Changdao Islands
长岛
An archipelago in the Bohai Strait, with Jiuzhangya Cliff, the Moon Bay pebble beach and Seal Reef as its highlights. Staying with fishing families and eating seafood is the most authentic island experience on the Shandong Peninsula.
Changdao (formerly Changdao County, now the Changdao Comprehensive Experimental Zone in Penglai District, Yantai) is a group of 32 islands scattered across the Bohai Strait. The islands open to tourism are mainly South Changshan Island and North Changshan Island, which are linked by a cross-sea bridge, plus Miaodao, Tuoji Island and others that require a further boat trip. From Penglai Port, a ferry takes about 40 minutes to reach South Changshan Island. The core sights are as follows. On North Changshan Island, Jiuzhangya is a sea-eroded cliff up to 70 metres high, best at sunset, and Moon Bay is a beach paved entirely with smooth round pebbles, the symbol of Changdao, where taking stones away is forbidden. On South Changshan Island, Linhai Beacon Hill offers views of the boundary between the Yellow Sea and the Bohai Sea and sunrise over the water, and Wangfu Reef is nearby. Sea tours visit Wanniao Island, where gulls gather in summer, and Seal Reef, where wild spotted seals can be seen up close from April to June. On Miaodao, Xianying Temple is the oldest Mazu temple in northern China. Suggested plan: stay on the island for at least one night. Spend the day renting an electric scooter to ride the island loop of about 30 km around South and North Changshan, which has superb coastal views. Watch the sunset at Jiuzhangya in the evening and the sunrise at Linhai Beacon Hill in the morning. Fishing family guesthouses commonly serve seafood family banquets at around 100 yuan per person. Tickets: a combined pass for the main attractions on South and North Changshan costs about 120-180 yuan depending on the season, and sea tours cost an extra 100-200 yuan. The ferry from Penglai to Changdao costs about 45 yuan one way, and private cars can be taken on board with a reservation. Peak-season numbers are capped. Transport: take a boat from Penglai Port next to Penglai Pavilion, with frequent departures. You can also sail from Yantai Port, but the trip takes longer. Note: ferries depend on sea conditions, so check the Changdao Boat Schedule WeChat account before departing. Accommodation on the islands fills up in peak season, so book early. Seafood is mainly fresh-caught that day, and prices vary with the season, so ask the price first.
Opening hours
Open all day (ferries approx. 06:00–18:00; scenic areas approx. 07:30–17:30)
Nearby sights
- Xianjingyuan Scenic Area
- Fengshan Linhai Park
- Wangfu Reef
- Miaodao Xianying Temple
- Yueya Bay (Changdao)
- Jiuzhang Cliff
- Beizhuang Neolithic Site
- Daheishan Island