[Liaoning. Dalian] Letters from the Islands: This Summer, I Kept the Appointment on Time!

Prologue: Letters from the Islands

This summer, called by the islands, I embarked on a journey.

Their color is so azure that no embellishment is needed, overshadowing all splendor.

Their vastness taught me what it means to be as insignificant as a speck of dust.

In this vast world, how many secrets sink into the deep sea like islands, never to be unraveled?

Dalian, a distant northern city, possesses a vast and azure sea. How is it that every summer I fall in love at first sight with the ocean? The dream I had in my youth of going north to see the sea came true this summer.

In the sweltering June heat, I set foot on such an island—somewhat unfamiliar, yet somewhat familiar. The sunlight poured down, kissing every inch of my skin, and my skirt fluttered in the cool sea breeze.

Dalian has many islands, each with its unique charm. Guanglu Island is a large island in Changhai County. Taking a boat from Pikou Port is convenient, and the facilities on the island are also quite complete.

After landing on the island, time seemed to slow down. This touch of green, like a translucent emerald, touched the softest part of my heart, making that distant dream of mine feel within reach.

Spending a few days of slow life on the island, wandering through the streets in the afternoon, and strolling along the beach in the evening, with the cool sea breeze brushing by my ears. This place not only offers captivating scenery that pierces the soul but also the cool summer you long for.

Such a peaceful and secluded offshore island boasts stunning beaches and warm, friendly islanders. It is not overly commercialized, pure and natural, with a unique charm of its own.

On early summer nights, the breeze is just right. Let the sea breeze blow, enjoy the sea view, and watch a dreamy, romantic sunset. Wait until twilight, when everything returns to tranquility, leaving only the sound of waves crashing against the rocks. At this moment, let all trivial matters be stranded on the beach!

Two: Da Changshan Island and Xiao Changshan Island

Da Changshan Island and Xiao Changshan Island are also located in Changhai County, consisting of Da Changshan Island and Xiao Changshan Island. Here, there are rolling hills, dense forests, azure sea water, and clean bathing beaches, known as a natural summer resort at 31 degrees north latitude.

The island is warm in winter and cool in summer, surrounded by sea on all sides, with pleasant scenery. Xiaoshuikou Forest Park is the easternmost attraction of Xiao Changshan Island. It offers charming scenery that rivals islands abroad and is a must-visit place when coming to Xiao Changshan Island.

The plank road built along the eastern cliffs of Xiao Changshan Island winds and sometimes approaches the sea. Below the plank road is the calm or surging sea. Taking photos here is absolutely stunning.

You can see the jelly-colored seawater even without leaving the frame. The rock we stood on required climbing down from the plank road to the seaside, which was quite dangerous and not recommended for easy attempts. However, there are floating bridges here for fishing and speedboats for a joyride, which are worth trying.

Before sunset, we returned to the beach near our hotel. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, the sea breeze brought a smell of fish. The humid, hot wind blew, and our exposed skin felt as if coated with oil. For us, long-time city dwellers, this was definitely a fresh experience.

The driver told us that the abandoned boat on this beach is a网红 (internet-famous) boat on Xiao Changshan Island. But the boat was quite tall and difficult to climb. The men helped lift me up from both sides, and indeed, the photos turned out great.

If you don't want to take a boat, you can reach Bangchui Island by car from the city. This is a scenic area featuring mountains, sea, islands, and beaches as its main landscapes. When we came, there was a thick fog. Although visibility was limited, feeding the seagulls by the sea was also a good choice.

Along the coastline stretching for several kilometers, flocks of seagulls were flying. They were quite adorable. You can bring some bread to feed them, and soon you'll be surrounded by them.

It was my first time feeding seagulls at such close range. You can put the bread in your hand, and they will come and take it away. If you're scared, you can also break the bread into small pieces and throw them into the air; they will catch them quickly and accurately.

Sometimes they frolicked by the sea, sometimes spread their wings and soared, making cheerful calls. This scene was really healing. We stayed by the sea for a long time. If conditions permit, you can also bring camping gear and camp on the sandy beach, sleeping with the sea breeze and listening to the sound of waves.

Four: Sanhuan Pasture

Besides the islands, Dalian's summer also belongs to Sanhuan Pasture. Coming here, you will definitely feel like you're in New Zealand. Vast green grasslands, and white sheep grazing leisurely in the distance, like scattered pearls.

Wearing a rustic dress, I immediately felt like the owner of this pasture. Sitting in front of the house when idle, basking in the sun, or feeding the lambs—this pastoral life is simple and beautiful.

Encounter is a kind of strength. No matter when and what you encounter, life always starts with encountering yourself. Perhaps life's puzzles are nothing but being confined by space. Instead of being confused and wandering, why not embrace this vibrant early summer?

Sanhuan Pasture is like a fairy-tale world. It brought back lost memories and childlike innocence. There is no extreme heat here in summer, making it especially suitable for families with children. The grassland is also available for camping, allowing you to enjoy a happy summer life.

Five: Cherry Picking

Dalian's big cherries are very famous. I knew this before I came. And now it's just the cherry season, so cherry picking must be arranged. We went from the city to Jinpu New District to pick big cherries. There are many picking gardens there, such as Wenlin Cherry Orchard.

Just as we entered the orchard, our eyes were filled with trees full of big cherries. Every cherry here is bigger than a one-yuan coin. I have never seen such big cherries in Jiangnan. Even the larger cherries sold in supermarkets are imported from countries like Chile.

I felt like I had stepped into a dream. The scene before my eyes seemed unreal. Here, you can eat and pick cherries at the same time. They are fresh, sweet, and juicy. Soon everyone was full. The cherries we picked are weighed and priced according to variety, and they can even be shipped home.

I heard that Dalian's big cherries have a cultivation history of over 130 years. Because the winters here are not severely cold and the summers are not extremely hot, with a mild climate and humid air, the cherries have a bright color, sweet and sour taste, and pure flavor. If you come to Dalian, don't miss them.

Six: Ziyun Huaxi Lavender Manor

Little fairies who have watched 'Again, a Curtain of Dreams' must yearn for Provence. Because Provence hides large fields of lavender. With a gust of wind, the air is filled with a faint aroma of wine. Such a place can satisfy our longing for romance.

Do you know? Actually, in Dalian, there is also such a place. Look, the purple sea of blooming flowers in Ziyun Huaxi Lavender Manor forms a picturesque and charming scene.

There are nearly a thousand acres of lavender fields here. Although the lavender wasn't in full bloom when we came, the verbena flower sea was equally intoxicating. They undulated with the wind, like a dream spreading across the earth, everything bathed in rich fragrance.

Under the blue sky and white clouds, strolling in the dreamy purple ocean, everywhere is filled with warmth and romance. Though our stay was brief, everything merged into the colors of love.

Flowers that bloom once a year—catching the best viewing period is important. Besides lavender and verbena, the park also plants other aromatic flowers, such as chamomile, mosquito repellent grass, rosemary, thyme, and hyssop, all very worth visiting.

Seven: Sun Asia Ocean World

Arriving at Sun Asia Ocean World, you can have a real intimate encounter with animals and marine life. Here are four major venues: Sun Asia Ocean World, Sun Asia Polar World, Sun Asia Coral World, and Sun Asia Galaxy Star Sea, as well as the Whale MALL fun commercial street accompanied by marine animals. You can spend a whole day here.

Summer vacation has arrived, and the ocean world is full of children. This place is really suitable for parents to bring their kids. Not only can you see various marine creatures, but you can also watch performances. Children will definitely love it.

We first came to Coral World. This is a living coral life support technology exhibition hall, gathering hundreds of species and over a thousand coral reef biological groups from around the world. It uses living coral life support technology and modern technical methods to vividly recreate the coral reef ecosystem in the ocean.

From ancient wooden sailing ships to modern maritime hegemon aircraft carrier models, from the world-famous USS Constitution to the awe-inspiring USS Roosevelt carrier strike group, ship models record history, taking you through the progress of human civilization.

This is also the mysterious back garden of the ocean. You can see jellyfish, seahorses, and more. There is also a sea turtle interactive pool where you can buy food and feed sea turtles up close!

There are dolphin, beluga, and shark performances year-round. When you enter the park, remember to check the show times and arrange your itinerary reasonably. The 'Beluga Legend' performance is one of Sun Asia's 'Three Major Shows' and should not be missed.

Beluga Xiaojiu is the star here. You can enjoy the human-whale big loop, synchronized 1080-degree rotation, and the graceful human-whale dance. Remember to arrive early to get a good spot, because there are tons of people, and if you go late, you won't be able to squeeze in.

In addition, the 'Dolphin Bay Love' performance is also a must-see. This show is in a theater format with corresponding seats. You can watch dolphins, belugas, mermaids, princes, pirates, and moon angels perform together. The plot is full of twists and turns, with a romantic and beautiful style.

In the fantastic 360-degree multi-dimensional water show arena, a touching performance by belugas and dolphins, a romantic love story of a prince and princess, together with the moon angel and pirates, performing a live version of 'The Mermaid's Tale'.

Both belugas and dolphins are full of spirituality and can perform many super difficult moves. It was also my first time hearing a beluga sing, and I felt the infinite trust and friendship between humans and animals.

Eight: Noline Offline Camp

No camping, no summer. Noline Offline Camp is Northeast China's first independent outdoor lifestyle brand, located within Dalian Western Suburb National Forest Park. Here, you can get close to nature and enjoy the fun of luxury camping.

Work is tiring on weekdays, so why not come here on the weekend to experience a different life? The camping market gathers many interesting things and interesting souls. It's also a great spot for photo ops.

Before coming, I saw a few fruit trees on the road with particularly good plums, so we picked some as camping fruit. Although a bit sour, it was sweet with the sour, and the taste was not bad.

The campsite is equipped with various tents to choose from and also provides food packages. You can barbecue yourself. You almost don't need to bring anything yourself to experience the joy of camping. Of course, you can also bring pets; dogs love camping too.

Soon, our canopy was set up. We spread out the blanket, laid out our grilled food, fruit, and drinks. The camping vibe was completely nailed.

In the market, strangers can quickly become familiar. There are music performances, niche parties—everyone can play together and make friends. If you don't like the lively atmosphere, you can sit under the canopy, drink coffee, look at the sky, and relax—also a good choice.

Noline is actually an attitude, a way to distance yourself from the hustle and bustle and worries of modern urban life, live relaxed and freely, return to nature, and enjoy the true joy of camping.

Nine: Compass Spa

At the end of my Dalian trip, I arranged a spa for myself to relax both body and mind. After traveling for a long time, one can get tired. I specifically checked online reviews and finally chose Compass Spa inside Yifang Castle Hotel.

Walking into Yifang Castle Hotel felt like entering a grand palace—quite luxurious. I was so impressed that I thought about staying here next time, making it easier to go for a spa.

Compass Spa is located on the third floor of the hotel, and the environment goes without saying. Recently, their specialty is the Rose series. Entering the spa center, there was a brief welcome ceremony. The drink was rose fruit tea, which tasted very good.

The interior area of the spa center is also quite large, with different private rooms to choose from. The largest private room had a bathtub covered with rose petals, with tea and candles lit. The scene was really romantic.

The privacy here is excellent. Whether it's a gathering of girlfriends or a date, you can harvest unique romance and sweetness. After bathing, I went for a spa. The technician's technique was very professional, and I felt completely refreshed.

Ten: Practical Tips

About Transportation

To reach Dalian from domestic cities, the most convenient way is by plane, directly arriving at Zhoushuizi Airport. It takes about 20 minutes by taxi from the airport to the city center—not too far. Additionally, you can take a ferry from Yantai, but it will take longer, about 5-6 hours. To go from Dalian to the islands of Changhai County, you first need to take a bus to Pikou Port, which takes about 2 hours. From Pikou Port, the boat to Guanglu Island takes approximately 1.5 hours. You can feed seagulls on the deck; bring your own bread in advance. Also, during the pandemic, travelers from outside need to register before entering the islands, as follows: 1. Visitors who have been within Dalian city for 14 days before entering the island do not need to report and can directly go to the port to buy tickets and enter; 2. Visitors who have traveled outside Dalian city within 14 days before entering or those entering from outside Dalian city (except epidemic risk areas) need to report twice before 16:00 one day in advance. First report via 'Laigan Personnel Self-Report', then report once on the 'Changhai Rongmei' WeChat public account (note: a negative nucleic acid test within 48 hours, Liaoshi Tong health code, and State Council itinerary card screenshot are required); 3. Visitors with a history of travel outside Dalian or those entering without reporting from outside Dalian need to undergo a self-paid nucleic acid test at the dock upon entry and supplement the report on-site. After the report is reviewed and approved, they will be transferred point-to-point to the destination township. Before the nucleic acid test result comes out, they must not visit public places or crowded areas.

About Food

1. Lvda Impression

Lvda Impression—just hearing the name feels classic. Lvda is the former name of Dalian. This restaurant was recommended by a local friend, saying it has a good reputation locally. The decoration style of the whole restaurant is elegant, with a pleasant dining environment. Seafood is freshly selected and cooked.

We ordered a full table of dishes, all signature dishes: Gold Medal Fragrant Meat, Squirrel-Style Sea Bass, Blueberry Mashed Potatoes, etc., all with good taste. In Dalian, the dishes come in large portions, always filling. My small Jiangnan stomach was stuffed every day, quite satisfying.

2. Enni Little Cabin Rice Wine House

Enni Little Cabin Rice Wine House mainly serves Korean cuisine. When you come to Dalian, you'll find that street shops are either seafood BBQ or Japanese/Korean cuisine. I usually love Korean food. This restaurant is a must-eat locally, with great environment and taste.

Korean food is a bit spicy, and the sweet-spicy flavor is my absolute favorite. Their rice wine tastes like a beverage, super delicious—must try. Also, tuna kimchi rice balls, little cabin BBQ, spicy chicken wings, and stone plate tofu are all super tasty. If you like Korean food, you must come.

About Accommodation

1. Dalian Railway 1896 Garden Hotel

Dalian Railway 1896 Garden Hotel is a boutique garden-style hotel with a deep historical and cultural background. The hotel not only has a long history but also has a hidden world inside, like stepping into a back garden. Look, how exquisite the little villas are. We stayed in a duplex villa, and the experience was excellent. The hotel is located in the city center with convenient transportation. A supermarket is just a few steps away. Good value for money, worth experiencing.

2. Changhai Haishan Island Resort

Changhai Haishan Island Resort is located on Xiao Changshan Island, with beautiful surroundings. You can see the sea from the room's balcony. The resort offers many entertainment and vacation projects, including a swimming pool, bar, café. You can also barbecue while quietly waiting for the sunset—a very leisurely island life.