Lianyungang's Blue Dopamine: A 24-Hour Whirlwind Island Adventure on Lian Island!

"Who says there are no crystal-clear waters in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai?" I just got back from Lian Island, and the fine sand of Dasha Bay is still between my toes. This largest island in Jiangsu perfectly blends the romance of *Our Little Sister* with the wildness of *One Piece*! 🚗 Guide to the Island 📍 Location: Lianyungang, Jiangsu (Take the high-speed train to Lianyungang Station → Take Bus No. 3 directly to the island) 🎫 Tickets: 50 yuan (including shuttle bus! Be sure to buy a round-trip bus ticket) ⏰ Magic Hour: Sunrise at Suma Bay / Sunset at Dasha Bay 🌅 24 Hours of Ocean Waves Rhapsody ▫️ 05:30 Raid on Suma Bay Rush barefoot into Jiangsu's version of "Land's End"! The peacock-blue seawater laps against the windmill-covered hills in the morning mist. I found a hermit crab and wrote a poem on the beach. Suddenly, the sunrise burst forth from the sea caves—the unedited photos on my phone are all wallpaper-worthy 📸. ▫️ 09:00 Conquering the Coastal Plank Road Take a stroll along the longest seaside wooden boardwalk in the country! Cliffs on the left, blue waves on the right. I was blown around like a character from a martial arts movie on the suspension bridge, and then I turned a corner and saw an old man casting a 10-meter fishing rod at the Fishing Platform—this is a true fishing master 🎣. ▫️ 15:00 Relaxing at Dasha Bay Rent a rainbow beach umbrella for 30 yuan and watch the motorboats draw white lace on the emerald sea. Buy a sea salt lemon ice drink and run towards the waves. Capture the moment you trip over the浒苔 (green algae) as a meme 🌊. ▫️ 19:00 Chasing the Light at the West Causeway Ride a shared electric bike across the long causeway! The sunset dyes the wind turbines into pink pinwheels. As I passed the Lian Island Seafood Market, an auntie stuffed a梭子蟹 (swimming crab) into my hand—"Little girl, it's sweetest steamed!" 🦀 Seafood Lover's Paradise ▪️ Xugou Seafood City: Freshly caught and cooked seafood: 38 yuan/kg for mantis shrimp bursting with roe, finger-licking good with salt and pepper! ▪️ Dark Cuisine: Dou Dan Casserole: Lianyungang's limited "worm dish," a high-protein explosion. ▪️ Must-try: Cloud Mist Tea: Have a pot at the reef teahouse, and even the sea fog smells of tea. ⚠️ Avoid These Mistakes ❌ Don't wear a long skirt! The strong winds on the boardwalk will expose you. ❌ Refuse the "pearl necklaces" sold on the beach for 5 yuan each (they're actually plastic). ❌ Don't drive on weekends! Expect to wait in line for the parking lot for at least an hour. ❌ Be cautious about visiting during the green algae season in August; swimming becomes like "green vegetable soup." 📸 Photo Tips ✔️ Yangwotou Cliffs + white railings = Jeju Island substitute. ✔️ Deng Xiaoping Park: Give a high five to the statue of the great leader across the sea. ✔️ Night photography: Capture the silhouette of the lighthouse and use a slow shutter speed to create star trails. ✔️ Outfit tip: Brightly colored scarves! Let the sea breeze blow for a great shot. 🎣 Hidden Adventures ✅ Seashore Treasure Hunting: Rent a small bucket for 10 yuan and dig for clams (best during spring tides around the new and full moon). ✅ Become a "fisherman for a day" by joining a fishing boat (book in advance with your guesthouse owner). ✅ Collect seven different colored pebbles (a secret spot on the east side of Suma Bay). ✅ Stay overnight at an islander's home and listen to grandma tell tales of sea monsters from the 1970s. 💌 Postscript When I found an oyster prying itself open to bask in the sun in a rock crevice, a beachcomber grandpa laughed, revealing his missing teeth: "Girl, this is a treat from the sea!" At this moment, the sound of the waves mingled with the distant whistle of a cargo ship, and I suddenly understood the magic of Lian Island—it can accommodate the roar of a giant ship passing by, yet also cherishes the tiny romance of each grain of sand. (P.S. Before leaving the island, be sure to pack some shrimp paste. Add a spoonful when stir-frying water spinach, and you'll be instantly transported back to a sea breeze-filled dusk.)