An ideal summer retreat

National tourist resort

Changhai is the only island county in Northeast China, and also the only bordering island county. Situated in the northern Yellow Sea off the eastern side of the Liaodong Peninsula, it consists of 195 islands (about 20 inhabited) and 359 kilometers of coastline.

Banking on its picturesque setting and ecological features, the county has introduced island-themed tourism packages that are immensely popular with tourists. These include activities such as clam digging, fishing and seafood savoring.

In June, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism announced a new batch of national tourist resorts, among them the Changshan Archipelago Tourist Resort in Dalian. The country's first archipelago-style national tourist resort has transformed Changhai, where it is located, from a relatively lesser-known hidden gem into a much-loved tourist destination, earning the title of "ideal summer retreat".

Data released by the local authorities showed that during the summer tourist season, from June to August, the county attracted 800,000 visitors who came to enjoy the charm of the islands and take in the coastal fishing village culture, with the highest single-day visitor count reaching 14,320.

The resort boasts 82 hotels and 88 tourist homestays and offers a variety of themed activities at the Xiaoshuikou Forest Park, Guanglu Laotieshan Forest Park and the "bird watching and dolphin appreciation" facility on the sea.

The county has been hosting a series of island-themed festivals such as a fishing village culture festival, Matsu cultural tourism festival and fishing festival, apart from organizing premium sports events such as a master fishing competition, marathons and cycling races.

Changhai enjoys unique ecological advantages and abundant marine resources, said Liu Baoqing, Party secretary of the county. "We are committed to building a comprehensive and all-encompassing archipelago tourist destination with distinctive marine cultural characteristics and first-class tourism and leisure facilities," he said.