Dachangshan Island · Guanglu Island (Changhai County)

The Changshan Islands, "China's island county" (origin of Zhangzidao sea cucumbers); fishing-family homestays + beachcombing + sea angling; also Dachangshan Island's Sanyuan Palace and Qixiang Garden. Changhai County is China's only island border county; the Changshan Islands, formed of 195 islets, are scattered across the northern Yellow Sea, with Dachangshan Island as the county seat: Sanyuan Palace on the island is a famous sea-god temple of southern Liaoning, the sea-viewing platform of Qixiang Garden faces the boundless Yellow Sea, and fishing-family homestays sell the experience on "open the window to the sea, get up and beachcomb"; sea-angling enthusiasts regard it as a sacred northern fishing ground, with distinct runs of blackfish, yellow croaker and sea bass. Guanglu Island is more unspoiled, and beachcombing on its sandy and rocky shores is richly rewarding; the Changshan Islands are the original home of Zhangzidao sea cucumbers, and abalone, sea cucumber and scallops at the open-air seafood stalls are delicious and inexpensive. Take a ferry from Pikou Port or Jinshitan Port; round-trip tickets approx. CNY 100-200. June to September is the best season; watch for suspension notices during typhoon season.

Getting there: Ferry from Pikou Port / Jinshitan Port