Finding My Ocean Paradise Among the Islands of Changhai, Dalian

I've recommended many coastal cities suitable for couples and families, like Sanya, Xiamen, and Beihai, but without exception, they are overcrowded during holidays, with travel costs soaring and experiences diminishing. So I've been searching for a lesser-known, more secluded ocean paradise. [Dalian Changhai] is my new discovery. It's a county of a hundred islands northeast of Dalian, facing the Korean Peninsula across the sea, and it's the nearest border to South Korea. Before arriving, I had no idea this place was such a treasure. Lush islands hide beautiful beaches, simple fishermen offer cheap and delicious seafood, there are magnificent sunrises and sunsets, and you can book an unbeatable sea-view room for just 200-300 yuan. Its natural geographical advantages and pleasant climate, cool in summer and warm in winter, make it a unique vacation destination. Beyond natural scenery and culture, the island infrastructure is also excellent: beautiful sea-view parks, a grand cross-sea bridge, convenient docks, a bustling seafood market, and a variety of homestays and hotels. Despite being a border area, it is thriving, safe, and peaceful. You don't have to worry about any inconveniences, and since there are no crowds of tourists, the travel experience is even better than those traditional coastal cities. This was my biggest surprise during my travels this year—a treasure that combines natural beauty and tourism facilities. I also want to thank Changhai County for protecting and building such an ocean paradise for those of us who love the sea.

So many islands: let's have an exhilarating island-hopping trip

Dalian Changhai County consists of 112 islands, islets, and reefs, including 87 larger islands, of which more than 20 are inhabited, collectively known as the Outer Changshan Islands. The land area is 120 square kilometers, with a coastline of 359 kilometers and numerous harbors. Among them, the islands with better tourism development and facilities are [Da Changshan Island and Xiao Changshan Island], [Haxian Island], [Guanglu Island], [Zhangzi Island], and [Haiyang Island] (see map below). Their names are all very poetic, evoking beautiful fantasies. Among these five islands, the first three are closer to the shore, reachable within an hour by boat, suitable for family trips with elders and young children, or for couples seeking a lazy getaway. The latter two are farther away: Zhangzi Island takes three hours, and Haiyang Island takes four. Being farther from the shore, they offer a more secluded and adventurous feel, with clearer waters, ideal for those who love exploration, tranquility, and photography. Since there are quite a few islands, you might feel conflicted about which one to choose. But this isn't a single-choice question—you can choose multiple! Having traveled a long way, you should see more. If you have 3-4 days, you can choose 2 islands; if you have 4-5 days, you can choose 3. Each island has a different vibe, giving you more experiences and making your trip more colorful.

PS: There are ferry services between the larger islands. For example, after arriving at Guanglu Island from Pikou Port, you don't have to return to Pikou; you can take a direct boat to Da and Xiao Changshan Islands, and from there to Haxian Island, Zhangzi Island, Haiyang Island, etc. ⭐️ The specific ferry schedules are affected by weather and tides and are not fixed. The official schedule is released the afternoon before. You can follow the public account [Changhai Fisherman's Network] to check and buy tickets, or call the dock directly. For more detailed information about the islands, you can search [Island Query Network] on Baidu for relevant attraction distribution.

About getting from downtown Dalian to Pikou Port

From Dalian Zhoushuizi Airport to Pikou Port: A direct taxi costs about 200 yuan and takes 1.5 hours. If you're in a small group, you can arrange a shared ride with the homestay owner in advance for 60 yuan per person. From Dalian Station/Dalian North Station to Pikou Port: There are several high-speed trains to Pikou Station daily, costing about 36 yuan (see schedule below). After arriving at Pikou Station, take a taxi to the dock for 20 yuan.

From Dalian Bus Terminal to Pikou Port: There are four direct buses daily. Schedules and fares are as follows:

PS: There are flights from Dalian Zhoushuizi Airport to Da and Xiao Changshan Islands, with a flight time of 30 minutes and a fare of 200 yuan. However, these are small planes, easily delayed or canceled due to weather, with a baggage limit of 10 kg. Consider this option if you're in a hurry.

Important transit hub to Changhai: Pikou Port Dock

Pikou Port is located on the coast of the Yellow Sea in the Liaodong Peninsula, at Pikou Street, Pulandian District, Dalian City, facing the Changshan Islands across the Yellow Sea. The port has a long history, dating back to the Ming Dynasty Yongle period as an important anchorage in southern Liaoning. In the autumn of 1948, the great writer Guo Moruo, traveling from Hong Kong to the Northeast by boat, passed by Pikou Port. Captivated by the beautiful scenery, he wrote an immortal poem: "Before the den of raccoons, the boat pauses briefly; the sun shines brightly, the sea waves calm; the vast expanse of blue water is like indigo; small islands of coral form a painted screen."

After arriving at Pikou Port from downtown Dalian, you'll see a red-and-white European-style building. This is Pikou Port. From here, there are frequent ferries to Da and Xiao Changshan Islands, Guanglu Island, and Haxian Island, with fares between 45-55 yuan. You can check schedules and book tickets in advance via the public account [Changhai Fisherman's Network]. At the dock, you can collect tickets with your ID card.

If you're going to Zhangzi Island or Haiyang Island, Xingshutun Port has more ferry options.

The self-service ticket machine at Pikou Port dock makes collecting tickets with your ID card very convenient.

This is a roll-on/roll-off ferry from Pikou Port to Guanglu Island. The first floor carries vehicles, and the second floor has seats for passengers. Cars can also be ferried across at 400 yuan per vehicle. However, since the island isn't large, taking a taxi is more cost-effective.

Standing on the deck, watching the bow cut through thousands of pear blossoms, and the stern throw out thousands of white ribbons—the boat drives the waves, and the waves help the boat move—it's very photogenic. The 50-minute boat ride passes quickly. If you visit Changhai in summer, seagulls will follow the boat. Bring some bread to snap photos with them.

First, let's talk about Guanglu Island:

I highly recommend making Guanglu Island your first stop. It has convenient transportation and a relaxed island style, perfect for resting after a long flight and adapting to island life in Dalian. You can take a ferry from both Pikou Port and Xingshutun Port in Dalian, but Pikou Port is recommended because there are more departures and you can book tickets online a day in advance, making it more convenient. PS: Guanglu Island has two docks. If you come from Pikou Port, you arrive at Duoluomu Port; if from Xingshutun Port, you arrive at Beixiaoquan Port. PSS: If you want to go from Guanglu Island to Da and Xiao Changshan Islands, you also need to depart from Duoluomu Port, arriving at Yuanyang Port on Da Changshan Island. Usually, there is one ferry in the morning and one in the afternoon. Guanglu Island is the largest island in Changhai County and one with relatively well-developed tourism. It covers about 31.5 square kilometers, roughly the size of a street in Chaoyang District. Guanglu Island has three main highlights, detailed below:

Highlight 1: Seaview Castle Hotel

Everyone knows the importance of a good hotel for a seaside vacation—it greatly enhances the overall experience. That's also a major reason we chose Guanglu Island. There is a very beautiful seaview castle hotel called [Changhai Discovery Kingdom Guanglu Island Resort Hotel]. It's the best hotel on the island, at a four-star level, standing like a castle on the coastline. It's very beautiful, with facilities including a pool and a beach. From the balcony, you can see the sea, and the price is only 300-400 yuan—much more affordable than Sanya or Xiamen. If you're traveling in a large family or with friends, you can also book seaside European-style villas for an even better experience. PS: After booking the hotel, you can call the front desk to inform them of your departure time. When you arrive at Guanglu Island dock, a car will be waiting to take you directly to the hotel (about 15 minutes). This is very thoughtful. When leaving, they can also take you to the dock for free.

The Discovery Kingdom Guanglu Island Resort Hotel stands between the mountains and the sea, embracing the ocean. Its appearance is very striking.

Besides the main building, there are individual villas nearby. If you're traveling in a group, choose this room type—it will definitely be a hit on your social media.

Such seaside villas are a dream for many, and on Guanglu Island, you can experience them at a low cost—a rare opportunity.

The villa location is also great for watching the sunrise.

We booked the most basic attic-style room, just over 300 yuan. The room was large, 50 square meters, but the only drawback was that it didn't have a window facing the sea.

Walking down the road from the hotel, you can reach a rocky beach. On a clear day, it's a great spot for photos.

Immersed in this beautiful scenery, I felt so content and happy. I think everyone's feelings and emotions by the sea are different—some excited, some joyful, some lost, some sad... The sea has witnessed so many joys and sorrows, and has embraced so many changes in the world.

The water at this rocky beach is very clear. During low tide, you can also go beachcombing here. If you find anything, you can take it back to the hotel's restaurant for processing.

Highlight 2: The Endless Seaview of Laotieshan Park

Laotieshan Park is about 10 kilometers from the hotel. You can call a taxi driver using the number on the front desk sign. A round trip including the park's internal shuttle and waiting time costs 80 yuan per car.

The entrance fee for Laotieshan Park is 30 yuan per person. There are two notable spots: one is the viewing platform near the park entrance, which is the highest point on Guanglu Island, offering a panoramic view of the island. The other is the Mazu Temple, which faces the sea with mountains behind, excellent feng shui. From there, you can also see the nearby Bird Island.

Laotieshan Park is quite large, requiring a car for internal transport. So when you're at the hotel, you can negotiate a price with the taxi driver. The round trip and waiting usually cost 80 yuan. There are two stops in the park: the first is the viewing platform, where you can overlook the entire Guanglu Island along the boardwalk.

If the weather is clear, the viewing platform is even more beautiful—the red-roofed houses and blue coastline form a beautiful oil painting.

The second stop is the Mazu Temple on Wanghai Ridge, about 3 kilometers from the viewing platform. This place is surrounded by a lake and faces the sea, with excellent feng shui.

Behind the Mazu Temple is Fairy Lake, surrounded by mountains. A dam separates the lake from the sea, with the lake and sea embracing each other. It's like a lake emerging from the sea. The rocks around the lake are rugged, and the water ripples slightly. The reflection of huge cliffs in the water gives it a southern charm.

Mazu was a native of Guanglu Island. His father was forced to death by a fishing tyrant, so he fled to Penglai, Shandong to hide. One of the Eight Immortals, Han Zhongli, pitied his tragic story and guided his cultivation, eventually making him an immortal. After returning to Guanglu Island, Mazu eliminated evil and helped the poor, patrolling the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea, rescuing fishermen in distress during storms. He became the patron saint of fishermen in both seas. People deeply admired him, calling him Mazu laozu, and in the sixth year of Chongzhen in the Ming Dynasty (1633), they built this Mazu Temple.

According to the temple's Taoist priest, every year on the sixteenth day of the sixth lunar month, devotees come to the island and temple to burn incense and pray for good weather, abundant harvests, plenty of fish and shrimp, and prosperous families.

Around the Mazu Temple, there are steep cliffs and strange rocks. The unique sea-erosion landscape blends with the historical and cultural scenery.

Wanghai Ridge has a spiritual aura. Seen from afar, it feels like a fairy island overseas.

But personally, I prefer the Bird Island not far from Wanghai Ridge. Locals call it Fantuozi. It's uninhabited, covering only 0.09 square kilometers. Thanks to effective ecological protection in Changhai, from April to September each year, tens of thousands of seabirds like cormorants and black-tailed gulls come here to roost. Rare birds like the yellow-billed egret, a national second-class protected species, also breed here, and their numbers are increasing year by year. It has become a paradise for bird photographers.

Locals say that after more education, residents of Guanglu Island have a strong awareness of protecting birds. Some seabirds fly to the big island, and residents watch over them, not harming them. The people of Guanglu Island hope that everyone will know the appearance and habits of the birds, so that Fantuozi will always be filled with birdsong and flowers.

With the development of our country, environmental protection has become a key task related to people's livelihood. In this regard, Changhai County has taken the lead. It's thanks to this that we can enjoy a vacation destination like Guanglu Island. I believe that in the future, we will live in greater harmony with nature, and we will no longer envy foreign living environments, because there is such a beautiful ocean paradise on our own land.

Highlight 3: Sea Tours and Fishing

When you're on an island, you have to go out to sea to see the beautiful coastline. Guanglu Island's coastline is outstanding among the Changhai Islands. There are steep General's Rock and Immortal Cave, and in summer, Bird Island where tens of thousands of seabirds live. At sunset, charter a small boat for a round-the-island tour—it's especially pleasant.

Taking a boat tour is a signature activity on Guanglu Island because its coastline is unique within Changhai County. Not only can you experience the fisherman's lifestyle, but you can also admire the majestic General's Rock. From April to September, on calm days, you can also go to Bird Island for birdwatching—definitely worth it.

Departing from Moon Bay Dock, after about 20 minutes, at the foot of Laotieshan, you'll see two huge rocks standing in the sea. The taller one is 20 meters high. From a distance, it looks like a giant standing on the sea—this is the famous General's Rock.

Legend says this rock was transformed from a local hero. While fighting off pirates, he was ambushed and fell into the sea. The water boiled and roared, and suddenly a huge rock rose. People thought it looked like a general. His daughter saw this, rushed over, but before she could get close, she froze and turned into a rock as well. Father and daughter stand on the shore of Guanglu Island, guarding the precious island day and night.

The itinerary also included Bird Island, but today was the beginning of autumn, and the weather changed with strong winds. For safety, we couldn't approach Bird Island—a slight regret.

Second stop: Da and Xiao Changshan Islands

I have a strong natural longing for the sea. The coast is where spring comes and flowers bloom, the ultimate destination for all travel, and the homeland of delicious seafood. I had to go. Da and Xiao Changshan Islands are the most convenient sea-view destinations in all of Northeast China. These two islands are actually separate—Da Changshan Island and Xiao Changshan Island—connected by a grand cross-sea bridge. Since the bridge opened, locals consider them as one island. This is where the Changhai county government is located, and it's the most populous island in the Changhai archipelago, with the most frequent ferry connections to the mainland. More fishermen mean more seafood. If your itinerary includes plans for lots of seafood, then coming to Da and Xiao Changshan Islands is the right choice.

Highlight 1: Hotel with Stunning Sunset Views

A good hotel is an integral part of a perfect vacation. On Da and Xiao Changshan Islands, the hotel with the best scenery and most complete facilities is the Haishan Island Hotel. This hotel is located in a bay on Xiao Changshan Island, an excellent spot for watching the sunset. This gives it a great geographical advantage. The hotel facilities are also quite complete: a cafe, restaurant, reading room, pool, seawater sauna, and water sports center. On clear days, you can rent a paddleboard to enjoy sports in the bay. The cafe is in the highest building, offering a full 270-degree sea view. You can read a book while watching the sea, lazily spending an afternoon.

Because it's the county seat, Da and Xiao Changshan Islands have better infrastructure and more towns. Most hotels and homestays are concentrated in the bustling towns, but the Haishan Island Resort we stayed at is tucked away in a quiet bay on Xiao Changshan Island. Although it doesn't have the grandness of a five-star hotel, it's the most resort-like place on the island.

From the rooftop viewing platform of the resort, you can see the cross-sea bridge connecting Da and Xiao Changshan Islands. After disembarking at Yuanyang Port, we took a taxi all the way here.

The resort has plenty of recreational facilities: a pool, sports fields, a spa, and a water sports center where you can rent paddleboards to go out to sea. After checking in, you can spend a pleasant day without even needing to go out and look for other entertainment.

The hotel has two main room types: small wooden houses for about 300 yuan per night, and main building guest rooms for 600 yuan per night. Considering cost-effectiveness, the wooden houses are sufficient.

We stayed in the sea-view room of the VIP building in the main building, with huge floor-to-ceiling windows and a 180-degree panoramic sea view. However, the room's hardware was basic, and at 600 yuan per night, it felt a bit overpriced, so the wooden houses are a better deal.

The Haishan Island Resort also has a nice cafe. Although not as professional or authentic as those in big cities, it's a pleasant surprise on this archipelago.

The hotel's water sports center rents out paddleboards and sailboats. Sailing on calm waters is a true pleasure.

The hotel pool area would have been a perfect spot for watching the sunset, but unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate, and we missed it.

Evening at Haishan Island Hotel

Highlight 2: Abandoned Fishing Boat Beach for Instagram-worthy Photos

About 400 meters from the Haishan Island Hotel, there is a beach with an abandoned fishing boat stranded on the sand. After years of sun, rain, and sea washing, the boat bears the marks of time and looks particularly beautiful. During low tide, go to the beach and take photos with this boat—every shot is a picture full of mood. If you want to sit on the boat, be careful of nails to avoid injury.

An abandoned fishing boat, thanks to sea erosion, has become quite beautiful—even the biggest surprise on Da and Xiao Changshan Islands.

Wear a dress and sit on the boat—it instantly creates a moody, emotional photo. Prepare some nice clothes.

Highlight 3: Xiaoshuikou Forest Park

Xiaoshuikou Forest Park is located on the coast of Xiao Changshan Island. The forest meets the sea, inherently romantic, and the coastal walking trail built along the coastline adds another layer of charm. Moreover, the sea here has an ethereal quality—light green, deep blue—enchanting! The wooden boardwalk is 550 meters long, with a 30-meter glass-bottomed section that is most eye-catching. Visitors can clearly see the rocks and sea beneath their feet, experiencing both heart-pounding excitement and magnificent views of layered peaks and crashing waves.

Xiaoshuikou Forest Park is the only paid scenic spot on Da and Xiao Changshan Islands. Most of the time, you walk along the long coastal boardwalk. Going during the morning high tide gives the feeling of walking on the sea. The highlight is a beautiful glass-bottomed bridge and an exciting sea suspension bridge. The entrance fee is 40 yuan, and it takes about an hour to complete the tour. A one-way taxi fare from Haishan Island Hotel to Xiaoshuikou Forest Park is 40 yuan.

Xiaoshuikou Forest Park isn't big, but because it's by the sea, it's definitely worth visiting.

Personally, I think a scenic spot doesn't need to be huge—large places can be tiring and feel similar. A place of this size is just right.

Xiaoshuikou Forest Park is divided into two main areas: the Xiaoshuikou area and the Lieyuping Observation Deck. The Xiaoshuikou area is famous for its clear water, fast currents, lush forests, beautiful scenery, and typical small-island landscapes.

Highlight 4: Feasting at the Seafood Market

Everyone has had seafood in Sanya or Xiamen. Whether it's tasty or not, it's sure to be expensive—too many tourists spoil the market. But seafood in Dalian Changhai is both cheap and fresh. Why? Because this is the largest seafood production area in northern China, with no middlemen to drive up prices. Near Jinchan Port on Da Changshan Island, there is a Bogang Market. Most shellfish cost 10 yuan per jin, orchid crabs and mantis shrimp 30 yuan per jin, various large shrimp 50 yuan per jin. After buying, you can take them to a nearby restaurant for processing—10-15 yuan per dish. Prices are reasonable, so you can fill your stomach with seafood without breaking the bank.

The seafood prices in the market are relatively stable and fair. You can buy with confidence.

Very simple fisherman's sister

Our group bought a whole table full of seafood. We ate until we were stuffed and still couldn't finish it. The total cost for ingredients and processing came out to less than 100 yuan per person—very reasonable. The local chefs deal with seafood daily, so they know how to bring out the flavor.

You may have eaten dried sea cucumber, but fresh sea cucumber is a rare treat. Don't miss it when you come to Changhai. Changhai County is located at the junction of cold and warm climates in China, and with its unique continental shelf structure, the seabed often experiences the intersection of north-south and cold-warm currents. The water exchange and self-purification capacity are better than in other seas. The swift currents give Changhai sea cucumbers a unique elastic and firm texture. Moreover, because Changhai sea cucumbers grow in the open deep sea, they are constantly in motion, growing slowly but accumulating nutrients fully, resulting in higher quality. So when you come to Da and Xiao Changshan Islands, don't miss this delicacy.

Third stop: Haxian Island

Some people love vacations where they don't schedule any attractions; just lying by the sea is comfortable. Some love photography, waking up at five and sleeping at midnight, shooting from sunrise to starry skies, carrying a tripod and a heavy backpack, not missing any beautiful view, with a heart full of magnificent landscapes, willing to endure hardship. Some enjoy experiencing local culture, living a different life when they arrive, feeling the local way of life. No matter which type you are, Haxian Island is perfect for you.

Compared to Guanglu Island and Da and Xiao Changshan Islands, Haxian Island is much smaller. But despite its size, this island is very refined, lacking none of the elements of a sea island. It can even be seen as a microcosm of Changhai County. The small size means less travel hassle, making it more suitable for families with children.

From Da and Xiao Changshan Islands, it's only a 20-minute ferry ride to Haxian Island. If you contact the homestay owner in advance, they can even pick you up by speedboat, taking only 5 minutes—very convenient.

Along the way, you'll see many fisherman-related elements. If you enjoy cultural photography, don't miss Haxian Island.

Highlight 1: Simple Fisherman Homestay Experience

After visiting Guanglu Island and Da and Xiao Changshan Islands, we chose Haxian Island as our third island, which is close to the previous ones. This island is small, so no large-scale resort has been built. The accommodation options are all fisherman homestays, which preserves a stronger fisherman atmosphere. Coupled with beautiful scenery, it has long been a favorite weekend getaway for Dalian locals. From the moment you set foot on the island, the homestay owner arranges all your food, accommodation, transportation, and activities—all inclusive, at around 280 yuan per person. They take you beachcombing, swimming, watching the sunset, fishing at sea—experiencing seaside life like a fisherman.

The lush Haxian Island

There are about a dozen homestays on the island, with similar prices. The basic rate of 280 yuan includes three meals and one night's accommodation. After booking online, inform them of your ferry information, and the owner will pick you up at the dock for free. From then on, your itinerary and meals on the island are all arranged. You don't need to worry about anything—perfect for a lazy vacation.

The homestay we stayed at was very beautiful, with a particularly good location right by the sea. During low tide, a road appears leading to the East Bell Tower on a small island center, which is an exclusive resource. If you also want to stay here, you can ask me privately.

The West Bell Tower in the distance

This is the homestay we stayed at—considered the largest on the island. The conditions are better than other farm stays, but still not comparable to hotels. So visitors to Haxian Island shouldn't expect high-end accommodation. We came in September during the off-season, with only two groups of guests. The owner took special care of us, giving us the seaside wooden house closest to the sea at the basic rate (the row of yellow little houses in the picture), and then kept taking us around. The island isn't big—everywhere is only 5-6 minutes by car.

The meals were generous—more than half were seafood. For two people, such a large table, and everything was fresh, not filler. After all, it's the origin of seafood—truly different.

From the homestay's viewing platform, you can see Da and Xiao Changshan Islands. The sunrise rises just over the cross-sea bridge—very beautiful.

Highlight 2: Beachcombing at East Bell Tower

There are quite a few homestays on Haxian Island, about a dozen. We found the largest one by luck and intuition. The owner was nice, driving directly to the dock to pick us up, arranging for us a seaside wooden house with sea view, closest to the sea. The location of this homestay is excellent, right next to Haxian Island's popular attraction, the East Bell Tower. This is also a place where locals like to go beachcombing. So after checking in and dropping off our luggage, we went beachcombing during low tide.

The East Bell Tower is not actually a bell tower, but a square-shaped islet resembling a bell tower. During low tide, a road to the East Bell Tower emerges from the sea. This road leaves behind many small creatures that haven't returned to the sea—crabs, starfish, oysters, etc. Wear gloves and you can fill a bucket to take back to the homestay for processing. Moreover, the road to the East Bell Tower is also a great photo spot—a long, winding road leading to a small island in the sea, reminiscent of Spirited Away.

The magic of the East Bell Tower only appears during low tide. When the tide recedes, a winding sea road appears, connecting this small islet to Haxian Island, like a golden rein tying a green boat, floating on the vast blue sea—a magnificent sight.

At sunrise during high tide, the East Bell Tower becomes like this—a solitary island in the vast sea.

During low tide, fishing boats are stranded on the mudflat, making great props for photos, giving off a fisherman girl vibe.

The heavenly road to the East Bell Tower at low tide is also a destination for locals to beachcomb. So, on the owner's suggestion, we also harvested there for an hour. But remember to wear gloves to avoid cuts from rocks.

All kinds of shellfish and a beautiful starfish. Take them back to the homestay, pay the chef 15 yuan for processing, and you have an extra dish at dinner.

Highlight 3: Beautiful Sunset and Sunrise

Around 5 p.m., the owner took us to a beach called Xilaohanjiang. The rocky beach here faces the sunset directly, making it a great place for portrait photos. Wearing a nice dress, sitting on a rock—you become part of the scenery, and every shot looks good. From Xilaohanjiang, looking east, you can see five connected small islands on the sea, like a string of green pearls. This is the famous Five Tiger Stones on Haxian Island. The five islands line up one by one, extending north into the deep sea, like five generals guarding our country's border.

Speaking of the Five Tiger Stones, I must first tell the origin of the name Haxian Island. Long ago, Haxian Island was an uninhabited wild island. In the large bay in front of the island lived a clam fairy who had been cultivating for a thousand years. The clam fairy was originally a palace maid in the Dragon Palace. Because she was beautiful, the fish, turtles, shrimp, and crabs kept pestering her, wanting to marry her. They often quarreled and fought over her. The clam fairy disliked their behavior, so she fled the Dragon Palace and came here to cultivate in peace.

Soon, six brothers surnamed Zhang from Shandong settled on the island. All six were tough men, each named with the word "Tiger": Big Tiger, Second Tiger, up to Sixth Tiger. That night, all six brothers had the same dream. In the dream, a fairy-like girl begged them for help: the octopus demon would force the clam fairy to marry him at noon the next day in Clam Bay, or else kill her as a sacrifice. The clam fairy decided to fight to the death at noon, even if she couldn't win.

When the six brothers woke up, they all told their dreams. They discussed and decided to help the clam fairy fight the octopus demon at noon. In the battle, Fifth Tiger's five older brothers turned to stone. To repay the debt of gratitude, the clam fairy married Sixth Tiger, and they became a loving couple.

From then on, the man farmed and fished, the woman wove and had children, and they became the ancestors of the island. To commemorate them, people named the nameless island Clam Fairy Island, which is today's Haxian Island. To honor the heroic deeds of the five Zhang brothers, people named the five stone figures by the sea the Five Tiger Stones. It is said that since the Five Tiger Stones appeared, the island has been peaceful every year.

The legend may not be true, but the sunset here is truly beautiful. Sitting on the rocks, blowing sea breeze, watching the sun set at the edge of the sky, slowly dyeing the whole world red.

Highlight 4: Shipyard for Stargazing

On the island, far from city light pollution, there's another important thing to do: experience the romance under the starry sky. On Haxian Island, the place with the most romantic atmosphere is the shipyard. The shipyard is open, not big, right by the sea. Many fishing boats await repair here, and walking among them feels like entering a forest of masts—very island-like. Sit by the sea with your loved one, enjoy the starry landscape, and get intoxicated in the night.

A five-minute walk from our homestay brought us to this shipyard. Although there was still some light pollution, the stars were clearly visible. If you have time, bring some beer and seafood, sit on the dock, watch the stars, and chat with a few friends.

Before coming to Dalian Changhai, I didn't know that apart from Sanya, there was such an ocean paradise in China. It captivated me with its magnificent scenery and simple folkways. Everything you can do in Sanya, you can do here, and at a lower price with fewer tourists. If you're worried about crowds and don't know where to go during the holidays, don't hesitate—come to Changhai. This beautiful group of islands will reward you with an unforgettable vacation. Enjoy sea views, eat seafood, experience the joy of sailing between islands—Dalian Changhai is worth it.