood at scenic spots! Go to the farmers’ market (Shidao Fishing Port Road) for half the price.

📸 "The only place in Shandong! Watch swans in winter, see bioluminescent sea in summer, this small town is stunningly beautiful!"
"‘Little Iceland’ you can visit on a 3000 RMB monthly salary, eat seafood until full without gaining weight!"
"Rongcheng, Weihai locals’ secret backyard garden, go now before it gets too popular!"

👉 Do you prefer Rongcheng’s Swan Lake or the islands?
👉 Anyone want a full guide to Rongcheng’s tide hunting? (Tag friends in the comments to win Rongcheng postcards!)
🌟 Follow me to unlock more hidden seaside towns!