Lianyungang is incredibly beautiful, but I honestly don't recommend visiting in August because...

Lianyungang Travel Guide (Including Price Guide) Lianyungang, located in the northeast of Jiangsu Province, is a city at the intersection of the "Belt and Road" initiative, boasting both coastal and mountain scenery as well as rich history and culture. Here, you'll find Huaguo Mountain, the "hometown" of Sun Wukong from *Journey to the West*, Lian Island (the largest island in Jiangsu), the golden beaches of Suma Bay, and Yuntai Mountain, known as the "First Scenic Spot of the East Sea." Below is a detailed guide covering transportation, accommodation, food, attractions, and expenses to help you make the most of your trip to Lianyungang! 1. Best Time to Visit **Recommended seasons:** April–June (spring blooms, refreshing coastal breeze) and September–October (crisp autumn air, seafood at its best). **Avoid:** - **Summer (July–August):** High temperatures and humidity, crowded with tourists, but suitable for swimming (remember sun protection and water safety). - **Winter (December–February):** Bitter sea winds; some attractions (e.g., Lian Island) may close, but hot springs (e.g., Donghai Hot Springs) are a great alternative. 2. Transportation Guide **1. Getting to Lianyungang** - **Train/High-speed rail:** - *Lianyungang Station* (main station): Located in Haizhou District, close to downtown attractions. A taxi to Huaguo Mountain costs about ¥20. - *Lianyungang East Station*: Near Lian Island; a taxi to the beach costs around ¥15. - **Flight:** *Huaguoshan Airport* (about 20 km from downtown): Take the airport shuttle (¥20/person, ~40 minutes). **Local Transportation:** - **Bus:** ¥1–2/person, covering major attractions (e.g., Bus Y1 goes directly to Huaguo Mountain). - **Taxi/Ride-hailing:** Starting fare ¥8 for 3 km; short trips in the city cost ¥10–25. - **Shared e-bikes:** ¥3 for 20 minutes, ideal for short rides (e.g., around Xugou Seafood Market). 3. Accommodation Recommendations Options range from budget to mid-high-end, mainly in Haizhou District (downtown) or Lian Island/Xugou (coastal areas). - **Budget (¥100–200/night):** Chain hotels like Home Inn/Hanting (Haizhou, ~¥150/night, near Yanhe Lane Night Market) or Xugou guesthouses (~¥120/night, 10-minute walk to Lian Island). - **Mid-high-end (¥300–600/night):** - *Sofitel Lianyungang* (downtown, ~¥500/night, city views). - *Lian Island Seaside Resort Hotel* (~¥450/night, sea-view rooms with breakfast). - **Unique stays:** - Fishing village homestays (near Lian Island, ¥200–300/night, includes seafood dinner). - Yuntai Mountain guesthouses (~¥300/night, mountain views, perfect for relaxation). 4. Must-Visit Attractions & Tickets **1. Top Attractions** - **Huaguo Mountain Scenic Area (¥90/person, shuttle ¥20/person):** Birthplace of *Journey to the West* culture, featuring Water Curtain Cave, Sanyuan Temple, and Yunu Peak (Jiangsu’s highest point, overlooking the Yellow Sea). *Tip:* Take the shuttle to the summit and hike down (~4 hours). - **Lian Island (Dashawan–Suma Bay) (¥50/person, sightseeing bus ¥25/person):** Jiangsu’s largest island, with Dashawan Beach (soft sand, great for swimming) and Suma Bay (less crowded, golden sands, and rock formations). *Activities:* Speedboat (¥80/person), jet ski (¥150/person). - **Yuwan Scenic Area (¥40/person):** Known as "Jiangsu’s Jiuzhaigou" for its waterfalls, canyons, and unique rocks—ideal for hiking and summer escapes (best water flow in June–July). - **Seaside Yuntai Mountain (¥80/person, shuttle ¥20/person):** Summit offers panoramic views of Lian Island, the port, and the city. Highlights: Faqi Temple, Wudao Nunnery, and Yunding Viewing Platform. **2. Optional Attractions** - **Kongwang Mountain (¥40/person):** Home to China’s earliest Buddhist cliff carvings, great for history buffs. - **Lianyungang Old Street (free):** Republic-era architecture, with museums (free) and photo ops. - **Donghai Hot Springs (¥100–200/person):** Natural hot springs; try Komatsu Hot Spring (Japanese-style, includes meals). 5. Food Recommendations Lianyungang specializes in seafood and Huaiyang cuisine. A hearty meal costs ¥50–100/person. - **Must-try:** - Seafood feast (¥80–150/person): Blue crabs (steamed/spicy), prawns, clams with egg custard, sandfish soup. *Where:* Xugou Seafood Market (pick your seafood, processing fee ¥10–30/dish) or Old Pier Seafood Stall (Xugou, ~¥100/person). - Lianyungang jelly (¥8/bowl): Mung bean jelly with garlic and chili—spicy and tangy. - Ganyu pancakes (¥5/piece): Crispy, served with veggies or sauce. - Huaguo Mountain preserved goose (¥30/box): Low-fat, high-protein souvenir. - **Night markets:** - Yanhe Lane Night Market (Haizhou): Squid skewers, fried noodles, plum blossom cakes. - Xugou Seafood Night Market: Buy fresh catches directly from fishermen. 6. Itinerary (3 Days, 2 Nights) **Day 1:** Huaguo Mountain → Yanhe Lane Night Market - AM: Taxi to Huaguo Mountain (¥20), explore Water Curtain Cave and Yunu Peak (3–4 hours). - Lunch: Simple meal in the park (¥30) or seafood in Xugou (¥80). - PM: Bus to Yanhe Lane for retro photos (1 hour). - Evening: Snacks at the night market (¥40), stay in Haizhou (¥150/night). **Day 2:** Lian Island → Suma Bay → Seaside Park - AM: Taxi to Lian Island (¥15), sightseeing bus to Dashawan and Suma Bay (3 hours). - Lunch: Seafood at a fishing village (¥100). - PM: Free time at Seaside Park (shell collecting). - Evening: DIY seafood at Xugou Market (¥120), stay in a coastal guesthouse (¥200/night). **Day 3:** Yuwan/Yuntai Mountain → Departure - **Option A (nature):** Hike Yuwan’s canyons (2 hours), lunch at a farmhouse (¥50). - **Option B (views):** Bus to Yuntai Mountain (3 hours), Huaiyang lunch (¥60). - PM: Visit Old Street for souvenirs (goose, crystal). 7. Estimated Costs (Per Person) - **Transport:** - Round-trip train/bus: ¥300–600. - Local transport: ¥150–200. - Park shuttles: ¥65. - Optional speedboat: ¥80. - **Accommodation:** Budget (¥300 for 2 nights), mid-range (¥1,000). - **Food:** ¥300 (3 days). - **Tickets:** ¥260 (4 parks). - **Extras (souvenirs):** ¥200. - **Total:** Budget ¥1,275–1,575; mid-range ¥1,975–2,275. 8. Tips - **Seafood caution:** Watch scales at Xugou Market; confirm processing fees. - **Huaguo Mountain:** Wear comfy shoes; bring bug spray. - **Lian Island:** High UV—use sunscreen and hats. - **Yuwan:** Waterfalls are best in rainy season (June–July). - **Donghai crystal:** Buy from reputable stores (e.g., Donghai Crystal City), not tourist traps. Lianyungang—a romantic city embraced by mountains and sea. Climb Huaguo Mountain to trace Sun Wukong’s steps, stroll Lian Island’s golden sands to hear the waves, feast on Xugou’s seafood for a taste of local life—this is Lianyungang’s poetry and vibrancy! 🌊🐒