Bangchui Island

Bangchui Island

Bangchui Island is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

"Bangchui Island" is actually a small island shaped like a pestle, located between Dalian Bay and Tiger Beach Bay, about 0.39 kilometers from the mainland. It belongs to Zhongshan District of Dalian City. The island is named for its pestle-like shape. It is 410 meters long, 120 meters wide, covers a land area of 0.049 square kilometers, and has an elevation of 52.8 meters. The terrain is higher in the west and lower in the east, and there is a natural stone cave in the southern part. The stratum is from the Lower Sinian Nanfen Formation of the Sinian System, with inverted bedding. The rock is mainly quartzite and conglomerate. The island is covered with vegetation. To the north, it is surrounded by mountains, while to the south lies an open sea area and flat sandy beach. The eastern part of Bangchui Island features a 500-meter-long beach with white, soft sand and crystal-clear seawater, making it one of the best bathing beaches in Dalian. The nearby coastal waters are home to seafood treasures such as crabs, conches, and sea cucumbers, and many locals and tourists enjoy the experience of fishing here. In the distance, Sanshan Island (now developed into a seaside resort) is shrouded in mist, creating a mystical aura, and is said to represent three of the legendary immortal mountains among the "Three Mountains and Five Peaks." The surrounding hills are covered with lush pines and green trees, while the beach boasts shimmering waves and golden sands. This is a scenic destination dominated by landscapes of mountains, sea, islands, and beaches. There are no residents on the island. The opposite shore was originally a fishing village, and in 1959, the Dongshan Hotel was built, later renamed Bangchui Island Hotel in 1977. The hotel is nestled against the mountain and by the sea, featuring a tranquil environment, lush flowers and trees, and a clear bay beach. Eleven uniquely styled villas are connected together, making it a renowned summer retreat.

Many captivating legends are associated with this island, stirring the imagination. One tale tells of a golden pestle flower in the Heavenly Emperor’s back garden. This flower absorbed the essence of heaven and dew from the immortals, blooming once every five thousand years, bearing fruit after another five thousand, and only ripening after yet another five thousand. But one day, a gentle breeze blew the fruit down to Earth, where it transformed into a beautiful maiden known as the Pestle Fairy. She marveled at the beauty of the human world and joyfully sang: "White clouds pave the path with skill, celestial seeds take root on Earth. Having seen all the colors of the world, I find the mortal realm surpasses Heaven." Upon learning of this, the Heavenly Emperor forcefully brought the Pestle Fairy back to the heavens. With fond memories of the human world, the fairy cast her beloved hairpin from the sky, which landed in the sea and became the small island we see today. Hence, the name "Bangchui Island."

The Bangchui Island scenic area is a picturesque destination dominated by landscapes of mountains, sea, islands, and beaches. The renowned Bangchui Island State Guesthouse is located here, and our beloved Premier -, Chairman of the Standing Committee -, President -, Marshal -, as well as later leaders such as -, -, -, - and others have stayed here. The northern part of the scenic area is surrounded by mountains and lush pines and cypresses; the south features open sea areas and flat sandy beaches. About 600 meters from the shore lies a small island shaped like a ginseng root, commonly known as Bangchui Island. The island has steep cliffs, rugged rocks, and is covered with wildflowers and grasses.

The guesthouse covers an area of 87 hectares, with a construction area of 42,137 square meters. It offers modern leisure and recreational facilities such as a standard golf course, tennis courts, swimming pool, and bowling alley. Today, Bangchui Island Guesthouse greets guests from all over the world with a brand-new look.

The northern part of the scenic area is surrounded by mountains and lush pines and cypresses; the south features open sea areas and flat sandy beaches. In the distance, Sanshan Island is shrouded in mist, resembling Penglai. The island has steep cliffs, rugged rocks, and is covered with wildflowers and grasses. The Bangchui Island villa area was built during that time and consists of seven villas, each with a unique architectural style: Villas No. 1 and No. 7 combine traditional ethnic styles with Western elements, refined and elegant; Villas No. 2 and No. 6 are ship-shaped, giving the impression of standing on a ship’s deck when viewing the sea from the balcony; Villa No. 3 is designed in Japanese style, exuding elegance and a natural affinity; Villas No. 4 and No. 5 fully embody traditional Chinese characteristics, with grand roofs and glazed tiles. It is said that these seven villas were prepared for members of the Standing Committee of the Politburo. The tallest building, Villa No. 9, was built for Central Committee members attending meetings; Villa No. 8 serves as the hotel’s large international conference hall and banquet hall.