Huludao is a coastal city on the northwestern shore of Liaodong Bay, in southwestern Liaoning, and the first city outside the Shanhai Pass. Its shoreline, sandy beaches and the preserved Ming-era walled town at Xingcheng give it a distinctly different feel from the industrial inland districts, and summer is when most domestic visitors arrive.
For a visitor, the practical choice is between the urban core around Longgang District, where the city's transport and services are concentrated, and Xingcheng, the historic town and beach resort to the southwest that functions as the region's traditional holiday base. This guide covers those areas and how each one connects you to the coast, the old town and the wider sights.
Best areas to stay in Huludao
1. Xingcheng
Xingcheng is the area most visitors picture when they think of a Huludao holiday. It combines a well-preserved Ming dynasty old town, whose original walls are still intact and whose interior holds temples and historical architecture, with Xingcheng Beach, a long-established resort known as the "second Beidaihe". The hot springs in the surrounding region and the relatively uncrowded beaches have made it a health destination, and Juhua Island is a significant attraction nearby.
This suits first-time visitors who want history and beach within the same base, as well as families and anyone planning a slower, resort-style stay. It is the strongest choice if the old town and the coast are your priorities, though it sits away from the city's main urban core and its high-speed rail connections.
2. Longgang District
Longgang District is the urban heart of Huludao, on the peninsula whose fiddle-shaped contour gives the city its name. Longwan Beach lies near the city centre here, so you can combine a central, service-rich location with easy access to the sand. The city's bus network and taxis cover this area, and it is the most convenient base for reaching Huludao North Station and the high-speed trains that run to Beijing in about three hours.
Choose this if you want to be in the middle of things, value straightforward transport links, or plan to use Huludao as a base for wider trips around the region. It is the better option for travellers who prefer a working city over a resort, and for those arriving or leaving by rail.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: Expect simple guesthouse-style and basic hotel accommodation, most plentiful in the urban core and around the beach areas, where you trade space and finish for a central or coastal location.
- Mid-range: The widest choice, with comfortable chain and independent hotels in Longgang District and resort-oriented properties in Xingcheng, often within walking distance of the beach or the old town.
- Splurge: The top end is concentrated in the Xingcheng resort area, where the hot springs and beach setting support larger, more full-service places aimed at holidaymakers and health-focused visitors.
Best area for a first visit
Base yourself in Xingcheng. It puts the Ming dynasty walled old town, the beach, the hot springs and Juhua Island within reach of one another, which is exactly what most first-time visitors come to Huludao to see. If your trip depends on high-speed rail, consider Longgang District instead, since it sits closer to the city's main transport links.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Huludao?
Summer, when domestic tourists come for the sandy beaches. The climate is a continental monsoon one, with cold dry winters and hot humid summers.
How do I get to Huludao and around it?
Huludao is a key rail and road link between Beijing and northern cities such as Shenyang and Harbin, and the renovated North Station puts Beijing about three hours away by high-speed train. Locally, more than 25 bus services and taxis cover the city, and long-distance buses and trains connect the centres of the wider region.
Which area is best for beaches?
Xingcheng, for its traditional resort beach and nearby island, and Longgang District, for Longwan Beach close to the city centre.
Is Huludao a good base for seeing the Great Wall?
Yes. The Great Wall passes through the area in spectacular fashion at Jiumenkou on the Hebei border, where it spans the Daqing river in nine gates, the only section built over water.
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