Just returned from Lianyungang: Some hard truths to tell

🏖️Lianyungang, this hidden gem where mountains embrace the sea, is absolutely an underrated travel paradise! The May sea breeze carries the scent of flowers and fruits, the sand is so fine it feels like walking on cream, and even the air tastes of salt and freshness. As Jiangsu's only city with both mountains and sea—a true "romance harvester"—today I'll guide you through the local secrets!👇 🌞【3-Day 2-Night Power Itinerary】 Day 1: Immerse in Lian Island's ocean views ☀️Morning: Head straight to Lian Island's Dashan Bay (entrance fee: 50 yuan)! Step barefoot into the crystal blue water🌊, play beach volleyball, dig for seashells—every casual photo looks like a budget Sanya! Important! Don't linger too long; rush to Suma Bay (free🆓) before 10 AM! Fewer people, clearer water, and you might even spot little crabs🦀️ between the rocks. 🍤Noon: Seafood stalls at Dashan Bay entrance! Freshly shucked and steamed oysters for 1 yuan each, scallops with garlic and vermicelli so delicious you'll lick the shells! Highly recommend "Fisherman's Joy" where the owner will help select the day's freshest catch🐟! 🌇Evening: Catch the sunset at West Lian Island's fishing boat dock! The orange sea spills onto the fishing boat masts—no filter needed! Remember to wear a long dress; the strong wind will help you capture those "wild beauty" shots📸️. Day 2: Spiritual journey to Yuntai Mountain ⛰️Morning: Take the bus directly to the summit of Seaside Yuntai Mountain (entrance fee: 80 yuan)! Standing on the "Cloud Bridge" overlooking the harbor🚢, the breathtaking view of mountains, sea, and city together will blow your mind! Don't miss Wanshou Valley on your way down, with its bamboo walkways exuding fairy-tale vibes🧚♀️. 🍜Noon: Head straight to Lianyun Old Street! Stone paths and red-tiled houses transport you back to the 1990s. Must try "Sister Dan's Liangfen"🍜—slippery pea starch jelly with chili oil so fragrant it'll send your soul soaring! 🌃Evening: Explore the Xugou Seafood Night Market! Palm-sized mantis shrimp salt-and-pepper fried, milky white fish soup so fresh and sweet—expect to spend around 50 yuan per person and leave completely satisfied😭! Day 3: Discover hidden gems 🌅Morning: Arrive at Yangshan Island at 4 AM to catch the sunrise! Pink dawn spilling over the lighthouse tip🌅—so romantic you'll want to get married on the spot! Collect colorful shells🐚 on the rocky beach, but remember to wear non-slip shoes! 🦐Noon: Visit the "Small Fish Pancake" stall! Crispy pancakes wrapped with spicy silverfish and crushed peanuts—double happiness of carbs and protein💥! 🌊Afternoon: Go wild in the water at Yuwan Scenic Area (entrance fee: 40 yuan)! Waterfalls and deep pools every few steps💦, remember to bring flip-flops! Soak your feet in the "Old Dragon Pool" at the mountaintop for refreshing cool mountain spring water. 🔥【TOP 5 Must-Visit Spots】 1️⃣Suma Bay on Lian Island (free!): Water clear as jelly, rocky beach perfect for Instagram-worthy photos! Peacocks🦚 might display their feathers anytime—like walking onto a Journey to the West film set. 2️⃣Seaside Yuntai Mountain: Observation deck offering panoramic views of harbor+city+mountains+sea! Buy the round-trip bus ticket—walking will exhaust you🐶. 3️⃣Lianyun Old Street: Mix of seafood markets, Western restaurants, and jelly stalls! Recommend "1933 Western Restaurant" for steak with sea views🍷. 4️⃣Yangshan Island Sunrise (free!): Less crowded, more wild! Graffiti walls+lighthouse make great photos, and you can explore the fishing village after sunrise. 5️⃣Yuwan Waterfall Cluster: Summer-exclusive cooling planet! Families with kids should check out "Water Curtain Cave"💧—water fights and fish-catching fun! 🏨【Accommodation Recommendations】 🌟Tianji Hotel (inside Lian Island Scenic Area): The only hotel with open-air sea-view balconies! Room 1314 directly faces Suma Bay—watch the tides rise and fall🌊 from your bed, fall asleep to the sound of waves, ultimate healing experience! 🌟Xugou Jinling Shenzhou Hotel: Well-established four-star hotel, 5-minute walk to the seafood night market! Rooms with bathtubs—soak in a rose bath🛁 after a day of walking to instantly recharge. 🚌【Transportation Tales】 ✅Amazing experience: BRT rapid transit for just 1 yuan across the entire city! Bus Route 3 goes directly to Lian Island—super convenient with explosive sea views along the way💥 ❌Warning: Never trust the touting aunties! They claim they can drive onto the island but end up scamming you for entrance and parking fees—nearly made me explode with anger💣 🍤【Food Highlights】 1️⃣Sister Dan's Liangfen: Mung bean jelly so bouncy it could dance! Chili oil fragrant but not overwhelming—add a spoonful of vinegar for divine taste. 2️⃣Small Fish Pancake: Crispy pancake wrapped with spicy silverfish and crushed peanuts—the crunchy sound when you bite is so satisfying! 3️⃣Garlic Oysters: Freshly harvested and opened at West Lian Island fishing port, so plump they burst with juice! Who understands the joy of 1-yuan happiness? 4️⃣Sandlight Fish Soup: Milky white broth so delicious it'll make your eyebrows fall off! Fish meat as tender as tofu—locals must have it during postpartum recovery. 5️⃣Bean Insect Set Meal: High-protein warriors must try! Stir-fried green beans with meat larvae surprisingly tasty and springy—warning: unexpectedly delicious! 💰【Budget Breakdown】 Transportation: BRT+public buses ≈ 30 yuan/person Accommodation: Tianji Hotel sea view room 800+/night, Xugou economy hotels 200+ Food: Seafood 50-100 per person, snacks 10-20 Entrance fees: Lian Island 50 + Yuntai Mountain 80 + Yuwan 40 ≈ 170 yuan 💡【Survival Tips】 ❗️Sunscreen+hat permanently attached to your body! Seaside UV rays will teach you lessons in minutes ❗️Suma Bay stops selling sightseeing car tickets at 2 PM—early birds get priority ❗️Wear non-slip shoes on rocky areas! Witnessed a young lady becoming a meme after falling😭 ❗️Avoid weekends! Holiday crowds comparable to a monkey convention on Flower Fruit Mountain🐒 Enjoying sea breeze while slurping oysters, waiting for sunset on cliffs, encountering the 90s at street corners... Lianyungang's romance is hidden in fragments of light and shadow. This May, bring your 256GB stomach capacity and photography-savvy bestie to be 48-hour island girls! 🌊✨