Changdao Islands
The Miaodao Archipelago in the Bohai Strait, packed with sea-eroded landforms such as Jiuzhang Cliff, the pebble beach of Yueya Bay and Wangfu Rock, and dotted with fishing-family guesthouses—eastern Shandong's most popular island getaway.
Changdao lies in the Bohai Strait between the Shandong and Liaodong peninsulas and consists of the 32 islands of the Miaodao Archipelago. Administratively it belongs to Penglai District of Yantai (as the Changdao Marine Ecological Civilization Comprehensive Pilot Zone), and it is a national marine park and a migratory bird flyway. Visitors mainly stay on South Changshan Island and North Changshan Island, which are linked by a sea bridge: North Changshan has the sea cliffs of Jiuzhang Cliff and the pebble beach of Yueya Bay, while South Changshan has Wangfu Rock, Linhai Fengshan (with distant views of the line where the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea meet off Changshanwei) and Xianjingyuan. From the South Changshan pier, boats continue to the Xianying Palace on Miaodao Island (the earliest Mazu temple in northern China), Longzhua Mountain and the Beizhuang archaeological site on Daheishan Island, and farther out to Tuoji Island and Cheyou Island for birdwatching. Getting there: a ro-ro ferry from Penglai Port takes about 40–60 minutes to South Changshan Island, and vehicles must reserve a place in advance; on the islands there are sightseeing buses, taxis and e-bike rentals. The best seasons are Jun–Sep for escaping the heat, beachcombing and fishing-family feasts, and Sep–Oct for bird migration; in winter, strong winds often suspend ferries. Plan to stay 2 days; book ferry tickets and guesthouses ahead for peak-season weekends. Under environmental protection rules, swimming is restricted at some beaches, and taking the pebbles is prohibited.
Top sights
- Changdao Islands – An archipelago in the Bohai Strait, with Jiuzhangya Cliff, the Moon Bay pebble beach and Seal Reef as its highlights. Staying with fishing…
- Jiuzhang Cliff – A sea-eroded cliff about 70 metres high on the northwest tip of North Changshan Island, with stone-stair walkways descending the cliff. It…
- Yueya Bay (Changdao) – A crescent-shaped bay at the north end of North Changshan Island, its entire beach covered in colourful, smooth pebbles. It is a signature…
- Wangfu Reef – A sea-eroded rock on the northeast coast of South Changshan Island, shaped like a woman cradling a baby and gazing out to sea, with a seasi…
- Fengshan Linhai Park – A forested mountain park in the north of South Changshan Island. The beacon tower on the summit offers sunrise views and a glimpse of the Y…
- Miaodao Xianying Temple – The earliest Mazu temple in northern China, first built in the Northern Song dynasty on Miaodao Island and regarded as the ancestral shrine…
- Xianjingyuan Scenic Area – A seaside scenic area on the east coast of Nan Changshan Island, near Wanggou Village, built around the legend of the Immortal Isles, with…
- Daheishan Island – An outlying island west of Changdao with sea-eroded landforms at Longzhua Mountain, the Juxian Cave and pristine island scenery. Few visit…
- Beizhuang Neolithic Site – A Neolithic settlement site on Daheishan Island dating back about 6,000 years, known as the “Eastern Banpo” and listed as a national key cu…
- Cheyou Island (Bird Island) – An uninhabited island about 15 km northeast of Nan Changshan Island, where tens of thousands of gulls nest. Known as “Bird Island,” it is b…
- Tuoji Island – A large island in the middle of the Miaodao Archipelago, famous for Tuoji inkstones and colorful beach pebbles, with village life that rema…
Where to eat
- Laofan Fisherman's Farmhouse Restaurant – An old fishing-village eatery in Leyuan Village on South Changshan Island, and the most-reviewed seafood spot on Ctrip…
- Xianjuge Fisherman's Farmhouse, Changdao – A courtyard-style fishing farmhouse in the Yuehai Holiday residential compound, with steady praise for its Spanish mack…
- Bohaiwan Seafood Food City (Changdao Branch) – A seafood restaurant at the corner of Leyuan Avenue and Tonghai Road in the county town. Diners can order a la carte wi…
Itineraries
- Jiaodong Peninsula Coastal Self-Drive Tour – Drive from Qingdao along the Yellow Sea, around the eastern tip of the peninsula to Penglai and Changdao, exploring bea…
- Dalian & Yantai Bohai Sea-Crossing Tour – Spend three days in Dalian and Lushun, then take an overnight ferry across the Bohai Sea to Yantai, Penglai, and Changd…