Lianyungang: This Forgotten Coastal Gem in Jiangsu Deserves the Spotlight!

When you find Sanya too expensive and Xiamen too crowded,

there's a coastal city known as the "First Scenic Spot of the East Sea,"

where life is slow, and beauty and美食 abound.

It may not be as热门 as Sanya or Dalian,

but it's one of China's top ten seaports,

and one of the first 14 coastal开放 cities...

It may not have the fame of Guilin or Zhangjiajie,

but its enchanting landscapes

inspired Wu Cheng'en to write "Journey to the West."

©Tuchong Photographer Tomrrey

It may not have the底蕴 of Nanjing's六朝古都,

but it's still a cultural city with古典气息:

Emperor Qin Shi Huang built the "Eastern Gate of Qin" here during his东巡,

Wu Cheng'en drew inspiration from Huaguo Mountain for "Journey to the West,"

Li Ruzhen wrote "Flowers in the Mirror" while residing in Banpu,

and Dr. Sun Yat-sen proposed building an "Oriental Great Port" here...

Just think of a place where the sea meets the sky in harmony!

Lush Cangwu Mountain rises from the sea, like the mythical Penglai and Fangzhang.

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Lianyungang, a place with mountains, sea, and stories.

Many are familiar with this name,

She is the hometown of the Great Sage and the starting point of the Longhai-Lanxin Railway,

©Tuchong Photographer 159439192912295

Although her GDP ranks among the top 100 cities in China,

in the past, due to the lack of direct high-speed rail,

she was often "isolated" from the "Su Da Qiang" circle,

making her arguably the most low-key city in Jiangsu!

Every time I finish introducing where I'm from,

people would ask questions like:

Where is Lianyungang? Shandong Lianyungang? Northeast Lianyungang?

But after the Lianyungang-Huai'an-Yangzhou-Zhenjiang high-speed rail officially opened,

this "awkward" situation no longer exists.

The travel time from Lianyungang to Nanjing has been reduced to about 2 hours,

and from 11 hours to about 3 hours.

Now, this low-key yet profound city of mountains and sea,

her beauty deserves to be known by more people!

The finest natural seaside bathing spot in Jiangsu...

The only place in Jiangsu selected by "Chinese National Geography,"

Kongwang Mountain, where Confucius once climbed to view the sea,

and the Huaguo Mountain that inspired Wu Cheng'en

when writing "Journey to the West"...

The cultural origin of "Flowers in the Mirror" and "Journey to the West,"

with ancient streets steeped in historical charm...

It may never have made it to your travel list,

but it’s an overlooked seafood paradise,

offering incredibly delicious seafood at astonishingly low prices:

scallops at 10 yuan per plate, 1 yuan each,

oysters at 5 yuan each, abalone at 2 yuan each...

The hidden gem you never knew—Lianyungang is truly a treasure!

You’ll see why "Land of Mountains and Seas" is no empty boast.

There are also soft, pristine beaches, fishing boats dotting the sea,

quaint fishing villages with淳朴 folkways, and mouthwatering seafood...

1. Home to Jiangsu’s largest island:

Here, you can experience the simple life of local fishermen,

setting out at sunrise and returning at sunset—back to nature.

2. Home to Jiangsu’s finest natural bathing beach:

One of China’s 16 health-certified seawater浴场,

along an 18-kilometer sandy coastline,

where you can ride the waves or lounge on the shore,

soaking in the ocean’s boundless tenderness.

3. Home to Jiangsu’s only coastal aquarium:

This is an aquarium built in the middle of the sea.

4. Here, there is a beach that combines green mountains, blue sea, golden sand,

dense forests, and peculiar rocks:

5. Here, there is a beautiful urban beach:

It is a resort for leisure and wellness.

6. Here, there is a beautiful island rarely disturbed:

The secluded tranquility and serenity,

7. Here, there is a "Potala Palace on the sea":

Evoking the poetic imagery of "waves appearing upside down, Penglai resembling a forest."

8. Here is one of Jiangsu's few nearshore islands:

Long renowned as the "Ancient Qin Mountain Island, Fairyland of the Yellow Sea."

© Tuchong Tiger_1962

9. Here stands one of China's top ten ports:

10. Here is Jiangsu's only cross-sea bridge:

Although Lianyungang's sea is not as famous as Qingdao or Xiamen,

You will then understand the Flower-Fruit Mountain and Water Curtain Cave from "Journey to the West,"

It is renowned worldwide as the hometown of the Monkey King,

With rich cultural landscapes and stunning natural scenery,

It is the most coveted destination for domestic and international tourists.

When visiting, be sure to go to Yunu Peak,

©Tuchong Sun Dasheng under Huaguo Mountain

Legend has it that this is where the Great Sage Sun practiced martial arts and cultivated himself.

2. Here lies a fairyland rivaling Penglai Mountain:

Lush greenery in summer, autumn winds and falling leaves in autumn,

the only place in Jiangsu selected by "Chinese National Geography."

3. Here stands a mountain where Confucius once climbed to gaze at the sea:

The entire mountain boasts stunning scenery and is dotted with historical sites.

On the western cliff of the southern foothills,

there is a group of cliff carvings and statues on Kongwang Mountain,

predating the Mogao Caves of Dunhuang by 200 years,

hailed as the "First Cliff Buddha of the Nine Provinces."

4. Here lies the "First Divine Mountain" of the Huaibei Plains:

Named after the Shang dynasty prime minister Yi Yin, who once lived here in seclusion,

it has been praised since ancient times as "Half of the Ten-Mile Green Mountain enters the city."

©Tuchong Photographer 161380868957362

5. Here is a place renowned as Jiangsu's "Huangguoshu":

©Tuchong Single Eye Sees the World 177

6. Here lies a "Zhangjiajie" of Jiangsu:

Formed by waterfalls, cliffs, and bizarre rocks,

its natural environment remains largely untouched.

The folk customs are simple and honest, with a strong rural charm.

7. Here lies the largest maple forest reserve in Lianyungang:

In summer, green leaves shade the sun, and in autumn, red leaves cover the mountains.

There’s actually such an ancient street in the old town!

1. Here lies the predecessor of the port city:

It has a history of over 2,000 years,

The construction of the Longhai Railway began here back then.

Stone gate towers were erected, marking it as the "Eastern Gate of Qin."

Emperor Qin Shi Huang made five eastern tours, passing through Haizhou three times,

Making it the only gateway open to foreign countries at the time.

Today, the ancient town features staggered buildings along the street,

Praised by tourists as the "Confucius Temple of Northern Jiangsu."

2. Here lies a seaside stone street with unique mountain-town characteristics:

It is the largest and most well-preserved ancient architectural complex in the port city area.

Yet it boasts the title of "First Town of the New Silk Road,"

Lacking the delicate elegance of blue bricks and black tiles typical of Jiangnan,

Instead, it exudes the rugged beauty of fishing families.

3. Here lies a historic cultural ancient town:

"Telling old tales, telling old tales, all the way to Banpu."

"Reciting the past, reciting the past, all the way to Banpu."

It has a history of nearly 1,400 years,

with Li Ruzhen, the author of "Flowers in the Mirror," being the most famous figure.

It turns out to be an overlooked culinary capital!

Lianyungang, with its mountains, rivers, and sea,

is actually an overlooked culinary capital.

Not only because it offers a wide variety of delicious foods,

but also because most of them can only be enjoyed here,

where you can taste their authentic flavors.

Seafood is expensive in other cities,

but in Lianyungang, the prices are surprisingly low.

The local name for mantis shrimp in Lianyungang,

deep-fried and sprinkled with salt and pepper, has a crispy texture.

Represented by the large yellow croaker from Ganyu District,

it is a seafood delicacy that leaves a lasting impression.

Pancakes rolled with green peppers and small fish,

take a bite, and you'll experience a burst of fresh flavors.

These delicacies in the port city will also make you exclaim in delight!

Made with tender young roosters,

the meat is fresh, chewy, and deliciously spicy.

© Tuchong Grass House Photography Studio

Hailed as "rare in the country, unique to northern Jiangsu,

and exclusive to Guanyun," this delicacy is a treasured gem.

Its smooth and elastic texture offers a tender, refreshing bite,

slippery yet not greasy, making it extremely famous in northern Jiangsu.

The pancake wrapper is delightfully soft, with fillings spread evenly,

silky and fragrant, releasing a fresh aroma.

You don’t need to visit high-end restaurants or hotels—

just take a stroll through this city,

and you’ll discover the most unforgettable flavors in its ordinary alleys.

Visit this understated coastal city,

and you might uncover unexpectedly beautiful scenery!