A family of three weekend trip to Qinhuangdao, fun and budget-friendly!
Family👨👩👧, still wondering where to take the kids for the weekend? Qinhuangdao is definitely an excellent choice! Here you’ll find sunny beaches🏖, historical sites, and plenty of delicious food🍜. A weekend for a family of three can be both exciting and easy on the wallet without any pitfalls! This super detailed guide is a must-save, just follow it and you’re good to go😎!
🚗 Transportation Guide
Plane✈️: Qinhuangdao Beidaihe Airport is a bit far from the city center, but there are airport shuttles directly to the city and Beidaihe. A taxi takes about an hour; for a family of three, taxis are more convenient and flexible—go whenever you want😏.
Train/High-speed Rail🚄: Both Qinhuangdao Station and Beidaihe Station have many trains. Qinhuangdao Station is in the Haigang District, close to city attractions; Beidaihe Station is near seaside spots. Choose your station based on your accommodation and itinerary—super thoughtful🥰.
City Transport🚌: Public buses are very convenient. Download the “Qinhuangdao Bus” app to scan codes for rides and get electronic bus cards via Alipay. In areas with many attractions, shared bikes🚲 are free and flexible, perfect for riding with kids and enjoying the sea breeze😆.
🏠 Accommodation Recommendations
Jinmeng Bay🌅: Sea view rooms with stunning views; open the curtains in the morning to see breathtaking sunrises and sunsets🌇. Surrounded by malls and snack streets, very convenient for dining and shopping. Qinhuang Alley is nearby, perfect for food and shopping adventures anytime😋. If your budget allows, choose a sea view hotel; for better value, pick a homestay like Guyu Seaside Homestay, just a few minutes’ walk to Jinmeng Bay and Qinhuang Alley—super awesome🤩.
Haigang District🏙: High cost-performance, convenient transportation, and many food options. For example, Atour Hotel on Beigang Street near Qinhuangdao Train Station is great for families catching early trains or high-speed rail, allowing you to sleep in a bit😪.
Near Beidaihe Liuzhuang🏘: Close to the beach and popular attractions, with convenient dining, shopping, and many family inns at affordable prices. However, it’s crowded in peak season, so book early and compare prices on multiple platforms to find the best deals—you might even snag a hidden gem🤭.
📅 Itinerary
Day 1: First Taste of History and Culture
Morning🌞: Head to Shanhaiguan to visit the “First Pass Under Heaven.” Climb the city tower to overlook the ancient city, feeling like you’ve traveled back in time to experience the rich history. Tickets cost about 40 RMB🎫. Let the kids learn history while having fun—two birds with one stone👏.
Noon🍱: Try the local specialty Hun Guo hot pot in Shanhaiguan, a pot full of ingredients, steaming and satisfying, about 50 RMB per person. One bite and happiness overflows🥰.
Afternoon🌤: Visit Laolongtou Scenic Area to see where the Ming Great Wall meets the sea, marveling at the grandeur of the wall and ocean merging. Tickets about 50 RMB🎫. Photo spot: Laolongtou sea-entry stone city, with the sea as the backdrop, every shot is a masterpiece sure to get tons of likes on social media👍.
Evening🌃: Go to Qinhuang Alley, a food paradise with a variety of snacks like Jianmenzi, cold noodles, grilled squid, and more. Eat until you can barely walk, about 30-50 RMB per person—foodies can’t miss this😋.
Day 2: Fun by the Seaside
Early Morning🌅: Watch the sunrise at Pigeon Nest Park, tickets about 25 RMB🎫. The wide view and vast tidal flats make it the perfect spot to see the “red sun bathing the sea.” After sunrise, enjoy beachcombing, catching little crabs, and collecting shells with the kids—super fun, like reliving childhood🥳. Photo spot: Eagle Horn Pavilion overlooking the whole beach and sunrise, stunning like a beautiful painting🖼.
Morning🌞: Head to Biluota Bar Park, with blue and white buildings full of Santorini vibes, perfect for photos. There are also special performances, tickets about 70 RMB🎫. Photo spots: seaside swings and hot air balloon props, every shot is a romantic masterpiece, like being in a fairy tale🧚♀️.
Noon🍱: Have a seafood feast at a nearby restaurant—steamed crab, spicy clams, garlic vermicelli scallops, fresh and original flavors, about 80-120 RMB per person, letting your taste buds indulge in a seafood banquet😋.
Afternoon🌤: Visit Laohushi Seaside Park, relax on a beach chair sunbathing or swim and play in the sea, watch the beautiful sunset. You can also rent a bike to ride along the most beautiful coastal road, enjoying the sea breeze and the feeling of freedom🚲. Photo spot: highest point of Laohushi, panoramic views that are breathtaking, as if you can see the whole world🌏.
Evening🌃: Explore Liuzhuang Night Market, where besides food, you can buy souvenirs and trinkets, about 30-50 RMB per person. You might find your favorite treasure🎁.
Day 3: Art and Romance
Morning🌞: Visit Anaya (advance reservation required, ticket prices vary by event), check in at Anaya Chapel and the Lonely Library. Take atmospheric photos in front of the white chapel, quietly read in the Lonely Library, feeling the artistic vibe as if time slows down📚. Photo spot: beach in front of Anaya Chapel, with the chapel and sea as the backdrop, super romantic, like a movie scene🎬.
Noon🍱: Dine at a restaurant inside Anaya Park, try light meals like sandwiches, salads, pasta, about 50-80 RMB per person, simple and delicious, enjoy a leisurely meal🥪.
Afternoon🌤: Visit Cat’s Sky City concept bookstore, pick a postcard to send to your future self, enjoy a relaxing time, free admission📮. Then get ready to head home with wonderful memories🥰.
🍜 Food Recommendations
Seafood🦀: Must-eat seafood in Qinhuangdao! Visit Shitang Road Market, Hedong or Daonan seafood markets to buy fresh seafood, then find nearby shops to cook it—steamed, spicy stir-fried, or boiled, all delicious. Processing fees are reasonable, about 10-20 RMB per dish. Recommended: mantis shrimp, crab, clams—fresh and tasty, every bite full of ocean flavor🌊.
Local Specialties🥘:
Puluo Leaf Cake: Made by wrapping fillings in puluo tree leaves and steaming, with a unique fresh aroma, about 20-30 RMB per person, like tasting nature’s gift🌿.
Meat Hot Pot: Made with sauerkraut, vermicelli, pork belly, cooked in a copper pot, steaming hot and warming, about 50-80 RMB per person. One bite in winter warms you up☀️.
Yang Sausage: Firm meat, savory and delicious, can be bought as gifts, about 15-20 RMB each, so friends and family can taste Qinhuangdao’s flavors🎁.
Night Market Snacks🍢: Qinhuang Alley and Gongfuzhuang Night Market have many special snacks like Jianmenzi, fried noodle skins, grilled cold noodles, fried meat, etc. Save room to eat, about 20-40 RMB per person, a paradise for food lovers😋.
💰 Money-saving Tips
Set a Budget Plan📝: Make a detailed budget before departure covering food, accommodation, transport, and activities. Set a daily limit per person to avoid overspending, like putting a safety lock on your wallet🔒.
Save on Transport🚌: Use public buses or shared bikes in the city, take trains for long distances instead of taxis to save money💰.
Save on Accommodation🏠: Choose cost-effective homestays or budget hotels, book early for discounts, and you might get a great room🤩.
Save on Tickets🎫: Distinguish core and non-core attractions. For example, buy tickets for Pigeon Nest sunrise and daytime tickets for Biluota. Use free resources like beaches, boardwalks, and Xigang Garden to have fun without spending😆.
Save on Food🍜: Try seafood but don’t overdo it. Frequent local small eateries and markets, bring your own water bottle to save money and drink healthy water🥤.
⚠️ Pitfall Avoidance
Book Early📅: Tickets and accommodation must be booked in advance, especially in peak season when crowds and limited rooms can disrupt your plans😣.
Sun Protection🧴: The seaside has strong UV rays; sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats are essential to avoid sunburn and turning into a “little blackie”😜.
Seafood Eating Tips🦀: Avoid drinking ice-cold beer with seafood to prevent stomach issues. Pair with ginger vinegar sauce to remove fishy smell and keep warm, like putting a protective layer on your stomach🥰.
Anaya Reservation🎫: Visiting Anaya requires advance booking. Non-owners/guests can reserve spots at the Lonely Library or Art Center at least a week ahead via the official app, or you might waste a trip😢.
Unpredictable Weather☁️: Check the weather forecast before traveling and bring rain gear to avoid getting soaked and ruining your mood😒.
Dear friends, follow this guide and your family of three will have a happy, satisfying, and budget-friendly trip to Qinhuangdao without any pitfalls! Pack your bags and set off now💕!