Just got back from Haiyan, here’s some blunt truth

Haiyan August Three-Day Adventure｜Salt Girl’s Escape Guide🧳 August in Haiyan is like a salted egg yolk kissed by the sun—hot but healing! As a hidden gem just 1 hour’s drive from Shanghai, it offers fewer crowds than Moganshan, cheaper sea views than Sanya, and tons of hidden food spots. Secretly, I got lost in Qiyuan three times but still thought it was totally worth it~ A coastal town hidden in the Yangtze River Delta, with a thousand-year-old ancient temple, salt field ruins, and artsy streets perfect for photos. The recent hotspot is the “Haiyan Summer” music festival (August 15-18), locals are all hyped! 📅 Three-Day Adventure Itinerary Day 1: Ancient Charm Walk 🌅 Morning: Qiyuan (the crown jewel of Jiangnan gardens! The rockeries and waterside pavilions are perfect for photos, and it’s free!) → Cultural Square (local morning exercise spot, soak in the everyday vibe) 🍜 Noon: Lao Shen Restaurant (must order the steamed whitewater fish, the fish is so tender chopsticks can’t hold it!) 🌆 Evening: Coastal Night Market (seafood BBQ stalls light up the night sky, highly recommend grilled oysters with beer) Day 2: Artsy Escape 🌞 Morning: Liuliyao Ruins Park (Han Dynasty salt field ruins, photos feel like time travel) → Haiyan Museum (free! Learn the history of “boiling sea water for salt”) 🍲 Noon: Zhu’s Kitchen (braised lamb noodles so good you’ll lick the bowl, certified by locals) 🌃 Evening: Qiyuan Commercial Street (take photos at the trendy “Salt Style” café, try the Haiyan latte) Day 3: Seaside Relaxation ☀️ Morning: Nanbei Lake Scenic Area (lake + mountain + sea in one frame, a paradise for hikers) → Yingke Peak Sunrise Platform (sunrise is breathtaking, bring a jacket!) 🦞 Noon: Seafood stall “Fisherman’s Joy” (steamed swimming crab so fatty it oozes oil) 🌌 Evening: Qian Family Ancestral Hall Night Tour (ancient architecture under the light show is stunning) Must-Visit Checklist Qiyuan: Free! The “Little Forbidden City” of Jiangnan gardens, the rockery maze can entertain you for half an hour. Lao Shen Restaurant: 60 RMB per person to eat your fill, whitewater fish is a must! Nanbei Lake: Forgot the ticket price… but cycling around the lake is super fun. Coastal Night Market: Opens after 6 PM, oysters 3 for 10 RMB! Liuliyao Ruins: Han Dynasty brick fragments you can pick up freely, full of history vibes. 🚌 Transportation Tips Day 1: Drive from Shanghai → Haiyan County Government → walk to Qiyuan → taxi to Cultural Square (15 RMB). Day 2: Bus K1 to Liuliyao → taxi to Museum (8 RMB) → walk to Commercial Street. Day 3: Rent a car for Nanbei Lake day tour (80 RMB per person, bargaining tip: say “the price I saw on Trip.com”). 💬 Real Feelings ✅ Comfortable: Prices so low it’s unbelievable! A milk tea costs 8 RMB, seafood sold by weight. ❌ Tough: August sun is so strong it can fry an egg, sunscreen is a must! Mosquitoes at Nanbei Lake are fierce… 🍴 Food Highlights Steamed Whitewater Fish: Fish meat as smooth as tofu, no soy sauce needed! Braised Lamb Noodles: Lamb so tender it falls off the bone, soup thick enough to coat the spoon. Grilled Oysters: Garlic sauce sweet and spicy, perfect with cold beer. Swimming Crab: Steamed with ginger vinegar, so much roe you can scoop it out. Haiyan Pastries: Local old brand “Salt Flavor Crisp,” a delight for sweet and savory lovers. 💰 Expense Summary Food & Drink: About 300 RMB for three days (seafood stalls around 50 RMB per person, snacks unlimited). Accommodation: 400 RMB for two nights (recommend “Haiyan Hotel,” a clean and affordable state-owned classic). Tickets: Mostly free, Qiyuan + Museum 0 RMB! 💸 Feeling: Half the cost of trips around Shanghai but double the experience! ⚠️ Tips Nanbei Lake electric cart 20 RMB per person, but hikers can save by walking! Get music festival tickets early on Trip.com, scalpers double the price! Is Haiyan worth a special trip? Some say it’s a niche paradise, others prefer Zhoushan… what do you think? 👇 Waiting for your comments! Share photos one lucky winner will get a “Salt Style” postcard~