Yantai
“A Fairyland on Earth“
Yantai is named the “Most Charming City” or “A Fairyland on Earth” in China. It is a historical commercial and coastal city flanked by both the Bohai and the Yellow Sea. Yantai boasts its 909km coastline and 63 islands. The population is 7.12 million.
Read more
The average temperature is 12°C (53.5°F). It is pleasant enough to attract large masses of seabirds to settle in. The city won the United Nation’s Habitat Scroll of Honor Award in 2005.
Yantai in Chinese means ‘smoke tower’. It is derived from watch towers built on hill tops in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) to signal invasion of Japanese pirates. Yantai’s city port is a strategic outpost to protect northern China.
In the mid-1800s, Yantai was forced do to international trade following China’s tragic defeat during the Opium War with Britain. This had plunged Yantai to the world market with plenty of foreign goods and influence from all over pouring into the city. It took Yantai a little time to adjust and the journey to be colonized and westernized began from an Anglo-French force in 1860. The Second Opium War of 1856-1860 officially forced Yantai to open its commerce to international market as a treaty port. Trade and trans-shipment businesses started to grow in the late 19th Century. But it was not until after 1984 when the city’s economy started to grow exponentially. During that time, Yantai was designated as one of 14 new open cities along China’s coastal line. A wide range of industries have been established, producing textiles, processed foods, machinery, construction equipment, electronics, instruments and meters, metallurgical products and auto parts. The best place to check on this is at Yantai Museum.
Heaven for foodies. Yantai produces – in Longkou area – China’s best cellophane noodles, a key ingredient in Chinese and Asian cuisines. The city has traditionally been the largest exporter of apples, pears, cherries and peanuts not to mention the sea-cucumbers, abalones, scallops, crabs and prawns, all easily available for any seafood connoisseur.
China’s first Aquarium. Known for the largest display of sharks, you can stroll along the seaside promenade that extends dozens of miles at dawn. It may also remind you, for a moment, of Sorrento, Italy.
Nanshan Golf Club has 6 world class 18-hole golf courses, where China PGA tournament is hold annually. Your holiday at Nanshan resort can start at Nanshan Botanical Garden. Grab a lunch date at their jockey club, wine tasting at the winery, and ending the day at a 5 star resort hot spring tub. The Nanshan Golf Club opens all-year round. It attracts many golfers from South Korea and Japan too.
50 km south of Yantai City, you will find the Kunyu National Forest and Taixu Temple. The Kunyu Mountain extends across Yantai and Weihai over 100 km.
Hiking paths are buried between trees, canyons, and waterfalls. Along the path, you will come across waterfalls above “clouds”, known as the “First Fairy Mountain on the Sea” with waterfalls at 100 m high (The Nine Dragon Fall). You will also see a cave where the Quanzhen school of Taoism was born. The Taixu Palace, home temple of Qianzhen school of Taoism was built in 1191. You will see a 35 m long by 3 m high wall which 365 Taoist statues inscribed onto. Stop by the Peach Village (Taoyuancun) to have a bite of the juicy peaches. Staying the night at a mountain bed & breakfast inn is not a bad choice either.
Yantai has 20 sister cities across Asia, Europe and North America, including San Diego and Omaha in the U.S. Yantai city is connected with scheduled flights to Seoul, Osaka, Hong Kong, as well as major cities in China. There are also high-speed trains running to Yantai from Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Nanjing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Zhuhai.
Below are some cannot miss places when visiting Yantai.
Top Attractions
Vineyards and Wines
Yantai’s coastal climate caters to growing grapes. Vineyard farming was introduced by early western settlers resulting in many wineries, chateau-style golf resorts and tourism growth. China’s first winery, the Changyu Winery was founded in Yantai in 1892.
The Gold Rush
Yantai has the largest gold deposit in China. The history of the local gold rush is elaborated in the Gold Exhibition at the ‘Rush to Gold’ Village in Zhaoyuan City, about 90 km west of downtown Yantai.
The Penglai Pavillion
Yantai commands great respect both locally and internationally as it represents Shandong. Just like the city of Dalian across the Bohai Sea, Yantai serves to protect naval routes to Beijing.
Nanshan (Southern Mountain) Buddha
At 38.66 meters high and weighing 660 tons, this is the tallest bronze Buddha statue in the world. The amazing story about it is the people who built it at the turn of the century. 30 years ago farmers from 20 villages bonded together to start manufacturing aluminum.
The Mou Family Mansion
Is the largest family estate in northern China. It was built around 1735. The living space is about 20,000 sm with 3 courtyard clusters. Each cluster has two tightly connected family units.
Plan Your Trip
Fill out this form and receive personalized suggestions on how to best plan your trip!
1-day Trip: Penglai Pavilion 蓬莱阁
Zhangyu Wine Factory 张裕酒厂
2-days Trip:
Day one: Penglai Pavilion 蓬莱阁
Penplai Water City张裕酒厂
Day two Kongtong Island Scienic Spot 崆峒岛
Mou Manor牟庄园
Mount Nan 南山
Fill out this form and receive personalized suggestions on how to best plan your trip!
山东省文化和旅游厅 Shandong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism
美国友康科技有限公司 U-Combination Technology (USA) Inc.
Authorized agency for Shandong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism in the U.S.
(山东省文化和旅游厅在美授权机构)
150 E Swedesford Rd, Suite 101,
Wayne, PA 19087
For help planning your visit, please contact us now:
E-Mail:
tours@travelshandong.