Liugong Island, Weihai (刘公岛)

Liugong Island lies just off Weihai, Shandong, and is reached from the Liugong Island Ferry Terminal on Xinwei Road in Huancui District. The hilly, wooded island holds the Museum of the First Sino-Japanese War and the former Beiyang Fleet headquarters of the Qing navy, along with warship relics, sea views and hiking paths. Weihai is about 260 km east of Qingdao and about 100 km east of Yantai. The usual route from Qingdao is a high-speed train from Qingdao North to Weihai, taking about 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes and costing CNY 95-160. From Weihai Station, Bus 12 or a DiDi (CNY 20-30, about 20 minutes) reaches the ferry pier, and the ferry crossing takes about 15-20 minutes. The first ferry departs around 7:30 and the last return is roughly 17:00-18:00 depending on season. Ferry plus island entrance costs about CNY 170-200. On the island, the war museum explains the 1894-95 naval conflict and the fate of the Beiyang Fleet, while the old headquarters buildings show the layout of the fleet's base. A coastal trail circles parts of the island through woodland with views back to Weihai. A full day arc is to take the first ferry by about 8:00, visit the museum and old headquarters in the morning, walk the coast trail, and return on the 16:00 ferry, leaving time for a seafood dinner in Weihai. Time on the island is about 4-6 hours. May to June and September to October offer the most comfortable weather. Food on the island is limited to a few snack outlets, so many visitors eat before boarding or wait until returning to Weihai. Foggy days can suspend ferries, and midsummer weekends bring long ferry queues.