Lianyungang travel guide
Known since antiquity as the "Bright Prefecture of the Eastern Sea", Lianyungang shines like a glistening pearl, embracing mountains and sea. Tranquil coasts invite swimming, boating, strolling and fishing. Lush, picture-perfect forests and abundant cultural relics offer “sea, ancient, mystic, secluded and extraordinary” attractions.
Hua Guo Shan, or “Number One Scenic Area in the Eastern Sea”, and its fabled Water Curtain Cave transport visitors to the fantasy world depicted in Journey to the West. The “Lianyungang Summer” festival epitomizes this city’s tourism image, famed far and wide.
Xinpu District is Lianyungang’s city center, conveniently located despite being distant from attractions, aside from time costs. Xugou, near the coast, serves as a great transit point for trips to Li Island. Between seaside charm, mythical mountains, and modern city conveniences, Lianyungang delights on multiple levels.
Best Travel Time
Lianyungang has a warm and humid climate with distinct four seasons and abundant sunshine. The coldest month is January, the hottest month is July, and April to October (summer and autumn) is the best season to visit Lianyungang. In spring (March), the peach blossom in the Peach Blossom Creek of the Jinping Mountain Scenic Area in Lianyungang is also quite eye-catching. In the scorching summer (June August), there are many islands and bays connecting the east and west of Lianyungang, such as Qinshan Island, where the sea breeze is blowing. It is the best time to appreciate the sea view, bathe in the sea, and play on the beach. The annual summer of Lianyungang is held at this time, and it is very lively. Autumn (September November) in Lianyungang is a great time to taste the delicious seafood; The Huaguo Mountain Scenic Area and Jinping Mountain Scenic Area are even more charming, with mountain climbing and sightseeing full of interest. At the same time, during this season, there are numerous festivals in Lianyungang, with numerous attractions and extraordinary liveliness, as well as excellent water quality Donghai Hot Springs that make you nostalgic. In the deep winter (December February), at the beginning of the year, Haizhou Yuanxiao (Filled round balls made of glutinous rice-flour for Lantern Festival) can enjoy all kinds of folk colored lantern works, folk entertainment performances and flower exhibitions; These will add new charm to the journey of Lianyungang.History
Archaeological evidence confirms human activity in Lianyungang's ancient Mount Qushan and present-day Mount Jinping area as early as 10,000 years ago. In 1959 and 1978, the oldest Paleolithic sites in southeast China were discovered at Erjian and Daxian Village with clear stratigraphic layers. Mount Jinping has 19 Neolithic sites, with Erjian being one of China's earliest farming areas.
The 20-meter long, 10-meter wide "General Cliff Painting" discovered in 1979 was appraised by the State Administration of Cultural Heritage as "an extremely important cultural relic and rare major discovery, the earliest 'book' in China."
The Donghan era art treasure "Kongwang Mountain Grottoes Statues" are the earliest Buddhist grotto statues in China, 100-200 years earlier than the Dunhuang Grottoes, and protected at the national level.
The area is also steeped in history, with attractions related to Confucius' sea gazing, Emperor Qin's inspections, and famous poets and officials like Tao Yuanming, Li Bai, Su Dongpo, Shen Kuo, Li Qingzhao, Wu Cheng'en, Li Ruzhen, Wu Jingzi, Lin Zexu, Zhu Ziqing and more.
Self driving
Driving to Lianyungang from Shanghai:
Take the Beijing-Shanghai Expressway to Huai'an, then switch to the Nanjing-Lianyungang Expressway straight to Lianyungang. Alternatively, take the Sutong Bridge, then the Shenhai Expressway.
Total distance is around 540 km. From Shanghai, take the A12 - Shenhai Expressway - Xichen Expressway (Jiangyin direction) - Jiangyin Bridge - Guangjing Expressway - Ningtong Expressway (Yangzhou direction) - Beijing-Shanghai Expressway (Huai'an direction) - Huai'Lian Expressway (Lianyungang direction) - Ninghai Toll Gate (downtown Lianyungang exit).
From Suzhou:
Take the Suzhou-Jiaxing-Hangzhou Expressway northbound - cross Sutong Bridge - connect to Beijing-Shanghai Expressway - Shanghai-Shaanxi Expressway - back to Beijing-Shanghai Expressway - Changshu-Suzhou Expressway.
From Xuzhou:
Take the Xuzhou-Lianyungang Expressway towards the port, continue to the 0 km point, transfer to Haitang Road, drive straight to the seaside.
With mostly expressway driving, Lianyungang makes for an easy weekend road trip from surrounding cities like Shanghai, Suzhou or Xuzhou. The directions provide a helpful route plan.
