Dongying Travel Guide: Where the Yellow River Meets the Sea, Sun Wu's Hometown, and a Wonderful Early Autumn Journey
Preface
Dongying, where the Yellow River flows into the sea, Shengli Oilfield rises here, the military saint Sun Wu is born here, the beautiful wetlands are nurtured here, and the red culture is deposited here... All these thousands of things are part of your colorful self.
The confluence of the Yellow River and the sea has created three world-class tourist resources: the confluence of rivers and seas, new wetlands, and wild birds. Dongying is a city that possesses such wonders.
Dongying is the birthplace of the military sage Sun Wu, the origin of Lü Opera, the place where the earliest Chinese translation of "The Communist Manifesto" is preserved in the country, and it is also the location of Shengli Oilfield, the second largest oilfield in China. It is also China's hot spring city.
Speaking of which, Dongying is also the richest city in Shandong. Due to its vast area and sparse population, its per capita GDP far exceeds that of Qingdao, Yantai, Jinan and other cities.
Yellow River Estuary Tour
Go to the Yellow River Estuary Ecological Tourism Area and take a cruise from the Yellow River Pier under the Yuanwang Tower. It will take about half an hour to sail along the water through the estuary and watch the spectacle of the Yellow Dragon entering the sea. The round trip time is about 90 minutes.
However, not everyone can witness this spectacular sight; it requires the right time, location, and people. If the Yellow River's water level is too low, or if the riverbed on either side of the barrier is silted up, boats can only admire the vast expanse of the river within the mouth of the gate before returning. Therefore, whether you can truly witness the grand spectacle of the river meeting the sea depends on luck.
To see the vastness where the river meets the sea, you only need to take a cruise ship and pass through the estuary to reach the place where Bohai Bay and Laizhou Bay meet. What will come into your view will be a magnificent panorama, like a giant dragon soaring into the abyss, breathtaking.
Yellow River Estuary Wetland Boat Tour
The Yellow River Estuary Wetland Park has a 5.1-kilometer waterway trail. The main waterway is in the shape of an "8", with a pier at each end and a transfer pier in the middle. Visitors can choose to tour half or the entire route.
Take a wetland cruise through the reed marshes, appreciate the reed maze, the secluded trestle bridge, the flying birds, the cranes camping under the willow trees, and truly experience the artistic conception of "the boat sails on the blue waves, and people swim in a painting".
"A lone smoke rises straight in the desert, the setting sun is round in the long river" describes the grand spectacle of the sunset over the Yellow River, while the sunset at the mouth of the Yellow River in Dongying is more tender.
At dusk, standing at the dock, I can see the shimmering water beneath the bridge, a few wild ducks occasionally swimming by the riverbank, and the distant view reveals a rare tranquility. The setting sun gradually turns red and soft, and the colorful clouds in the sky dye the river red, the riverbank red, the long embankment red, and everything in sight red.
Watching the release of wild geese
Three of the world's nine major bird migration routes pass through my country, two of which pass through Dongying. Every winter and spring, millions of migratory birds pass by the Yellow River estuary, resting and foraging there, creating a magnificent spectacle.
Over six million birds pass through the Yellow River estuary each year. It's a crucial stopover and wintering ground for birds migrating from inland Northeast Asia and the Pacific Rim. It's a bird "international airport" and a transit point. Most of the birds that pass through the estuary are migratory birds that make their endless spring-to-autumn journey.
The red-crowned crane originally appeared in the Yellow River estuary as a migratory winter bird. Later, due to the suitable climate here, it gradually overwintered and reproduced here, and its population has grown.
Relevant data shows that the number of red-crowned cranes in the Yellow River estuary area has increased from about 70 when the nature reserve was first established to more than 350. The Yellow River estuary has become the northernmost boundary for red-crowned cranes to overwinter in my country.
At the mouth of the Yellow River, there are wild goose release performances in the morning and afternoon, and you can also interact with and feed the red-crowned cranes. Guided by the staff's whistle, the cranes fly freely and form beautiful formations, which is a very impressive sight.
Wonderful Cultural Museum Tour
Bird Museum
The Yellow River Delta Bird Museum in the Yellow River Estuary Scenic Area in Dongying is the largest wild bird museum in China. It is not only open to the public free of charge, but also integrates collection, display, publicity, education, scientific research, and leisure.
With the theme of "protecting rare birds and jointly building ecological civilization", it is divided into four major theme exhibition halls: "The Great River's Silent Soil - Symbiosis Hall", "Migratory Bird Station - Resonance Hall", "Exploring the Bird Kingdom - Appreciation Hall" and "Bird Paradise - Sharing Hall", displaying more than 1,400 specimens including rare wild bird specimens.
In the museum's Bird Kingdom Exploration Hall, you can see birds and modern reptiles on the same branches, perhaps sharing a common ancestor—an ancient reptile. Three major hypotheses about the origin of birds—theropod dinosaur origin hypothesis, thecodont origin hypothesis, and the crocodile sister group hypothesis—have been gradually explored and confirmed, and the academic community now generally agrees that birds evolved from dinosaurs. So, after visiting here, do you also feel that this world is truly compact and wonderful...
Entering the Bird Paradise Hall of the museum, visitors are greeted by a giant dodo. This flightless bird was native to the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius. Due to human activities, it became completely extinct within 200 years of its discovery.
The dodo's extinction stems from humanity's increasingly negative impact on Earth's ecology. A bird museum, with a total exhibition area of approximately 3,000 square meters, offers more than just bird species; it also provides guidance and advice to visitors. We all play a vital role in maintaining a healthy and balanced ecosystem.
Yellow River Culture Museum
The Yellow River Cultural Center is located west of the intersection of Nan Er Road and Dong San Road in Dongying City. The magnificent four-story building faces south and sits north. Upon entering the center, a monumental landscape painting titled "The Yellow River Flows from the Snow-capped Mountains" hangs from the fourth floor to the first. The themes of the exhibitions on the second, third, and fourth floors are respectively "The Yellow River Flows from Heaven," "The Ten Thousand Miles of the Yellow River Nurture China," and "The Yellow River Flows into the Sea." The Yellow River originates from the snow-capped mountains, flows through the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, deserts, Gobi Deserts, and grasslands, and then across the Central Plains to the sea.
The first floor of the Yellow River Culture Museum is for temporary exhibitions, special exhibitions and a library; the second to fourth floors are the main exhibition halls, with the theme of "The Great River Flows", divided into two major sections: "Mother River of China" and "Charming Yellow River Estuary".
The charm of the Yellow River blends with the story of Dongying, allowing history and the past to connect the land of China. From ancient times to the present, the Chinese people in the Yellow River basin have made unyielding efforts for thousands of years, just like the Yellow River has gone through twists and turns, creating a miracle of civilization and human progress.
Sun Tzu Cultural Park
Established as a county during the Qin Dynasty, Guangrao, formerly known as Le'an, Qiancheng, Langhuai, and Juding, boasts a rich history and splendid culture. The Sun Tzu Cultural Park in Guangrao blends nature and humanity, allowing for a collision of history and modernity, offering a perfect setting for both study and leisure.
Relying on Sun Tzu culture and aiming to promote the culture of the military saint, there are six areas for visitors to enjoy, including the Military Saint Palace, weapons display area, water combat area, siege interpretation area, speed experience area, and children's play area.
A must-visit venue to learn about Sun Tzu's culture and get closer to the legend of Sun Wu
The Weapons Museum, a Heritage of Martial Arts
The Weapons Museum, covering 5,210 square meters, showcases various weapons used by different military branches during different periods of ancient history. Using modern techniques, it recreates the manufacturing process, offering visitors an interactive and entertaining experience that provides a visual display of the evolution of ancient weaponry. The Weapons Museum is also the first stop on the Sun Tzu Cultural Park tour.
Military Saint Palace
The Military Saint Palace is the highlight of the entire Sun Tzu Cultural Park. Standing in the square in front of the palace is the large dynamic sculpture "The Legend of Sun Wu." Sun Wu's life was legendary, and the Battle of Baiju during the Thousand-Mile Raid on Chu was the pinnacle of his life. The sculpture is based on this battle.
The statue of Sun Wu is the center, surrounded by the ancient Le'an city wall and the outer perimeter is surrounded by a water-spouting white tiger designed in imitation of the Han Dynasty "Winged Tiger", the treasure of the Dongying History Museum.
Here you can experience a dome theater that will make you scream.
The 7D Flying Dome Theater at the Military Saint Palace features a massive hemispherical screen and cleverly suspended seating. Combined with breathtaking cinematic visuals, it offers an unprecedented soaring experience. Each show accommodates up to 92 guests. The theater, suspended in mid-air, immerses you in the spherical screen, soaring through the air and traversing the canyon, offering an immersive and superb sensory experience.
XD Cinema
The virtual roller coaster experience involves riding in dynamic seats and wearing 3D glasses to watch a 3D roller coaster-themed film. Traveling between a 3D virtual landscape composed of real-life interiors and screen images, you'll truly experience the weightlessness and gravity of a roller coaster on the undulating and rotating track. The crisp, screen-shattering film, combined with live special effects like wind, lightning, and water spray, offers a thrilling indoor roller coaster experience.
Tips:
Tickets:
[Peak Season] 180 yuan/person, 140 yuan/person (with valid teacher ID or student ID)
[Off-season] 140 yuan/person, 110 yuan/person (with valid teacher ID or student ID)
Park Transportation:
Battery car: 10 yuan per person (free for children under 1.2 meters);
The park train costs 20 yuan per person
Red Culture Special Tour
Red Liuji Tourist Area
Liuji is located in the southeast of Dawang Town, Guangrao County, Dongying City. It houses the Liuji Branch of the Communist Party of China Memorial Hall, the "Communist Manifesto" Memorial Hall, etc. It is a well-known red education base and is now a national 4A-level scenic spot.
The Communist Manifesto Memorial Hall is located in Liuji Houcun, not far from the Liuji Branch Memorial Hall of the Communist Party of China. It was completed and put into use in April 2012. It has a construction area of 2,800 square meters and is the first memorial hall in my country with the theme of "The Communist Manifesto".
The exhibition hall is divided into six parts: Red Ghost, Awakening of the Lion, Wind Rising in Northern Shandong, Glorious Years, Blood and Loyalty, and Eternal Glory. It comprehensively displays the process of the first Chinese translation of "The Communist Manifesto" being published, disseminated, and guiding the Chinese revolution, as well as the revolutionary spirit of the Liuji people who, under the leadership of the "Manifesto", unyieldingly devoted themselves to the revolutionary struggle and actively started businesses in the new era.
Educated Youth Town
The Yellow River Mouth Educated Youth Town is located at the site of the former Third Factory of the Yellow River Farm in Dongying City.
Utilizing the remaining buildings of the original farm, with the Yellow River as the main line and the Yellow River educated youth as the theme, we will create a permanent venue for the "Red Education Base", "Youth Social Practice Base", "Artist Sketching and Creation Base" and "Farmers' Harvest Festival".
There are many options for tourists to choose from, such as the Educated Youth Nostalgic B&B, the Yellow River Educated Youth Museum, the Educated Youth Memorial Wall, the Painter Village, the Hot Spring Resort, the RV Camp and the Holiday Tourist Service Center.
Seaside and field leisure trip
Kenli Rice Field Painting
There are more than 240 acres of huge rice field paintings in Kenli District, Dongying, which are now in their best viewing period. The themes of this year's paintings are "I Love My Motherland" and "The Yellow River Flows into the Sea and We Go Home", as a tribute to the 70th anniversary of the founding of New China.
The "I Love My Motherland" painting, featuring eight different colors of rice, covers an area of approximately 94 mu (approximately 1,000 acres). The painting features Chinese elements such as Tiananmen Square, the Great Wall, the five-star red flag, and a peace dove. A red flag flutters in the wind above Tiananmen Square, while the Great Wall recedes into the distance, a majestic spectacle. Against the green background, a magnificent landscape of mountains and rivers is depicted. The words "70 I Love My Motherland" appear below the painting, expressing the Chinese people's best wishes for the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.
It is reported that the production of rice field paintings first requires drawing and marking according to the design drawings, then enlarging the designed pattern in the rice field at the same scale, and using GPS to locate the poles, pull the strings, and draw the outlines. After the marking is completed, the staff will carry out the tedious work of transplanting rice seedlings.
To achieve the perfect final effect, even though mechanical transplanting is now commonplace, staff still need to manually plant the rice seedlings one by one, and the scenic area needs to assign a dedicated person to supervise the work. While the staff are planting, a dedicated person will plan the color of the rice seedlings at each location. After the transplanting is completed, the prototype of the rice field painting is revealed. However, to achieve the final effect, staff need to make corrections and supervise the work in real time.
The Yong'an Town Rice Field Painting Landscape Project is located within the Bohai Granary Project area, west of the former seven villages and east of the twenty-eighth village. The best viewing period for the rice field paintings is from July to October, when the rice is harvested along with the paintings.
Red Beach Wetland
The mouth of the Yellow River in Dongxing has a unique muddy beach, which is very suitable for the growth of crabs, fish, shrimps, and various shellfish. If you have time, coming here to catch seafood is a great weekend experience.
After the tide recedes, the beach becomes longer, almost a kilometer long, to reach the best spot for catching seafood, so these somewhat bizarre vehicles come in handy. In addition, there are open-top tractors that ferry people there, making a humming sound that is quite cool.
Barefoot, walking on the beach, whether it is clams or small crabs, it no longer matters how much you catch. What matters is the time when the whole family can play together, which is the most precious.
Practical Guide
Best time to travel
The best time to travel to Dongying is summer and autumn.
Summer travel allows you to enjoy Dongying's coastal charm and explore other scenic spots without any weather-related obstacles. Dongying's autumn weather is cooler, and the ocean offers abundant fish, shrimp, and crab, offering a delicious feast. Early autumn also offers plenty of opportunities for enjoying the sea.
About Transportation
Railways: Dongying City has the Zibo-Dongcheng Line, Huangda Railway, and Deda Railway. Train stations include Dongying Station, Dongying South Station, Shikou Station, and Lijin Station.
By plane: Dongying Shengli Airport is located 13 kilometers northeast of Dongying's city center. Flights to Beijing, Shanghai, Dalian, and Chongqing are available. There are no shuttle buses from the airport, so taxis are available for about 35 yuan.
About Food
Dongying cuisine has a wide range of ingredients and a flavor that combines characteristics from all over the world.
hairy crabs
When you go to Dongying in autumn and winter, the most unmissable delicacy is the Yellow River Estuary hairy crab. Its meat is delicious, nutritious, and fat with yellow roe. Although it is not as famous as Yangcheng Lake, it is cost-effective.
Shikou Roast Chicken
Produced in Shikou Town, Dongying District, Dongying City, it is one of the specialties of the Yellow River Estuary area and one of the more outstanding local traditional chicken dishes.
seafood
Dongying is located at the mouth of the Yellow River. The Yellow River knife fish and the prawns produced in the Bohai Bay are both high-quality seafood, and the various ways they are prepared are mouth-watering.
