Dongna Yu Bay

The Dongna Yu Bay Scenic Area is located on the southeast coast of China and is a national tourist resort integrating mountain and sea scenery with cultural heritage. This bay scenic area, covering an area of about 120 square kilometers, attracts more than 3 million tourists every year with its unique basalt geological wonders and well-preserved fishing village culture. The most famous attraction in the scenic area is the "Nine Dragons Out to Sea" basalt column group. These hexagonal stone columns, about 30–50 meters high, are neatly arranged on the headland. Geologists have confirmed that they were formed by volcanic eruptions about 18 million years ago. Whenever the tide rises, the roar of the sea hitting the rock columns can be heard for miles, which is called "Dragon's Roar" by the local fishermen. The scenic area management office has specially built a 2.3 km long coastal boardwalk, so that tourists can appreciate this geological wonder up close. Seven traditional fishing villages are scattered throughout Yu Bay, among which the ancient fishing village of Dongna, founded in the Ming Dynasty, is the most well-preserved. The village has 128 stone houses built on the mountainside, using the local unique volcanic rock masonry, which is warm in winter and cool in summer. Most of these houses have been converted into homestays, where tourists can experience the traditional "fishing" life. Every day at 5am, fishermen will lead tourists to participate in net harvesting, and the caught fish can be cooked directly in the village. Emerald Bay, in the southwest corner of the scenic area, has a 5 km long golden beach with fine, white sand and seawater visibility of more than 15 meters. A national diving training base has been built here, providing professional diving equipment and coaching services. It is especially worth mentioning that from April to May every year, tens of thousands of luminous jellyfish gather in the bay, forming a rare "luminous sea" spectacle. In order to protect the ecological environment, the scenic area implements a strict tourist limit system, with the daily reception volume controlled within 8,000 people. All tour areas are connected by electric sightseeing vehicles, and disposable tableware is completely prohibited in catering establishments. The scenic area management office has also set up a marine ecological monitoring station to regularly publish water quality reports and biodiversity data. In terms of transportation, it takes about 40 minutes to reach the scenic area by tourist bus from the nearest Dongna High-speed Railway Station. It is recommended that tourists arrange a 2–3 day trip, with the best time to visit being from September to April of the following year. The scenic area implements an online reservation system, and the ticket includes all shuttle services and basic explanations. Special experience programs require additional payment.