Explore Yantai

--- 🌊 **Itinerary Overview** **Theme**: Mountain and Sea Wonderland · Cultural Cuisine · Island Vacation **Accommodation Recommendations**: - **City Convenience**: Near Wanda Plaza in Zhifu District (close to Suochengli and Yantai Hill), recommended **Yantai Baina Ruiting Hotel** (sea view room, approx. ¥300/person/night) - **Penglai Specialty**: **Huazhu·Penglai Courtyard** (wabi-sabi style guesthouse, walking distance to Penglai Pavilion, open-air sea-view hot springs) - **Yangma Island Experience**: Island sea view guesthouse (recommended “Island Diary” series, approx. ¥200/person/night) --- 📅 **Daily Itinerary** **Day 1: Arrive in Yantai, Stroll the Old Town** - **Morning**: Arrive at Yantai Penglai International Airport, take the airport shuttle bus to the city (about 1 hour), check in at a hotel in Zhifu District. - **Afternoon**: - **Yantai Hill Scenic Area** (free entry): Climb the lighthouse (¥10) for panoramic views of the mountain, sea, and city; visit the Bing Xin Memorial Hall and the consulate buildings. - **Chaoyang Street** (free entry): Retro Western-style building district, check in at “Zhongshuge” bookstore, enjoy red wine-themed coffee. - **Evening**: **Suochengli Old Street** (free entry): 600-year-old alley, super romantic when lanterns light up; dinner at **Dongmenli Hairtail Dumplings** (intangible cultural heritage cuisine). **Day 2: Coastal Arts Route & Seafood Feast** - **Morning**: - **Fisherman’s Wharf** (free entry): Take photos of the “sea railway” like in Spirited Away (best at high tide), visit the **Whale Shark Pavilion** (watch 10-meter whale sharks swim). - **Poppy Square** (free entry): Summer flower sea photo spot, walk to **Yudai Mountain Hot Springs** for a Japanese-style private bath (relax and relieve fatigue). - **Afternoon**: Afternoon tea at cafes along **Haichang Fisherman’s Wharf**, recommended **Water Tower Riverside Cafe** (oil painting river view + camping vibe). - **Evening**: Seafood feast! Recommended **Mong Kok Little Fishing Village (Ermalu Branch)**: must-try sea intestine rice, swan eggs, hairtail fish dumplings. **Day 3: A Day in the Fairyland of Penglai** - **Full day charter/self-drive** (City → Penglai, 1.5-hour drive): - **Penglai Pavilion** (¥120): Climb one of China’s four famous towers, trace the Eight Immortals, experience the **Cross-Sea Cableway** to see the boundary between the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea. - **Sanshan Mountain Scenic Area** (¥120): Hanfu photo paradise, pavilions and towers like a fairyland. - **Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea Scenic Area** (¥80): Sea garden shaped like a treasure gourd, speedboat tour saves effort. - **Dinner**: **Jingxiang Seafood Restaurant** (Penglai): oil-splashed bird clams, fried shrimp, great value. - **Accommodation**: Stay overnight at **Huazhu·Penglai Courtyard**, soak in hot springs and stargaze. **Day 4: Changdao Exploration (Overnight on the Island)** - **Morning**: Take a ferry from Penglai Pier to **Changdao** (45 minutes, ID required), check in at a fishermen’s homestay (including three meals, approx. ¥200/person). - **Afternoon**: - **Crescent Bay**: Collect glass-like pebbles (do not take away), swim and splash in the waves. - **Wan Bird Island**: Take a boat to feed seagulls (hold out sausages), watch thousands of birds circling. - **Evening**: Fishermen’s homestay **“Full Sea Banquet”**: steamed sea urchin egg custard, scallion-braised sea cucumber, scallop dumplings. **Day 5: Jelly Sea Cycling on Yangma Island** - **Morning**: Return to Penglai, drive to **Yangma Island** (1-hour drive), rent an electric scooter to circle the island (¥30/hour). - **Zhang Island**: Walk into the “Eye of the Sea” cave at low tide. - **Island Diary Cafe**: Enjoy iced coffee facing the glassy sea. - **Afternoon**: **Qinfeng Cliff**: Watch the sunset + white church ruins, shoot cinematic photos. - **Dinner**: Island seafood stall, recommended **steamed mitten crab** + **sea urchin sashimi**. **Day 6: Kunyu Mountain Oxygen Boost + Artsy Leisure** - **Morning**: **Kunyu Mountain National Forest Park** (¥60): Hike the **Taibo Peak route** to see wild azaleas (best in April), drink fresh mountain spring water at **Jiulong Pool Waterfall**. - **Afternoon**: **Yantai Botanical Garden** (free): Monet-like rose garden sea + Miyazaki grass lawn, camping and picnic. - **Evening**: **Xinwei Fulu Road**: Artsy street with vintage shops, dinner at **Xiao Ziwei Restaurant** for seafood steamed cakes. **Day 7: Free Shopping + Departure** - **Morning**: - **Changyu Wine Culture Museum** (¥80): DIY red wine bottling, explore century-old oak barrels in the underground cellar. - **Wanda Plaza**: Buy local specialties: dried apples, Changyu red wine, dried seafood. - **Lunch**: **Yikuai Doufu Seafood Restaurant**: Jiaodong sea urchin fish ball soup + mom’s mixed vegetables. - **Afternoon**: Return according to flight/train schedule. --- 🍽️ **Food Highlights** | **Category** | **Must-Try** | **Recommended Shops** | |----------------|----------------------------------|----------------------------------| | **Seafood** | Sea intestine rice, steamed mitten crab | Mong Kok Little Fishing Village, Little Red Whale Seafood Flavor | | **Special Snacks** | Penglai noodles, Fushan big noodles, Yantai steamed cakes | 8 Xian Penglai Noodles, Fushan Big Noodle Restaurant | | **Trending Experiences** | Penglai Pavilion cultural ice cream, blueberry picking | Jingxi Manor (open in May) | --- 💡 **Key Tips** 1. **Transportation**: - Rent electric scooters in the city (¥50/day) > taxis > buses (get “Yantai Citizen Card” on Alipay). - For Changdao and Yangma Island, charter a car (¥400/day) or rent a car for self-driving. 2. **Avoid Pitfalls**: - Confirm prices before ordering at seafood stalls, ask for “drain water” when weighing; avoid Yangma Island on rainy days (slippery rocks). 3. **Gear**: - Sunscreen + sun hat (strong UV), hole shoes (for beachcombing), light jacket (big temperature difference by the sea morning and night). 4. **Discounts**: - Collect Eight Immortals stamps at Penglai Pavilion to redeem free oysters or movie tickets (summer event). > **Trip Highlights**: The fairy aura of Penglai Pavilion intertwined with the glass sea of Yangma Island, immersive fishermen’s homestay experience on Changdao, total budget about ¥3000/person (including mid-range accommodation and meals). **Book rooms and ferry tickets 2 weeks in advance** to avoid weekend crowds for a more comfortable trip!