Second Visit to Lianyungang｜Four Days and Three Nights Sea and Water Fun Guide

Hello, moms～ This summer vacation, I took my 4-year-old for a second visit to Lianyungang! As someone who’s been through it, I know how “tiring” traveling with kids can be, so this time the focus was on relaxing and taking it easy. The four-day, three-night itinerary included playing by the sea and creek trekking without over-exhausting the child. I’m sharing this tried-and-true guide for those planning to visit Lianyungang—just follow it and you won’t go wrong～
🚌 Transportation
High-speed train: Direct from Shanghai to Lianyungang Station. After getting off the train, taking a taxi to the hotel is super convenient, no need to worry about parking spots, perfect for families who don’t want to drive.
Self-driving: About 5 hours from Shanghai with good highway conditions. The advantage of driving is the flexibility to adjust the itinerary anytime and easily carry bulky items like strollers and sand toys.
🗺️ Itinerary
Day 1: Check into hotel → Rest → Go to Zaihaiyifang to catch sea creatures and enjoy local food
Day 2: Morning at Petrochemical Science and Technology Museum → Afternoon creek trekking at Yuwan → Evening show (child was too tired and slept, so didn’t watch)
Day 3: Yuntai Mountain → Afternoon at Liandao to see the sea
Day 4: Return to Shanghai
🏠 Accommodation Recommendations
Highly recommend staying in the Xugou area! It’s a treasure trove for family trips, with all attractions within about 30 minutes by car. Plenty of chain hotels like Hilton and Ji Hotel with complete facilities and thoughtful service, so you can feel at ease staying with kids. The best part is that right next door is Zaihaiyifang Park, so you can drop off your luggage and immediately take the kids to dig sand, and evening strolls are super pleasant～
📸 Must-visit spots and family activities
Liandao・Suma Bay🌊
Tickets: Starting at 45 RMB
Family highlight: Take the kids there after 3 PM! The sun is too strong during the day, but after 3 PM the sunlight is softer and less glaring, perfect for capturing sparkling sea photos. The sand here is as fine as flour, and kids get “hooked” on digging with their tools, playing for hours building sandcastles. Parents can relax under umbrellas watching the kids, easy and worry-free. The boardwalk by the sea is great for walks, feeling the sea breeze and watching waves crash, with kids occasionally running over to share little shells they found—pure happiness～
Yuwan
Tickets: Starting at 40 RMB, combo tickets available, night sessions recommended
Family highlight: Perfect for creek trekking and cooling off in summer! The creek water is icy cold and clear, instantly refreshing💦 Be sure to walk upstream—the water gets cleaner and you can see little fish swimming by your feet. Key tip: the day after rain is best! The waterfall is huge and spectacular with rushing water. We forgot to bring water guns this time, otherwise the kids would have had even more fun playing by the creek～ Summer evenings feature iron flower and heart-shaped fireworks shows, visually stunning, but our kid was too tired and slept early, a bit of a pity. Energetic kids can stay up for the show.
Haishang Yuntai Mountain⛰️
Tickets: 120 RMB (includes shuttle bus to the summit), 20 RMB discount if purchased a day in advance
Family highlight: Perfect mountain hike with kids! The shuttle bus takes you straight to the summit, no tiring stair climbing. The summit viewing platform overlooks the entire port and Yellow Sea; on clear days, the blue sea meets the sky, and on foggy days it feels like entering a fairyland. Kids get excited pointing at distant ships. Don’t miss the monkey park in the mountain! It’s full of lively monkeys; bring your own bread to feed them (keep a safe distance). Watching monkeys fight for food and climb trees can keep kids entertained for half an hour without moving.
Petrochemical Science and Technology Museum
Tickets: Free
Family highlight: Too hot outside? Bring the kids here for some “indoor energy release”! The museum is open Thursdays, Fridays, and weekends, so be sure to book in advance. It has various fun interactive science exhibits that help kids understand how petroleum forms and how petrochemical products are used, plus simulation games to learn while playing. You can easily spend half a day here, and parents can rest in the air-conditioned rooms.
Yangshan Island
Tickets: Free
Family highlight: A local secret spot for catching sea creatures! Although the seawater isn’t the cleanest, it’s uncrowded and free. Kids can dig clams and catch little crabs happily. The island has a large mural wall and a white lighthouse, great for photos. Taking a few family pictures here is very memorable. Evening sea breezes are more comfortable, cool and pleasant. Kids run chasing the wind on the beach while adults chat on the rocks—life couldn’t be more peaceful.
Zaihaiyifang Park
Tickets: Free
Family highlight: Although online reviews are mixed, it’s free and convenient! Right next to the Xugou accommodation area, you can head straight to the beach after dropping off your luggage. The sand isn’t as fine as Suma Bay, but it’s enough for digging and catching sea creatures. Bring a set of sand tools and kids can play from afternoon until sunset. In the evening, many local kids come to play, so your child can quickly find playmates, and parents can chat and share parenting tips with other moms.
🥯 Food Recommendations
Seafood is super abundant in the Xugou area! There are many seafood stalls along the road where you can pick fresh seafood and have it cooked on-site. Steamed or spicy stir-fried dishes are delicious. Highly recommend trying local swimming crabs and clams—fresh and plump. For kids, ask for less salt and less spice.
Don’t miss Zuoxin Fang Café! Their drinks look great and taste even better. Mango pomelo sago and strawberry milkshakes are never cloying, kids love them. After a tiring day, this café is the perfect “recharging station” for moms to rest and have afternoon tea.
💡 Practical Tips for Traveling with Kids
Sunscreen! Sunscreen! Sunscreen! The UV rays by the sea are super strong. Be sure to apply high-SPF sunscreen on your kids, have them wear sun hats and sun-protective clothing, or they’ll definitely get sunburned and tanned after a day.
Bring all the gear: swimsuits, change of clothes, sand digging tools, creek trekking shoes (essential for Yuwan, the rocks are slippery and bare feet can easily slip), and a small bucket (to collect “treasures” from the sea).
When creek trekking at Yuwan, the water gets cleaner upstream but the path is more slippery. Always hold your child’s hand and avoid running in mossy areas.
Food at attractions is inconvenient and expensive, so bring some favorite snacks, fruits, and water for your child to keep energy up anytime.
Huaguo Mountain is not recommended for a special visit; it’s not very interesting for young kids. Better to spend time at Yuwan and Liandao, where kids have more fun playing by the water.
For beautiful sea photos, be sure to pick a sunny day! The sea looks bluer and photos come out with a natural filter～
Visiting Lianyungang with kids doesn’t mean rushing or fighting crowds. Follow this laid-back guide to dig sand by the sea, play in the creek, and enjoy mountain views—easy and joyful. After four days and three nights, the kids had a blast and parents weren’t too tired. This is the right way to do a family trip～ Hope this guide helps you, and may everyone make wonderful memories in Lianyungang!