Fujiazhuang, a favorite beach of the locals for its 550-meter-long stretch of golden sand, was crowded with swimmers and tents that same day. Some foreign visitors were also enjoying themselves playing beach volleyball.

But at Jinshitan, about 16 kilometers northeast of the Xingang port, where the accident happened, the oil slick has washed ashore. Cleaners were trying to catch the oil with straw mattresses.

A worker burns oil on a rock as part of cleanup efforts.

"The oil slick was brought here by the wind. We have to rely on manual work to clear it away. These straw mattresses are very useful tools," said the manager at Jinshi Bathing Beach surnamed Sun.

Sun said the number of visitors have significantly dropped since the accident, but that he expects people to come back very soon because the cleaning is "almost done."

Nobody was swimming, but some visitors who waded in the seawater later found their feet and legs smeared with oil stains.

The beach managing team provided a free cleansing service with degreaser for visitors. About 10 people were queuing for cleansing.

Although Dalian area residents are distraught over the oil spill, they have found a measure of unity as they work together for the sake of their treasured beaches.

"We all need to do something," said Li Jie, fresh from her dramatic haircut. "My hair can grow long again, but the pollution won't wait."

By Zhang Xiaomin and Li Jing