01Guanyun County is loca…
Guanyun County is located in the northeastern part of Jiangsu Province, under the jurisdiction of Lianyungang City, on the coast of the Yellow Sea, east of the Guanhe River Estuary. It covers a total area of 1,538 square kilometers and has a permanent population of approximately 720,000 (2023). Guanyun has a long history, dating back to the establishment of the county in the 7th year of Wuding of the Eastern Wei Dynasty (549 AD), with over 1,400 years of history. It is an important coastal county in northern Jiangsu. The terrain is higher in the west and lower in the east, with hills and ridges in the west and coastal plains in the east, boasting a coastline of 32 kilometers. Guanyun has profound cultural heritage, being one of the important birthplaces of Huai salt culture and a hometown of Chinese folk culture and arts (paper-cutting, yangge dance, etc.). In recent years, relying on the ecological advantages of "Yishan Yishui" and cultural tourism resources such as "Yilu Mountain," Guanyun has built the "Guanyun Tourism" brand, becoming an emerging tourist destination in northern Jiangsu. Its uniqueness lies in the integration of mountain and sea scenery, historical relics, and modern ecological agriculture, especially represented by the "Dayishan Stone Coffin Tomb Site" (about 6,500 years old) and "Yilu Mountain Ecological Park," showcasing a multi-layered culture from the Neolithic Age to the present.
Guanyun County's tourism features "mountains, sea, hot springs, and temples" as its four major characteristics. Core scenic spots include Dayi Mountain, Yilu Mountain, Chaohe Bay, and Guanhekou Wetland.
1. Dayi Mountain Scenic Area: Located 1 km northwest of the county seat, it is a national 4A-level tourist attraction. The highlight is the Dayishan Stone Coffin Tomb Site, belonging to the Neolithic Qingliangang Culture, about 6,500 years old, and a national key cultural relic protection unit. Other attractions include the Dayi Mountain Giant Buddha (33 meters high, bronze) and the Stone Buddha Temple (first built in the Tang Dynasty, rebuilt in 2006). Ticket price: 60 yuan, opening hours: 8:00-17:30. Recommended visiting time: 3-4 hours. A temple fair is held annually on the third day of the third lunar month.
2. Yilu Mountain Ecological Park: About 15 km from the county seat, covering 3,000 mu, it is a 4A-level scenic area focusing on ecological agricultural tourism. It features a thousand-mu plum garden (plum blossoms in February-March), a hundred-mu peach orchard (peach blossoms in March-April), and seasonal fruit and vegetable picking areas (strawberries, grapes, etc.). Ticket price: 30 yuan, opening hours: 8:00-18:00.
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3. Chaohe Bay Ecological Park: Located in Yangji Town, about 20 km from the county seat, it is a water network wetland formed by the old course of the Chaohe River, mainly offering water sports (kayaking, boat tours) and camping. It is most beautiful in summer when lotus flowers bloom. Ticket price: 20 yuan, boat rides are extra.
4. Guanhekou Wetland: Located in Yanwei Port Town, it is a national-level wetland park and a bird-watching paradise (red-crowned cranes, white storks, etc., visible from November to March). Free admission. It is recommended to drive there, about 40 minutes from the county seat.
5. Guanyun Cuisine: The most famous is "Guanyun Dou Dan" (actually soybean hawkmoth larvae), a high-protein specialty dish with a texture similar to silkworm pupae. It is recommended to taste it on "Dou Dan Street" (Zhenxing Road) in the county seat, priced at about 80-120 yuan per serving. Other dishes include "Yishan Old Goose" (braised goose) and "Guanyun Liangfen" (mung bean jelly).
Transportation: From Lianyungang city center (Haizhou District), take BRT Bus Line B1 to Guanyun Bus Station (about 1 hour, fare 6 yuan); or take a high-speed train from Lianyungang Railway Station to Guanyun Station (about 20 minutes). County buses cover major towns, but taxis or self-driving are recommended for scenic spots.