Liugong Island, Weihai

(劉公島景區 liú gōng dǎo jǐng qū)

Liugong Island, covering an area of 3.15 square kilometers, is located on the northeastern edge of Shandong Peninsula at the mouth of Weihai Bay. It was designated as a key protection site of cultural relics by the State Council in 1988.

The island played an extremely important role in national defense. Known as the "birthplace of China's first modern navy", it was the main battlefield for the Sino-Japanese War (1894-95). It offers many places of historic and cultural interest, including the ruins of the Warring States Period (475-221 BC) and the European architecture built when the place was occupied by Great Britain from 1898 to 1930.

The Museum of the Sino-Japanese War 1894-1895 on the island is a national museum founded in 1985 to memorialize the First Sino-Japanese War and to protect and manage the 28 historic sites on the island. A replica of Dingyuan, a warship from the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and seen as a symbol of patriotism, is also available for visitors to pay their respects to heroic Chinese sailors.

The island was also the first national-level marine forest park in China, due to its great environment, beautiful scenery and various kinds of animals. It has the reputation of being a natural oxygen bar.

Scenic Spot Level: AAAAA

Opening Hours: 7 am – 5 pm

Ticket Price: 130 yuan ($18.85, covering round-trip boat tickets and attractions)

Address: No 101-2 Binhai North Road, Huancui district, Weihai, Shandong

Website: http://www.liugongdao.com.cn/ (Chinese)

               http://www.liugongdao.com.cn/index.php?m=content&c=index&a=lists&catid=104 (English)

Note:
1. The early boat leaves at 8 am. The last boat into the scenic area leaves at 2:30 pm and the last one out of the scenic area leaves at 4:30 pm.
2. The replica warship Dingyuan is open from 8 am – 4:30 pm.
3. The scenic area implements the real-name system for buying tickets, so bring valid identification.
4. Buy travel insurance.