Changhai Islands – The Most Beautiful Northeast Island with a High-Happiness Resort

📍 Dalian · 👁 2 reads · ❤️ 146 likes

Hard to imagine, isn't it? Tucked away in the vast northeast of our country lies a small maritime archipelago. This is the only island county in Northeast China and the only island border county in the entire country. It is the closest point in the northeast to Japan and South Korea, and also the only base in China that integrates border defense, aviation, and naval defense. At the same time, it boasts stunning coastline scenery and a magical power that makes you want to slow down – quietly experiencing the charm of northern islands and leisurely enjoying an island vacation.

This place is the Changhai Islands, located in Changhai, Dalian! As soon as I learned of its existence, I immediately booked a flight. In the early autumn of the north, with the refreshing sea breeze, I spent a leisurely vacation on the Changhai Islands!

Getting to Changhai is not easy. You first need to arrive in Dalian, then take a high-speed train to Pikou Station, followed by a taxi to Pikou Port, and finally a ferry to Changhai County. Alternatively, you can fly from Dalian Zhoushuizi Airport on a small plane directly to Changhai Airport. There is no road connection – only by boat or plane. There are only two flights per day, and they operate depending on the weather, so sea travel is the most common way to arrive.

Although it's a bit of a hassle, that makes it all the more precious. Perhaps that's why we get a pristine, undeveloped natural beauty of an island.

Pikou Port is the gateway by sea to Changhai, serving as the transport hub for the various islands. Geographically, Pikou Port is closer to Pulandian. The cheapest way from Dalian is by high-speed rail: from Dalian North Station to Pikou Station takes about an hour, then a taxi to Pikou Port.

Since it was a spontaneous vacation without a detailed itinerary, I simply took a taxi from the airport directly to Pikou Port after landing. The drive took 1.5 hours and cost less than 300 yuan.

The sight of Pikou Port – open and magnificent – was our first impression upon getting out of the car. It is actually a comprehensive port integrating passenger, cargo, and fishing functions, serving as the central gateway from the mainland into the central part of the Changshan Islands.

On a weekday in early autumn, well past the summer tourist peak, and with the Changhai Islands being a lesser-known destination, the ticket hall was surprisingly empty. This allowed us to capture rare, crowd-free photos of the port.

There are many ferries from Pikou Port to the various islands of Changhai. For example, there are over 10 daily trips to Yuanyang Port on Dachangshan Island, 2 daily trips to Guanglu Island, and 1 daily trip to Haxian Island. You can follow the WeChat public account 'Changhai Diaoyu Dao Gang' to check daily schedules, as they may adjust in real time according to weather. No need to buy tickets in advance – you can purchase them at the ticket counter upon arrival.

We went to Yuanyang Port on Dachangshan Island, which is where the Changhai County government is located, so there are the most ferry trips. We bought tickets for the next available departure and boarded the ship!

The ferry ticket costs 45 yuan per person, and the journey takes 50 minutes. In addition to passengers, the ferry can also carry cars – just buy a ticket for the vehicle at 350 yuan per car, and you can drive your own car onto the island. Isn't that cool? When we went, many locals were driving onto the island with their own cars. The Changhai Islands can be considered a hidden gem vacation destination for locals!

The ferry is large, with two decks. The lower deck is for vehicles, while the interior cabins have seats. During the off-season, the cabin was comfortable enough for me to sit wherever I wanted.

As we set sail, looking out the window at Pikou Port under a slightly overcast sky gave an oddly cinematic feel – very beautiful.

The 50-minute journey wasn't long. Enjoying the views and feeling the sea breeze, we arrived in the blink of an eye. As the sky gradually turned a clear blue, the sea water also appeared emerald green. Yuanyang Port on Dachangshan Island was right before us.

As the ferry slowly docked, our spontaneous vacation on the Changhai Islands was about to begin joyfully against the backdrop of blue sea and clear skies!

Since it was meant to be a relaxing vacation, we weren't in a hurry to rush through an itinerary. We let the big crowds leave first and stayed behind to have the entire Yuanyang Port to ourselves. The pebbles on the shore, combined with a happy mood at that moment, could even become a beautiful scene.

The most convenient交通工具 on the island – during our stay, we relied on it for getting around. After two days of actual experience, I can responsibly tell you: feel free to take taxis. Although they don't use meters and the drivers quote the price, there was no overcharging. Perhaps it's because the locals are honest; the drivers' quotes were quite reasonable. You can negotiate a discount of 5-10 yuan off their price, and then you're ready to start your happy island trip!

The first stop of the vacation was naturally to choose a comfortable place to stay – a home for both body and soul. Just before departure, I quickly searched for accommodations on the island. Most were farmhouse stays, so this pure white, fresh hotel on Haishan Island caught my eye the moment I saw it – that's the one!

Haishan Island Hotel is one of the rare hotels on the island with a modern and trendy design and concept, sure to hit the sweet spot for girls seeking a fresh and pure destination.

The hotel is located on Haishan Island, part of Xiaochangshan Island. It's a bit remote, up on a hill, but that's exactly why it offers such excellent surroundings and views.

The entire hotel occupies a small hill, facing the sea from a vantage point with great views. From an aerial perspective, the starry sea and pure white buildings peeking through the green forest are unmistakably the hotel. Against the blue sea and sky, the pure white hotel even has a touch of Mediterranean flavor.

Note: The hotel's location is within a base that integrates border defense, aviation, and naval defense, so personal aerial photography is not allowed. The two photos we have were kindly provided by the hotel manager, who is a photography enthusiast – we met him while editing photos in the hotel café and had a great conversation.

The hotel offers several room types. We chose the forest cabin. Although it wasn't the most comfortable and had issues with humidity and mosquitoes, I loved the fairy-tale feeling of living in the woods. That afternoon, amidst the forest, I romantically embraced my dream of being a forest sprite.

However, the cabin inevitably had drawbacks like dampness and many insects, and the bathroom was really small. But it was also the cheapest room type in the hotel. If you can't tolerate these conditions, you can choose to stay in the main building, which offers much better amenities.

At the highest point on the hill, you can overlook the sea. Through the jungle, you realize that the northern sea is not only majestic but can also be refreshingly pure.

The flowers and grass on the hill – that afternoon, I simply wandered aimlessly through the forest, watching the sea and admiring the wildflowers. It was a super healing afternoon.

The hotel actually offers many recreational activities, such as sailing, kayaking, etc., but I preferred such aimless wandering, enjoying leisurely time by the sea.

Amidst all the farmhouse stays, a café like this was a pleasant surprise. With a sea-view seating area, it was perfect for ordering a coffee and spending the whole afternoon daydreaming.

In this remote area between mountains and sea, being able to enjoy such a delicate hand-pulled latte was truly wonderful.

A rain shower came and went quickly. After the rain cleared, from the outdoor observation deck, I looked out at the rippling blue waves. The good mood of the vacation spread all around, incredibly beautiful.

Name: Haishan Island Hotel

Transportation: Taxi from Yuanyang Port to the hotel takes about 30 minutes and costs 60 yuan.

Price: Our forest cabin cost 330 yuan per night, a bit basic. You can choose to stay in the main building, with prices ranging from 400 to 700 yuan.

Lituo Bay is actually still within the hinterland of Haishan Island. From the hotel, we just climbed over a small hill to reach it. There's a small village with a few villagers who make a living by fishing and have also demarcated a mariculture area across the sea. It's a simple life, unhurried and peaceful, but at that moment, it filled my heart with emotion.

This sea area has its own calm, infinite beauty.

On the sea, a few boats – villagers going out to fish. Relying on nature for their livelihood is their daily life. They rise with the sun and rest with its set, far from the hustle and bustle of the city. Yet at this moment, the soul can find peace, detached from worldly struggles, just watching the tides ebb and flow – one could live a whole life like that.

The mariculture area enclosed by the sea is the villagers' lifeline, but for a transient visitor like me, it became a perfect backdrop for a stunning photo blending humanity and nature.

The mariculture area was quite impressive, I must say!

Occasional fishing boats drifting on the sea also made for a beautiful scene.

At the entrance of the village, there is a sculpture, probably symbolizing the life of the villagers for generations. An old man in a conical hat looks out at the fishing boats heading to sea, perhaps waiting for his children or hoping for their safe return.

Wandering aimlessly along the bay, we were delighted to discover a large stranded fishing boat. It felt like finding treasure. We took all kinds of wide-angle photos – it looked really great.

The quiet village had few tourists; the villagers were out fishing for a living. This place felt like a no-man's land we had stumbled upon. It reminded me of 'The Sunken Ship Bay' from 'Descendants of the Sun'. Since we can't go to Greece for now, we enjoyed the joy of a deserted sunken ship bay right here.

An old broken boat could keep us happily entertained for an hour, striking various poses with forced perspective.

We played until sunset, when fishing boats returned to port, and we reluctantly said goodbye to everything here.

Since it was very close to the hotel, we returned early the next morning, hoping to capture some beautiful sunrise photos. But we encountered an overcast sky. That was fine too – we strolled along the seaside, watching the rising tide slowly engulf the stranded boat that had stood on the beach the day before.

Diligent people had already started their day's work. The routine life, seen through our eyes, was full of novelty.

We took a walk in the village. It already had an autumn feel – golden fields, grazing horses, and even a spiderweb with clearly visible patterns under the sunlight, all filled with touching vitality.

Although this was not a scenic spot, it made a passerby like me slow down and quietly appreciate its beauty.

We actually met other tourists like us. I think only those who understand how to savor life can discover the beauty here.

Lituo Bay is actually a seaside village, not a scenic spot, and no tickets are required. It's located near Haishan Island Hotel. Just climb over a small hill behind the hotel and descend to the seaside. Here you can experience the daily life of fishermen, which is also a unique travel experience.

Every island in the Changhai Islands is a treasure. Originally independent, the Changshan Bridge, opened to traffic in 2014, connected Dachangshan Island and Xiaochangshan Island, making transportation more convenient and bringing vitality to the two islands. The Xiaoshuikou Forest Park on Xiaochangshan Island is a place I absolutely love – a treasure park nestled between mountains and sea in my heart.

We drove smoothly across the Changshan Bridge, and my mood broadened. On that refreshing early autumn morning, we headed to Xiaoshuikou Park with great anticipation!

Xiaoshuikou Forest Park is located on Xiaochangshan Island, built along the coastline. Ticket price: 40 yuan per person. It takes about 1-2 hours to tour the entire park, perfect for walking slowly and appreciating nature's beauty.

The park is a natural landscape zone based on the natural coastline. A wooden boardwalk winds along the shore, up and down, changing views with each step. As you climb the trail to enjoy the scenery, you become part of the landscape yourself.

The clear blue sky, the azure sea, the green hills dotted with forests, and a yellow wooden boardwalk winding through – the colors were perfectly harmonious. That autumn morning, it was the most beautiful scene in my eyes!

Take some beautiful portraits of yourself along the way – they become the most cherished memories of Xiaoshuikou.

The beauty of Xiaoshuikou lies in its high-quality natural landscape, with little artificial decoration. Just looking at the oddly shaped coastal rocks is enough to spark our imagination, turning them into beautiful pictures one after another.

As they say, the scenery itself isn't as important as the person viewing it. As long as you have eyes to discover beauty and see scenery everywhere in your heart, any place can become a picture.

Besides admiring the mountains and rocks, the sea is, of course, the main attraction of a seaside park. On that autumn morning, a gentle breeze blew, sunlight sprinkled on the sea, creating sparkling ripples. At that moment, I was truly captivated by its beauty.

Under the sunlight, the seawater was crystal clear, showing a gradient from green to blue from near to far, somewhat reminiscent of the Maldives.

The entire Xiaoshuikou Park is a natural forest park built along the coastline, with a mountain path revealing the grand and beautiful side of nature. There are many boardwalks and bridges, and the designers put great thought into them, avoiding monotony. The paths and bridges each have their own unique charm.

A cross-sea corridor bridge, a glass walkway, and a swaying suspension bridge all added unique joy to our sightseeing journey, showing the designers' ingenuity.

Xiaoshuikou Forest Park is not large. We walked slowly and reached the end in about one to two hours. At the park's end is the Sea-Viewing Pavilion, a wooden platform extending out from the rocks. From there, you can enjoy an endless blue sea and beautiful scenery.

As everyone knows, Liaoning sea cucumber is precious and famous. Deep within Xiaoshuikou, there is even a Liaoning sea cucumber breeding base. From the viewing platform, it looked grand and also formed a beautiful scene.

If you're brave enough, you can follow the boardwalk down to the seaside, getting up close to the coastal rocks, feeling the calm of a secluded bay, and watching the still emerald green water – so beautiful it melts into my heart.

After reaching the Sea-Viewing Pavilion, you can return. The park layout is very reasonable. On the way there, follow the coastal trail to enjoy the sea views; on the way back, walk through the forest paths, taking deep breaths of fresh air and enjoying the pleasure of vacation.

Back at the entrance, we noticed a landmark stone. Xiaochangshan Island, known as the 'Number One Fishing Island in Changhai', quietly made its way into my heart on that sunny early autumn morning, leaving behind its most beautiful impression.

Address: Located at the easternmost end of Xiaochangshan Island

Transportation: Take Changhai Bus Route 6 to 'Xiaoshuikou' stop and walk there. A more convenient option is to take a taxi from Dachangshan Island, costing about 20-30 yuan.

Ticket: 40 yuan per person

Tour route: It is recommended to follow the park's observation trail. First, walk along the coastal trail to enjoy the beautiful coastline scenery. At the end, you can return via the forest trail, enjoying the jungle scenery, breathing fresh sea air, and fully savoring the vacation bliss.

After all, it's an island trip – you have to visit a beach and the sea, or it feels incomplete. So... what is the most beautiful beach in the Changhai Islands? It has to be Golden Beach on Dachangshan Island!

The magnificent Changshan Bridge is a key transport link connecting Dachangshan and Xiaochangshan Islands. After visiting Xiaoshuikou Park, we crossed the bridge again and headed to Golden Beach for some fun.

Unlike many city 'Golden Beaches' that are developed scenic areas, Golden Beach on Dachangshan Island is truly a pristine natural area. No tickets, no private paid entertainment – only the purest natural beauty: golden sand and emerald sea as far as the eye can see.

In the northern sea, early autumn is no longer suitable for running wild, but that didn't stop me from taking a series of beautiful seaside portraits and indulging in carefree happiness, enjoying nature's gifts.

As the tide went out, it left a stretch of sand and shells. During a leisurely vacation, you can happily collect pretty shells to take home, decorating your house and your mood.

In the distance, the sparkling sea and the majestic Changshan Bridge looming in the mist were the most beautiful impressions Golden Beach left on me.

No artificial carving, only the purest natural beauty – I think only here truly deserves the name 'Golden Beach'!

Golden Beach has few recreational facilities, but the seawater and sand are of excellent quality, suitable for those who love nature. In summer, you can go beachcombing and swim in the sea; in autumn, you can enjoy the purest natural beauty here.

No public transport was found. It is recommended to take a taxi. From Xiaoshuikou Forest Park, it's about 30 yuan; from Dachangshan Island, it should be cheaper.

Just a short two-day leisure vacation, and time slipped away effortlessly. In the blink of an eye, it was time to say goodbye to Changhai.

It was the same port we arrived at, but with a different ferry. The busy ferries shuttled back and forth, carrying batches of passengers to explore the beauty of the various Changhai islands.

Yuanyang Port is also quite grand and imposing. Note: When returning, you need to buy tickets and wait at the ticket hall opposite the port, then take a shuttle bus to the ferry.

On the ferry, looking back at the port, the fresh lighthouse against the blue sky and sea added a splash of color to the scene, and in this pure image, I recalled the wonderful moments of the trip.

Such a beautiful Changhai – it was the most beautiful memory in my heart in this early autumn.

Changhai is very beautiful but not widely known. Because of this, it can be said to be a virgin travel destination. If you want to enjoy the purest and most extreme scenery and the simple local customs, this is the place to go.

There isn't much practical information available online, so here I provide a detailed guide, hoping that you too can find your perfect vacation in Changhai!

Regarding Major Transportation:

Option 1: A cheaper way is to take a high-speed train from Dalian North Station to Pikou Station (about 1 hour), then take a taxi to Pikou Port, and finally take a ferry from Pikou Port to the islands of Changhai. Total time about 4 hours.

Option 2: For convenience and time-saving, you can take a taxi directly from downtown Dalian to Pikou Port. Depending on the starting point, it costs around 200+ yuan, then take a ferry to the islands. Total time about 2.5 hours, but a bit more expensive.

Option 3: Take a small 12-seat plane from Dalian Zhoushuizi Airport directly to Changhai Airport. The flight takes half an hour, the most time-saving. Currently, there are discounts on tickets, 99 yuan per person, very cost-effective. However, there are only two round trips per day, and flights may be cancelled temporarily due to weather. Be sure to call the day before to confirm the flight; there are many uncertain factors.

If you choose the ferry, you can follow the WeChat public account 'Changhai Diaoyu Dao Gang' to check daily schedules, as they may adjust in real time according to weather. No need to buy tickets in advance; you can purchase them at the ticket counter upon arrival.

Regarding Island Transportation:

There are buses on Dachangshan and Xiaochangshan Islands, but they have few runs. It is better to take island taxis. We have personally tested and found that they do not overcharge, so feel free to use them. It is recommended that when you take your first taxi, if you find the driver nice, you can ask for their phone number. Later, wherever you want to go, you can call them to pick you up. Since there are few people on the island, it's not always easy to hail a taxi. Keeping a driver's number ensures timely pickups and avoids delays.

Before arriving on the island, the taxi driver told us that most accommodations on the island are farmhouse stays, which are inexpensive. You can choose one you like, and they usually provide room and board, including fresh seasonal seafood, and can also take you out fishing.

Alternatively, you can stay at a fresh and modern resort hotel like we did. We recommended one above, so no need to repeat. The hotel also has a restaurant offering various seafood and stir-fried dishes, definitely meeting your daily meal needs.

Each island in Changhai has its own unique appeal. This time we mainly visited Dachangshan and Xiaochangshan Islands. You can go to Golden Beach for beachcombing and sand play, or visit Xiaoshuikou Park to enjoy mountain and sea views. Of course, you can also go to smaller islands like Haxian Island or Guanglu Island for a secluded pure island vacation – also a great choice.

Travelogue Contents:

1. First Encounter

2. Haishan Island – Leisurely Time at the Hotel

3. Lituo Bay – Accidentally Stumbled upon the Sunken Ship Bay

4. Xiaoshuikou Forest Park – A Fairy Park Nestled by Mountains and Sea

5. Golden Beach – The Correct Way to Enjoy an Island Vacation

6. Return Journey

7. Travel Guide Information

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