Shandong's "Little Maldives"! A 2-Day, 1-Night Fairytale Trip to Hailu Island (with Photo Spots)

--- 🌴 Hailu Island Travel Guide 🌴 📍 Location - Address: Northwest Sea Area of Chengshantou, Rongcheng City, Weihai City, Shandong Province - Transportation: - 🚗 Self-driving: About 1.5 hours' drive from Weihai city center. Navigate to "Xixiakou Tourist Wharf." - 🚌 Bus: Take the "Weihai-Chengshantou" bus from Weihai Bus Station, get off at Xixiakou Station, and then take a taxi to the wharf. - ⛴️ Ferry: Take a boat from Xixiakou Tourist Wharf to Hailu Island, which takes about 20 minutes (ferry ticket included in the entrance ticket). 🎫 Ticket Information - Peak Season (Apr–Oct): Approx. CNY 120/person (including round-trip ferry ticket) - Off-Season (Nov–Mar): Approx. CNY 80/person - 🕒 Opening Hours: 8:00–17:00 (greatly affected by the weather, it is recommended to check in advance) 🌟 Must-Do Recommendations 1. 🦅 Seagull Kingdom - Tens of thousands of black-tailed gulls inhabit the island. You can see flocks of seagulls circling when you take the boat. You can prepare bread and small fish to feed them in advance (gull food is also sold in the scenic area). - 📸 The photos are super stunning. Remember to capture the moment when the seagulls fly by! 2. 🦭 Wild Seal (Spotted Seal) Watching - Hailu Island is a habitat for spotted seals. If you are lucky, you can see them sunbathing on the rocks! - 🚤 When taking a boat around the island, the captain may deliberately approach the seal activity area. 3. 🏝️ Hike Around the Island - There are wooden boardwalks and viewing platforms on the island. The whole journey takes about 1–2 hours on foot. Along the way, you can enjoy the steep cliffs, clear sea water, and unique reefs. 4. 🌅 Sunrise and Sunset - If you live nearby (such as Chengshantou), come to the island in the early morning or evening for super beautiful light and shadows! 🍽️ Food Recommendations - 🍤 Seafood Feast: After returning to the wharf, you can taste fresh seafood at the fisherman's restaurants near Xixiakou or Chengshantou. Recommended dishes include mackerel dumplings, braised sea cucumber with scallions, and steamed crab! - 🍜 Weihai Specialties: Don't forget to try Weihai barbecue and Korean cuisine (Weihai is close to South Korea, so the Korean food is very authentic). ⚠️ Precautions - 🚢 Ferry Safety: The sea is windy and the waves are big, so it is recommended to prepare seasickness medicine and wear non-slip shoes. - 🕊️ Protect the Environment: Do not disturb the seagulls or seals at will, and do not feed them non-designated food without permission. - ☀️ Sun and Cold Protection: The ultraviolet rays on the island are strong. Protect yourself from the sun in summer, and bring a jacket in spring and fall because of the strong sea breeze. 📅 Best Time to Travel - May–Oct: The climate is comfortable, the seagulls are active, and it is suitable for bird watching. - Avoid Holidays: There are many people during the summer vacation and National Day, so it is recommended to go on weekdays. --- 🚩 Recommended Itinerary (1-Day Tour) 1. Morning: Depart from Weihai → Take a boat from Xixiakou Wharf → Go to the island to watch birds and hike around the island. 2. Noon: Return to the wharf and eat seafood at a nearby fisherman's restaurant. 3. Afternoon: Visit Chengshantou Scenic Area ("Cape of Good Hope of China") or Shendiao Mountain Wild Animal Park (optional for those with children) along the way. --- I hope this guide can help you have fun on Hailu Island! 🌊📸