Beautiful hot springs and nature, but come prepared!
We stayed in a luxury cabin in the Donghai Hot Spring Resort. Overall, we had a nice experience, but there are a few important things international travelers should know.
The Positives:
Hot Springs & Nature: The hot springs were wonderful and very relaxing. The nature surrounding the resort is beautiful and peaceful.
Great BBQ: We really enjoyed the barbecue area and even grilled some delicious shashlik (skewers) there.
Helpful Staff: The girls at the reception were very kind. They helped us book a taxi to Donghai Railway Station for 100 RMB. Upon check-out, they also gave us a lovely Lianyungang souvenir magnet, which was a very sweet touch.
Things to Consider:
Room Outlets: There are no European-style power outlets in the cabins. We asked the reception for an adapter, but they didn’t have any. Luckily, we had our own power banks, otherwise we wouldn't have been able to charge our devices. Bring your own Chinese plug adapter! There is a possibility to rent a power bank in main building though for 5 RMB/hour.
Breakfast: The breakfast is purely Chinese style. Do not expect Western options. We had noodles, seaweed, eggs, fruit, and Coca-Cola. It was fine for us, but good to keep in mind.
Location: The resort is quite isolated. If you do not have a car, it is very difficult to leave the property or get around on your own.
We enjoyed the hot springs and the peaceful vibe, but the resort could improve by providing international adapters for foreign guests.