2-Day Trip to Huludao: Dream Back to the Ancient Mountain-Sea City and Enjoy Stunning Scenery
Explore Huludao for 1500 RMB! A Complete 2-Day, 1-Night Guide to the Mountain-Sea Ancient City, the Best Value for Money!
Standing on the Longhuitou Cliff Viewing Platform, before me stretches an endless winding coastline. The sea breeze brushes my cheeks, and at that moment, I finally understand why Emperor Qianlong lingered here, turning back again and again.
At 5:30 a.m., wrapped in my coat, I stood on the beach by Xingcheng’s seaside, watching the sun slowly rise from the horizon, golden light spreading across the sea. This is already my third visit to Huludao, and each time brings new discoveries.
This coastal city in Liaoning blends mountain and sea scenery, a Ming Dynasty ancient city, and unique folk customs. The most surprising part is that you can experience it all on a budget of just 1500 RMB.
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01 Core Itinerary: The Fusion of Mountains, Sea, and Ancient City
The essence of Huludao is concentrated in the Xingcheng area, which combines seaside, ancient city, and islands, making it perfect for short trips. The route I designed covers three main elements: coastal scenery, historical culture, and folk experiences.
Day one focuses on natural landscapes, from the seaside boardwalk to cliff viewpoints and the Ming Dynasty ancient city; day two offers options to visit an island or explore a folk town, ending with a leisurely return.
The pace of the trip is moderate—not too rushed, yet allowing full immersion in local features. If you only have a weekend, this route is an excellent choice.
Longhuitou is a signature scenic spot of Huludao, located near Xingcheng 313 Seaside. Legend has it that Emperor Qianlong named it after repeatedly turning back to admire the beautiful view during his visit.
From here, you can overlook the entire winding coastline, stroll along the 1.6-kilometer coastal wooden boardwalk, listen to the waves, watch the sunrise, and enjoy the moonlight. Each viewing pavilion offers a unique perspective.
02 Day One: Seaside Stroll and Ancient City Walkthrough
After arriving in Huludao in the morning, it’s recommended to head straight to the Xingcheng Seaside Scenic Area. This natural beach stretches about 1.5 kilometers, with fine sand and gentle slopes, and clean water. It’s the largest natural bathing beach in northern China.
No entrance fee is required here, so you can fully enjoy the sea breeze, sand, and sunshine. If the season is right, you can even swim in the sea.
For lunch, find a restaurant near the seaside to try fresh local seafood. Huludao’s seafood mainly features shellfish and fish, with affordable prices. Two people ordering three to four dishes can eat well for about 150 RMB.
The afternoon highlight is the Longhuitou Scenic Area, located within the Xingcheng Seaside Scenic Area. Walking slowly along the wooden boardwalk, you’ll pass several viewing spots such as Tingtao Pavilion, Sunrise Pier, and Qingfeng Pavilion.
Standing on the cliffside viewing platform, you face the open sea, with continuous mountain ranges in the distance. This mountain-sea fusion scenery is rare elsewhere.
In the evening, head to Xingcheng Ancient City. It is one of the four best-preserved Ming Dynasty ancient cities in China, on par with Pingyao in Shanxi, Xi’an in Shaanxi, and Jingzhou in Hubei.
The ancient city is free to enter. Strolling on the bluestone roads, surrounded by quaint ancient buildings, feels like traveling back to the Ming Dynasty. Attractions inside, such as the Jiliao Governor’s Mansion and the Confucian Temple, require separate tickets and can be visited based on interest.
Stay overnight in Xingcheng, where accommodation options are plentiful and reasonably priced. Budget hotels or guesthouses cost about 200-300 RMB per night. After checking in, you can take another walk in the ancient city or by the sea to experience a different nighttime atmosphere.
03 Day Two: Island Adventure or Folk Experience
On the second day, you have two options: nature lovers can visit Juehua Island, while those interested in folk culture can explore Guandong Hulu Ancient Town.
If you choose Juehua Island, depart early to take a boat from Xingcheng Pier. Known as the “Fairy Mountain on the Sea,” the island features ancient sites like Tangwang Cave, Jiuding Rock, and Longgong Temple. There are regular and fast boats; the fast boat costs 30 RMB more but offers a completely different experience.
The island is quite large, so renting an electric scooter with a canopy is recommended. Be sure to test the brakes before renting. Ride along the island’s paths, enjoy the sea views, visit ancient sites, and soak in the island’s unique tranquility.
There are two main bathing beaches on the island—the East and South beaches. If you plan to stay overnight, the South Beach is a better choice, with frequent evening activities and hotel shuttle services.
If you choose Guandong Hulu Ancient Town, it is themed around gourd culture and Guandong folk customs. The town houses the China Gourd Culture Museum and the China Guandong Folk Museum, with many exhibits.
You can watch traditional performances like Errenzhuan (a folk duet) and embroidered ball tossing, experiencing Northeast China’s distinctive culture. Tickets range from 128 to 158 RMB, but discounts are common—for example, local residents with ID can buy tickets for only 60 RMB.
04 Budget Breakdown: 1500 RMB for the Whole Trip
Many think travel must be expensive, but in Huludao, 1500 RMB is enough for two people to comfortably enjoy two days and one night. Here’s my detailed budget analysis:
Transportation is the biggest expense. For example, a round-trip high-speed train ticket from Shenyang costs about 160 RMB per person, totaling 320 RMB for two. Local transport mainly involves taxis and buses, costing about 100 RMB over two days.
Accommodation in Xingcheng’s budget hotels or guesthouses costs about 200-300 RMB per night for a clean, comfortable room.
Food budget is flexible. Four meals over two days for two people at about 100 RMB per meal totals 400 RMB. Huludao’s seafood and Northeast cuisine are distinctive, and this budget is enough to enjoy local delicacies.
Entrance fees vary. Xingcheng Seaside and Longhuitou are free; Xingcheng Ancient City is free to enter, with some internal attractions charging separately; Juehua Island boat tickets plus scooter rental cost about 150 RMB per person; Hulu Ancient Town tickets range from 128 to 158 RMB.
Adding it all up: transportation 420 RMB + accommodation 250 RMB + food 400 RMB + entrance fees 300 RMB = 1370 RMB, well within the 1500 RMB budget, leaving about 130 RMB for emergencies or shopping.
05 Local Highlights: Food and Experiences
When in Huludao, a few experiences are a must. Seafood is naturally the top choice—fresh and affordable. Besides common shellfish and fish, try specialty snacks like chrysanthemum-flower-shaped mackerel dumplings and mantis shrimp dumplings.
Xingcheng Ancient City’s night market is also flavorful, with a dazzling array of snacks and handicrafts. The city lights at night contrast sharply with the ancient charm of the daytime.
If time allows, taking a boat trip out to sea is a great experience. At Longhuitou Scenic Area, you can pay to take a sailboat tour to enjoy the Bohai Bay scenery, costing about 60 RMB per person.
For culture lovers, the folk performances in Hulu Ancient Town are worth seeing. Especially at night, there are square barbecues, exciting shows, bonfires, and water curtain events, making the town livelier as the night deepens.
06 Travel Tips: Make Your Trip Perfect
When heading to Juehua Island, pay attention to boat schedules and try to depart early to allow enough time for exploration. Dining options on the island are limited and may not match city flavors, so adjust expectations accordingly.
Be sure to use sun protection when enjoying the seaside, as UV rays are strong even on cloudy days. Also, watch the tide times for safety.
Huludao’s peak tourist season is summer. To avoid crowds, spring and autumn are also good choices, with pleasant weather and equally beautiful scenery.
If driving yourself, road conditions in Huludao are good, distances between attractions are short, and parking is relatively convenient. However, for environmental and economic reasons, public transport combined with local taxis is a better option.
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As the sun sets, I sit on the return bus, scrolling through photos from the past two days: the magnificent sea view at Longhuitou, the bluestone streets of Xingcheng Ancient City, the tranquil beaches of Juehua Island, and the folk performances in Hulu Ancient Town.
Each image captures a beautiful moment of this trip. Huludao’s beauty needs no lavish packaging; it lies between the mountains and sea, inside and outside the ancient city, waiting for every traveler who knows how to appreciate it.