An ideal summer retreat

Dachangshan Island serves as the administrative center of Changshan archipelago. It is the most accessible central island of the archipelago. Along with two village-level islands, Haxian Island and Saili Island, it constitutes the Dachangshan Island Town.

"I had visited Haxian Island before, but could only take a cursory glance that time. Because of my extended stay this time, I felt its healing powers. Watching the sunrise and sunset, as well as the ebb and flow of the tides, is like being on a fairy island," Lu said.

Other guests at the homestay included a young couple from Anshan, Liaoning province, whose greatest joy was clam digging. Keeping an eye on the tide's schedule, they would surface the moment the tides receded to go looking for nature's bounty on the shore.

"On the evening before they left, they had gathered nearly 15 kilograms of conchs. If they are able to sell it at the market price of 80 yuan ($11.23) per kilogram, that would have covered the entire cost of their three-day island trip," said Lu.

The 3.45-km Changshan Bridge, operational since 2014, connects the Changhai's two biggest islands, Dachangshan and Xiaochangshan, benefiting 70 percent of the county's population.

Xiaochangshan Island features Xiaoshuikou Forest Park, which is built along the coastline with high vegetation coverage. Guanglu Island houses the Xiaozhushan cultural site, a typical shell mound of the Neolithic Age in northern China. It dates back 7,000 years and is one of the earliest primitive cultural sites found in the Dalian area.

Lu's group received permission to visit the tiny 9-hectare island of Fantuozi for filming. It was sheer joy for Cao, the elementary school student, to see and understand why the island is famous as the "paradise of 10,000 birds".

"Fantuozi is the largest breeding ground for the Chinese egret, a nationally protected bird species. From April to September each year, dedicated personnel are stationed to protect the area, keeping people at bay," Lu explained.

On Zhangzi Island, visitors venture out on boats, or on semi-submersible submarines, for fishing or underwater seafood harvesting. Depending on the season, it is possible to spot whales and seals in the waters off Changhai county.

"After this exploration, the beautiful scenery and cultural romance of Changhai have left an indelible mark on my son's mind," Lu said. "As for myself, the healing currents have made me realize the kind of life I aspire to have," she said.