Liugong Island
刘公岛
A Beiyang Fleet base and memorial to the First Sino-Japanese War at the mouth of Weihai Bay. China’s Sino-Japanese War Museum, the Beiyang Fleet Admiral’s Headquarters and British colonial-era buildings are all concentrated on one island.
Liugong Island lies at the mouth of Weihai Bay. It covers 3.15 square kilometres and is about 2.1 nautical miles from the city’s pier, a 20-minute ferry ride. The Beiyang Fleet was established here in 1888, and the Battle of Weihaiwei, which ended the First Sino-Japanese War in 1895, took place here. Britain then leased the island for 32 years, so Liugong bears three layers of history: the Beiyang Fleet, the First Sino-Japanese War and the British leasehold period. It is a national 5A scenic area and a national key cultural relic protection unit. Highlights include China’s Sino-Japanese War Museum, whose exhibitions use many artefacts and scenes to tell the story of the naval battles and are the most worthwhile part of the island. Others are the Beiyang Fleet Admiral’s Headquarters (the former command post of Admiral Ding Ruchang), Ding Ruchang’s residence, the Naval Academy, the Iron Pier, Qidingshan Battery (the island’s highest point, with views over Weihai Bay), and British-era buildings including the Royal Navy headquarters, churches and villa groups. The island also has Liugong Island National Forest Park, home to wild sika deer. The Naval Office and the Diaoyu Islands Sovereignty Exhibition Hall on the east side are also open to visitors. Tickets cost about 120–130 yuan, including the return ferry and main attractions, and the island sightseeing bus costs about 30 yuan. Buy tickets through the official “Liugong Island” WeChat account or at the pier. A suggested route is to visit the Sino-Japanese War Museum and the Admiral’s Headquarters first (about 1.5 hours), take the sightseeing bus to Qidingshan Battery, then see the British-era buildings, for about 4 hours in total. There are restaurants on the island, but prices are high. Getting there: take a ferry from the Weihai Tourist Pier on Haibin North Road. Several bus routes serve the pier, and it is about 15 minutes by taxi from Weihai Station. Note: the last return ferry leaves around 17:00, so keep an eye on the time. The museum’s content is sombre, so a guided tour is recommended. Sea winds are strong, so bring warm clothing.
Opening hours
Approx. 07:30–17:30 (ferries 07:30–16:30 to the island; last return approx. 17:30)
Nearby sights
- Banyue Bay
- Dingyuan Battleship Replica
- Weihai Park & Happiness Gate
- Yuehai Park
- Weihai Haishang Park
- Huancuilou Park
- Putaotan Beach
- Hanlefang Korean Street