Lianyungang faces the Yellow Sea, and beyond the port and the Yuntai Mountains a few islands offer quite different days out. One has the sand and facilities for a beach trip, another keeps the rhythm of a working fishing harbour, and the third is quiet, with a rocky shore and a stone causeway the tide uncovers.
Lian Island: Beach, Boardwalk and Sunrise
Lian Island sits in Haizhou Bay, facing the Yuntai range. It is the most established of the group and the easiest to treat as a full day out or a night away. Dasha Bay is the main beach: soft sand, clean water, and plenty of company on public holidays. Arrive early if you want room to yourself.
A coastal boardwalk runs from Dasha Bay toward Peacock Garden; the walk is worth taking for the sea views rather than the destination alone. From there, a shuttle or a continued walk brings you to Suoma Bay, which many locals prefer. Pines and cypress cover the hills behind both beaches, and a viewing platform opens up the line where sea meets sky.
Suoma Bay is smaller and calmer than Dasha Bay, sheltered by the hills around it. The two can be combined in one visit, but allow time for the boardwalk and shuttle instead of hurrying between them.
Staying overnight gives you a shot at sunrise: guesthouses and campsites put early risers within reach of light spreading over the water and cloud sitting on the hills. Coastal weather changes quickly, so a clear dawn is luck as much as planning.
Yangshan Island: Harbour Life and Sea-Eroded Rock
Yangshan is smaller and less developed than Lian, and its appeal is the working harbour: boats at the quay, a lighthouse, red-painted houses, a short boardwalk and a small beach. The island is compact, so half a day covers a slow walk, a look at the shore and a meal.
The name has more than one folk explanation. One holds that the island's outline resembles a goat; another tells of a golden goat once seen there.
At the northern end of the coastal boardwalk, waves have worn the rock into pits and cavities, including one hollow wide enough for several people to stand in. Stay on the marked paths and back from wet edges, especially after rain or at high water.
Near the harbour, the seafood market sells the day's catch, and crab is a local specialty. The scene is busiest toward evening as boats come in and light falls across the water. This is a working waterfront, not a staged attraction, so give fishermen and dock workers room.
Access is through the Gaogong Island area, and services on the island are limited, so confirm the current connection and any boat or shuttle arrangement before setting out.
Qinshan Island: Quiet Shore and Tidal Geology
Qinshan lies off Ganyu District and is one of Jiangsu's few near-shore islands. From above, its shape is often compared to a giant salamander. It is the least developed of the three, and suits travellers after a quiet shore, sea fishing and geology rather than beach facilities.
The island's best-known feature is a natural stone causeway, the Qinshan Island "Divine Road", which the tide exposes. The rock around it shows heavy erosion: irregular holes, hollows and polished surfaces shaped by waves over a long period. The crossing is tidal — go with local guidance and never attempt it without checking the day's conditions.
Older buildings, including Nainai Temple, give the island a human layer beyond its geology. Sea anglers come for the rocky shoreline, and a day can pass slowly here.
Boats leave from the Qinshan Island tourist pier. Schedules and landing conditions depend on weather and season, so check with the operator or an official local source before committing to the trip.
Choosing Between Them
Lian is the straightforward choice for families and first-time visitors, with the widest range of facilities and the easiest beach access. Yangshan suits half a day of harbour life and seafood. Qinshan rewards anyone willing to trade facilities for tidal geology and a slower pace.
Fees, opening times, boat schedules and shuttle services change, so confirm current details with an official local source before travelling. Bring sun protection, and shoes with grip if you plan to walk rocky shoreline.
How this guide was made
This guide combines structured research and automation with source and duplication review. Dates change; verify time-sensitive details before travelling.