Liugong Island (刘公岛)

Liugong Island (Liugongdao) lies in Weihai Bay off the Huancui District of Weihai, Shandong, China, and is best known as the base of the Qing dynasty Beiyang Fleet. The fleet was destroyed here during the First Sino-Japanese War of 1894 to 1895, an event that shaped modern Chinese history. Visitors reach the island by a ferry of about 15 minutes from the Weihai ferry terminal, with services running from around 7:30AM and the last return at about 5:30PM. The ticket, about CNY 120 in peak season, covers the round-trip ferry and island entry. On the island, the Museum of the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-95 presents the campaign with artefacts, models and documents. Other sites include the former Beiyang Fleet headquarters, an old naval school, the Guangji anchor tower and ruins of coastal batteries, along with wooded paths, beaches and a bird-rich pine forest. A full visit takes four to five hours, and visitors walk between sites or use electric carts. Spring and autumn offer comfortable weather, while summer weekends bring large crowds and ferry queues. Photographers favour views of the bay from the shoreline paths, the old fleet headquarters and the memorial exhibits. Reaching the ferry terminal from Weihai station takes about 10 minutes by taxi or bus. Visitors should arrive early, carry identification for ferry boarding and plan the return ferry carefully so as not to miss the last sailing.