Hai Lu Island, known as the ‘Fairy Mountain at Sea, Kingdom of Gulls and Egrets’, has been closed for landing since 2018. It is located 2 nautical miles from the mainland and stands tall and independent amidst the turbulent waves, a fairy island bird country that blends mythological legends with beautiful natural scenery. It is a paradise for life, where black-tailed gulls and yellow-billed egrets coexist and demonstrate the wonders of natural life.
A beautiful mythological story is circulated locally about the origin of Hai Lu Island. It is said that in ancient times, Er Lang Shen, under the order of the Jade Emperor, was carrying mountains to fill the sea to construct the Eastern Capital. All the birds were delighted and helped by carrying stones. One day, as Er Lang Shen was walking near Cheng Shan Head carrying two mountains, he suddenly heard the braying of a donkey from the East Sea and the crowing of a rooster from the West Sea. Startled, the carrying pole broke, and the two mountains he was carrying fell into the sea, turning into two islands – Hai Lu Island to the east and Ji Ming Island to the west. The broken carrying pole turned into two stone pillars, tens of meters high, one behind Ji Ming Island and the other behind Hai Lu Island. The gulls that followed Er Lang Shen to fill the sea with stones became the masters of the islands. They have thrived and multiplied year after year, creating the spectacle of hundreds of thousands of gulls and egrets darkening the sky. It is as if the immortals have vanished, leaving only the cries of the fairy birds. Hai Lu Island may not be large, but it holds endless fun within its small area. If you happen to visit when the sea fog is dense, you will see the sea and sky blending into a misty realm, with gulls and egrets crying out and appearing and disappearing in the misty rain, as if you are in a fairyland. Siberian seals come here for vacation every spring, and if you are lucky, you can spot groups of seals basking and resting on the rocks to the east of the carrying pole stone. The towering peaks and rugged rocks on the island provide a safe habitat for the gulls, and the abundant fish and shrimp in the surrounding waters provide food for the survival and growth of the young gulls. The suitable climate and pollution-free environment make Hai Lu Island the top choice for the breeding period of northern black-tailed gulls. It is also the birthplace of the film ‘Heaven’s Gift’, which took seven years to create and won the 28th Golden Rooster Award. The island is covered with hibiscus bushes, reeds, and wild jujube trees, with white birds and red flowers complementing each other. From across the sea, you can see the steep cliffs and clusters of flowers. Hai Lu Island has been shaped and eroded by the tireless waves of the sea for thousands of years, with towering peaks and rugged rocks, forming a unique island scenery together with the rising and falling tides, the endless waves, and the sprite-like gulls and egrets, which is so captivating that visitors are lost in thought and reluctant to leave! Note: Hai Lu Island scenic area is greatly affected by weather conditions. For specific daily sailing information, please call 0631-7834888/7834666. The area is open all year round from 07:30 to 18:00. The sailing rule is: ships depart on demand, departing every half hour when there are at least 10 adults.Hai Lu Island offers preferential policies for various groups: Children: Free entry for those under 1.2 meters in height; a half-price discount of 60 yuan per person for those between 1.2 meters (inclusive) and 1.4 meters (exclusive). Elderly: A half-price discount of 60 yuan per person for seniors aged 60 and above (with a senior citizen card or ID card). Military Personnel: A half-price discount of 60 yuan per person for active-duty military personnel (with a soldier’s ID, officer’s ID, military academy student ID, or military civilian cadre ID), revolutionary disabled soldiers (with a disabled soldier’s ID or disabled police ID), and fire rescue personnel (with valid documents). Disabled Persons: A half-price discount of 60 yuan per person with a disability certificate. Journalists: A half-price discount of 60 yuan per person with a press card issued by the State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television. Tour Guides: Tour guides with a guide ID receive a discount. Additional Information: The above information is for reference only; please refer to the on-site notices at the scenic spot for the most accurate details.
