Liandao, the Island in Lianyungang's Name
Liandao, also called East-West Lian Island or Yingyou Mountain, lies off the north coast of Lianyungang in Haizhou Bay. The island runs about 9 kilometres east to west, covers roughly 7.6 square kilometres and keeps forest cover near 80 percent. Its west end joins Lianyun District by a sea dyke about 6.7 kilometres long, often described as the longest in China. Drive or ride the wall for open sea views. The island's bays form the beach half of a Lianyungang trip after a day on Huaguoshan.
Dashawan and Sumawan
Dashawan is the large beach with denser facilities and heavier summer crowds. Sumawan is greener and quieter, the better choice when Dashawan fills. Boardwalks and headland paths link segments of shore. Other named spots in island materials include an amusement area at Dashawan, an ecology garden at Sumawan, the sea wall itself and coastal rock inscriptions. Fisheries still matter to the local economy beside tourism.
Swimming is realistic mainly in the warmest months. Local summaries speak of on the order of 100 comfortable water days a year, concentrated from July to September. Bring sun protection. Check tide and swimming safety notices. Confirm the last bus or shuttle if you lack a car.
The sea wall approach
The dyke is part of the experience. Morning or late light softens industrial port contrasts on the mainland side. The Port of Lianyungang is large and commercial. A distant viewpoint satisfies curiosity. You do not need a terminal tour. The city's name joins Lian Island with Yuntai Mountain and the port character, literally a harbour connecting to the clouds.
When to come and where to stay
July and August are beach season, hot and busy, with much of the year's rain. May to June and September to October suit coastal walking with fewer swimmers. Winters run cold for beach days even when snow is rare. For beach mornings, lodge in Lianyun District near the sea wall. For an early Huaguoshan start, lodge in Haizhou instead and move coastward later.
Tickets, hours and getting there
Beach access rules, parking and any scenic tickets follow posted notice. This page quotes no yuan amounts. Carry ID. High-speed rail to Lianyungang station connects coastal Shandong-Jiangsu lines and inland routes toward Xuzhou and Huai'an. Taxis cover the dyke and island bays. The Lianyungang travel guide sequences mountain, island and a short Kongwang Shan stop across three days.
Before you go
- Prefer Sumawan when Dashawan looks packed.
- Pack shade and water for the open dyke.
- Keep Huaguoshan on a different day.
- Check seafood prices by weight before ordering in Lianyun harbour houses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Liandao a true island visit?
You reach it by road across the sea wall, so it feels like a coastal peninsula day even though it remains an island joined by engineering.
Dashawan or Sumawan?
Dashawan for facilities and classic beach energy. Sumawan for quieter green shore.
Can I swim in May or October?
Water is cooler outside the core summer window. Follow local safety flags. Do not rely on any fixed calendar alone.
One day for both Huaguoshan and Liandao?
Possible only as a rushed sampler. Separate days respect stairs and sand.
Island pacing and crowds
Summer holiday weekends pack Dashawan parking and shade spots. Arrive early, walk to Sumawan first, then decide whether Dashawan still appeals. Coastal rock paths can be slippery after spray or rain. Shoes with grip help even on a beach day.
If wind is too strong for comfortable shore walking, shorten the island loop and keep Kongwang Shan's cliff carvings or a quiet harbour meal as the soft backup. The Lianyungang travel guide lists those buffers beside the two main days out.
Name and geography
Lianyungang takes part of its name from this island and from Yuntai Mountain inland. Standing on the dyke makes that geography obvious, with forested island, open bay, industrial harbour and distant ridges in one view. Photographers often stop midway along the wall for that layered frame. Allow time for the crossing itself as well as beach hours on arrival.
Seafood dinners in Lianyun District finish a coastal day well. Shellfish and fish are often priced by weight, so confirm price and weight before cooking starts. Simple noodle shops near inland hotels cover quieter nights before another mountain morning.
Sources
Facts in this article were checked against the following sources, retrieved 19 October 2026.
Photos are from Wikimedia Commons under the licences shown in each caption.