Plan at a glance
Take the ferry from Xingcheng Land–Island Ferry Terminal
Take a boat to and from Juehua Island (觉华岛) at Xingcheng Land–Island Ferry Terminal (兴城陆岛交通码头) on the mainland; neither Xingcheng Seaside Scenic Area nor the old town is a boarding point. Attractions on the island are spread out. Check the boat type, outbound departure, last return sailing and island transport before deciding how long to stay.
Allow 3–4 hours on the island to choose one or two stops. Visiting Dalonggong Temple (大龙宫寺), Jiuding Stone (九鼎石), Strange Rock Beach (怪石滩) and a bathing beach would take a full day. Boat travel and time waiting to board are additional.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
Choose your visit
Dalonggong Temple and nearby heritage sites
Dalonggong Temple and nearby heritage sites make a cultural route. Stop at smaller sites such as Bajiao Well and Tangwang Cave only if entry is permitted on site. A map or travel account does not mean a place is open every day; check the temple's photography rules as well.
Jiuding Stone and Strange Rock Beach
Access to the reef shore and rock viewpoints depends on tides, waves and local notices. Do not climb or collect things even at low tide. Do not enter the water to follow the tide or take marine life, and keep children close.
East Coast boardwalk and South Sea Bathing Beach
Walk the boardwalk for sea views during the day, or choose South Sea Bathing Beach for time on the sand. Check whether the swimming area and lifeguard service are available and whether the beach is open for the season. If you want to watch the sunset, plan your departure around the last return ferry.
Build your day
A 3–4 hour short visit
At the island pier, first ask which attractions the island transport serves. Choose one or two stops based on the vehicle schedule and walking distances. Attractions are spread out, so return to the pier for your boat when you finish.
A full day of heritage and coast
Take an early boat to the island, then use the island transport running that day to visit Dalonggong Temple and one or more of Jiuding Stone or Strange Rock Beach. Depending on the tide and what is open, continue to a bathing beach or the boardwalk. Plan around the last return ferry published at the pier; do not count on an extra sailing being added.
Sunset and overnight stay
If staying into the evening, first confirm your accommodation, transfer to the pier and the next day's boat schedule, and ask whether attractions remain open at night. Without an overnight stay and a confirmed boat the next day, plan around the last return sailing. If you want to watch the sunset, check that the ferry schedule works first.
Get there
Boat schedule, boat type and return ticket
Regular passenger boats and luxury yachts have different travel times, departure intervals and ticket rules. When buying, ask whether the return trip uses the same ticket, whether you need to select a return sailing or exchange the ticket on site, the latest check-in time and what happens if service is suspended. If boats leave when full, waiting time varies with passenger numbers.
Mainland pier and parking
For driving directions, search for “兴城陆岛交通码头” (Xingcheng Land–Island Ferry Terminal). Check the parking entrance, fee basis and overtime rules. After arriving on Juehua Island, you can use local transport to reach attractions farther from the pier. Some sights can also be explored on foot, depending on the route and distance. If arriving by train, use the station on your ticket—Xingcheng or Xingcheng West—to check bus or taxi connections to the pier and the last return service. The seaside entrances and ferry terminal are in different places.
Transport on the island
The island ring road is about 25 km long, while the coastline is about 27 km; these figures measure different things. [Liaoning Provincial Government: Juehua Island's upgraded ring road](https://www.ln.gov.cn/web/ywdt/qsgd/ass_2_1/2026080510482037298/index.shtml); [Liaoning Department of Culture and Tourism: Juehua Island Tourist Resort](https://whly.ln.gov.cn/whly/wlzt/sjly/ajjq/2025102216212431960/index.shtml). Attractions are spread out, so walking the entire island is impractical. Use the island bus or scenic-area vehicles running that day to choose key stops. Ask about stops, intervals and the last departure, then plan your return to the pier around the last ferry. If renting an electric scooter, confirm the required license, insurance, passenger limit, rental period and return location. Follow the rental operator's contract for rules and fees.
Know before you go
Free admission does not include the boat ticket
Juehua Island has had a time-limited free-admission policy. The published policy waives the scenic-area entrance and Ancient Shore Gallery tickets from July 1, 2024 through December 31, 2026, but does not include the round-trip boat ticket. As a rough reference, round-trip tickets have been listed at about CNY 90 for a regular passenger boat and CNY 120 for a faster boat service. Check current fares, ticket validity and return-sailing requirements with the ferry operator before booking. Confirm child discounts with the pier's ticket office on the day. Visitors using foreign passports should ask in advance which documents are needed for real-name booking and ticket collection. [Qunar travel information: boat ticket reference](https://travelnews.qunar.com/qa_strategy/juehuadao-2-day-1-night-travel-guide); [Liaoshen Evening News: Juehua Island admission-free policy](https://epaper.lnd.com.cn/lswbepaper/pad/con/202407/04/content_244174.html)
Fog, suspended service and missing the last ferry
Wind, fog, sea conditions and the season can affect the island ferry. Confirm whether boats are running and the last return sailing before deciding to go. If conditions worsen after you arrive, follow instructions from the pier, boat operator and maritime authorities. Do not take an unverified private boat to nearby islets.
Tides, steps and fitness
Reefs may be slippery, and there are walks and changes in elevation between the boardwalk, temple and viewpoints. Wear shoes with good grip. Gather shellfish only in permitted areas and with reference to the day's tides. Visitors with limited mobility should ask the operator about specific stops, walking surfaces and distances.
Food, accommodation and pets
If staying overnight, confirm your room, pier transfers, meals and charges in writing. Before ordering seafood, check the species, size, unit price and preparation fee. Confirm opening hours with each lodging provider and restaurant. If bringing a pet, check the rules separately with the boat operator and accommodation, since their pet policies may differ.