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3 Days in Xingcheng: Itinerary 2026
Start your trip in Xingcheng's Old Town, a well-preserved Ming Dynasty walled city. Walk the city wall (entrance fee 50 CNY) for panoramic views, then visit the Confucius Templeβ¦ πΊοΈ Day 1: Old Town
Start your trip in Xingcheng's Old Town, a well-preserved Ming Dynasty walled city. Walk the city wall (entrance fee 50 CNY) for panoramic views, then visit the Confucius Temple (open 8:00-17:00). For lunch, try local seafood at a restaurant near the South Gate, where a meal for two costs about 100 CNY.
ποΈ Beach Time
In the afternoon, head to the nearby Xingcheng Beach, just a 10-minute taxi ride (about 15 CNY) from the Old Town. Relax on the sand or rent a beach umbrella for 20 CNY. As the sun sets, take a stroll along the promenade and enjoy the sea breeze.
π Evening Food Walk
For dinner, explore the night market on East Street, which comes alive after 6 PM. Sample local specialties like grilled squid and cold noodles, with most dishes costing between 10 and 30 CNY. End the evening with a cup of local tea at a teahouse near the Drum Tower.
ποΈ Day 2: Coastal Sights
On your second day, take a 30-minute bus ride (line 1, 2 CNY) to the Juhua Island ferry terminal. Catch the ferry to Juhua Island (round trip 100 CNY, departs every hour from 8 AM) and spend the morning exploring its rocky shores and fishing villages. Return to the mainland by early afternoon.
π― Fortress and Gardens
Back on the mainland, visit the Xingcheng Fortress, a 17th-century military stronghold, just a 15-minute walk from the ferry terminal. The entrance fee is 40 CNY, and the site is open until 17:30. Afterward, relax in the nearby Longquan Garden, a peaceful spot with ponds and pavilions, free to enter.
π Getting Around
Xingcheng is compact, and most attractions are within a 20-minute drive of each other. Public buses cost 1-2 CNY, while taxis start at 7 CNY for the first 3 kilometers. For day trips, consider renting a bicycle from your hotel for about 30 CNY per day.
π Day 3: Nature Escape
On your final day, take a 40-minute taxi (around 60 CNY) to the Shoushan National Forest Park, known for its hiking trails and ancient pines. The park opens at 7 AM, and the entrance fee is 60 CNY. Plan to spend at least three hours exploring the main loop trail.
ποΈ Local Souvenirs
Before leaving, stop by the Xingcheng Seafood Market on West Street to buy dried seafood and local snacks as gifts. Prices are negotiable, and a bag of dried shrimp costs about 30 CNY. The market is open from 8 AM to 6 PM, and vendors accept cash or mobile payments.
The guide's solid, but I'd swap Day 3's taxi for the local minibus that runs from the east bus station to Shoushan. It's 8 yuan, takes about 50 minutes, and drops you right at the park gate, plus you get to see the countryside along the way. On the trail, don't skip the side path to the old watchtower near the summit, most people miss it and it's the best view of the coast. For souvenirs, haggle harder at the seafood market, I got a bag of dried scallops for 20 yuan less than the first price they quoted. And if you're there on a weekday, the Confucius Temple is way quieter before 10 AM, the tour groups roll in after that.
this is solid, i did almost this exact route last june. one thing i'd add: skip the bus to juhua island and just grab a taxi, it's like 20-25 yuan and saves you the wait, line 1 can get packed with day trippers. also the night market on east street is good but the grilled squid stalls near the south gate are way better, less touristy and they'll throw in extra chili if u ask. for the fortress, go later in the afternoon, the light hits the walls nice and it's cooler. and if u have time, the little seafood place two doors down from the confucius temple, not the one right at the gate, does a killer steamed prawn dish for like 60 yuan, way better value than the ones on the main strip
good writeup, covers the main spots pretty well. one thing i'd add: grab the ferry to juhua island early, like the 8am one, and eat lunch at one of the tiny places near the dock, not the ones facing the water. i had a bowl of seafood noodles for 15 yuan that beat anything i got in town, the family running it just cooks what came in that morning. also, if you're into the old town, the west gate is way less crowded than the south one and the walk along the wall from there to the drum tower is nicer, less souvenir stalls and more actual old houses. for the forest park, the main loop is fine but the side trail to the east ridge takes you past a small temple that's been there since the qing dynasty, nobody mentions it and it's a good half hour detour. solid plan overall, just pace yourself with the seafood, two big meals a day is plenty.
Things to Do in Xingcheng (2026)
Xingcheng's main draw is its long sandy beach along the Bohai Sea. Head to the central beach area near the Old City for the most amenities, including loungers and umbrellas for rent.β¦ ποΈ Beach Time
Xingcheng's main draw is its long sandy beach along the Bohai Sea. Head to the central beach area near the Old City for the most amenities, including loungers and umbrellas for rent. For a quieter stretch, walk south toward the fishing port, where locals often swim in the late afternoon. Lifeguards are on duty during summer months, but always check local conditions before entering the water.
π° Old City Walls
The Ming Dynasty city walls are remarkably well preserved and encircle the historic core. You can walk along the top for a small fee (about 20 yuan) and get a great view of the tiled rooftops below. Enter through the South Gate, which is the most photogenic, especially in the late afternoon light. The walls are open from 8:00 to 18:00 daily, and the walk takes about an hour at a leisurely pace.
π Seafood Feasts
Xingcheng is famous for its seafood, and the best place to try it is at the night market near the beach. Look for stalls grilling fresh oysters, scallops, and squid, all for around 10 to 20 yuan per skewer. For a sit-down meal, try the restaurants along the waterfront promenade, where you can pick live seafood from tanks. A full meal for two with several dishes typically costs 150 to 250 yuan.
β°οΈ Longwan Bay Park
Just a short bus ride south of the city center, Longwan Bay Park offers dramatic cliffs and a quieter beach experience. The park has well-maintained walking trails that hug the coastline, with several viewpoints perfect for photos. Entry is 30 yuan, and the park is open from 8:00 to 17:30. Bring water and sunscreen, as shade is limited on the trails.
ποΈ Confucius Temple
Located inside the Old City, the Confucius Temple is a peaceful escape from the beach crowds. The complex dates back to the Ming Dynasty and features beautiful courtyards, ancient trees, and a small museum. Admission is 15 yuan, and it's open from 8:30 to 17:00. Visit in the morning to avoid tour groups and enjoy the quiet atmosphere.
π Getting Around
Xingcheng is compact, and most attractions are within walking distance of the Old City or the beach. Local buses (routes 1, 2, and 3) connect the train station, Old City, and beach areas for just 1 yuan per ride. Taxis are cheap, with most trips within the city costing under 10 yuan. For day trips to nearby attractions like Juhua Island, take a ferry from the port near the beach, which runs every 30 minutes from 8:00 to 17:00.
π Sunset Views
The best place to watch the sunset is from the western section of the beach, near the fishing port. As the sun dips below the horizon, the sky turns shades of orange and pink, and the fishing boats bob gently in the water. Another great spot is the top of the Old City walls, where you can see the sun set over the sea in the distance. Bring a light jacket, as the breeze can be cool even in summer.
ποΈ Local Souvenirs
For unique keepsakes, browse the small shops inside the Old City, where you'll find handmade shell crafts and traditional paper cuttings. The beach promenade also has stalls selling dried seafood snacks, which make great gifts. Prices are negotiable, so don't be afraid to haggle politely. Most shops accept cash or mobile payments, but it's wise to carry some cash for smaller vendors.
The guide is spot on about the seafood night market, but I'd add that you should try the grilled razor clams, not just the oysters. They're a local specialty and usually a bit cheaper, around 8 yuan each. Also, if you're up for it, rent a bike near the South Gate and ride north along the coast road; it takes you past some smaller, uncrowded beaches where the water is clearer than the main stretch. I did that last summer and ended up at a little shack selling fresh corn and cold beer, which was the best part of the trip.
You've got the Old City right, but there's a hidden gem on the wall itself. Climb up near the East Gate and walk a few minutes past the first watchtower; there's a stretch where the wall backs right onto a residential courtyard. In the late afternoon, locals hang laundry below and old men play chess on the stones, and you get this slice of everyday life that the postcard views miss. It's free if you've already paid the 20 yuan entry, and it's a good spot to just sit for a while.
Also, don't skip the breakfast scene inside the city walls. There's a tiny shop on the main north-south lane, just past the Confucius Temple, that does jianbing and soy milk for about 6 yuan. It's not in any guidebook and the lady running it doesn't speak much English, but point at the pork and egg option and you'll eat better than anything near the beach. Go before 9 am, they sell out fast.
good call on the razor clams, those are underrated. one thing the guide doesnt mention is the early morning scene at the fishing port, like 5 or 6 am, before the tour buses roll in. the boats unload right there and you can buy crab or shrimp straight off the deck for half the night market price, then any of the little noodle shacks nearby will cook it for you for a few yuan. i did that once and ate the best steamed prawns of my life for maybe 40 yuan total.
also if u have a spare afternoon, skip the juhua island ferry and just walk the breakwater at the south end of the beach instead. it's free, nobody's there, and you get a weirdly good view of the old city walls from the water side. the ferry is fine but it's mostly a tourist trap with overpriced snacks.