More than half of the island's area (about 1.8 square kilometers; 450 acres) is covered by forest, predominantly consisting of black pine trees.

Naval training grounds are also located on the island, along with a museum documenting the history of the First Sino-Japanese War, and a memorial to the Beiyang Fleet.

During the reign of the Jiajing Emperor, a rebel force led by Xian Wang sought refuge on the island, but the rebellion was put down shortly thereafter.

Subsequently, a rise in shipping activities between the north and the south of China brought prosperity and an increase in population to the island.

During the First Sino-Japanese War, the Beiyang Fleet suffered a crushing defeat and in the spring of 1895, the island was occupied by Japanese forces.

In 1898, the United Kingdom bought the island (along with the rest of Weihaiwei) from the Japanese and agreed to hand it back to China after 25 years of use or when the Russians left nearby Port Arthur.

Residences, hospitals, churches, tea houses, a sport ground, a post office, and navy cemeteries were constructed as part of the British development of the area.

When the Russians left Port Arthur in 1905, the terms of the lease meant Britain should return the island to China.

The Chinese government allowed the Royal Navy to continue to use the naval base for another ten years under a lease.