Slowly explore Shandong: Island City of Tidal Waves | 6 Days, 5 Nights, Coastal Waves

Day 1 All-day gathering day in Qingdao, all over the country

All day

Tourists from all over the world will gather in Qingdao by plane or train and check into designated hotels. If you have more time, you can explore Qingdao on your own. We've also compiled a private Qingdao travel guide featuring delicious food, beautiful scenery, and interesting stories, allowing you to gain a deeper understanding of this legendary coastal city. Please be safe during your free time!

Today is the gathering day for the activity. Please go to Qingdao Hotel to gather and check in.

Recommended routes

Classic Qingdao

Route 1: Explore century-old buildings: Pier - Tianhou Temple - European Prison - Qingdao Post and Telecommunications Museum

Route 2: Visit the ancient church: Qingdao Post and Telecommunications Museum - (Yishui Road) - Jiangsu Road Christian Church - (Panshan Road) Signal Hill Park - Guest House

Route 3: Immerse yourself in the nightlife of Qingdao: Olympic Sailing Center, Lover's Dam, and May Fourth Square to experience the popular light show

Food in Qingdao

Check in at Pichaiyuan; Yunxiao Road Food Street + Minjiang 2nd Road Food Street; Taidong Pedestrian Street

Driving time: All day without car

Day 2 Qingdao City → Laoshan → Qingshan Fishing Village → Wheat Island → Qingdao City Hotel Accommodation

·morning

Today's fun trip to [Laoshan] is a must-visit place in Qingdao. Within the mundane world and away from the hustle and bustle, return to a Laoshan that returns to its original simplicity.

Depart at around 9:00 AM for Laoshan (a one-hour drive), a mountain over a thousand meters high on my country's coastline, known as the "Famous Mountain on the Sea." Along the way, admire Qingdao's golden coastline. After entering the mountain, visit the Laoshan Yangkou Scenic Area on the eastern line of Laoshan, where you can get close to nature and embrace the sea.

·afternoon

You need to have your own lunch on the way down the mountain, and then take a bus to Qingshan Fishing Village. This fishing village, which has a history of more than 600 years, has been included in the "Chinese Traditional Villages with Important Protection Value". It is Qingdao's version of the "Four Cinque Terre". Looking down from a high vantage point, you can see rows of red-tiled houses surrounded by green mountains and extending to the seaside. Strolling through it is like walking into a real fairy tale world, where the beauty of red roofs, yellow walls, and blue sea and sky is interpreted in an extremely romantic way.

After the tour, head to Wheat Island (a one-hour drive). Every frame of Wheat Island feels like a movie scene. The simple combination of grass, pine trees, and the ocean is captivating. Sit on the ground, let the sea breeze continue to blow, ripples appear on the surface, and gaze at the endless blue. Here, you'll encounter the romance of a sunset.

Another way:

Qingdao Underwater World: If you go to Qingdao in the off-season, it may be more interesting to go to Qingdao Underwater World, because Qingdao Underwater World is not only an amusement park, but also a rich underwater museum.

·night

After a day of sightseeing, return to your hotel in Qingdao, where you will have overnight accommodation, dinner at your own leisure, and the chance to enjoy Qingdao's night scene and stroll along the beach.

Driving time: about 1 hour

Day 3 Qingdao → Rushan Silver Beach → Chengshantou

All day

After breakfast at 8:00 AM, depart for Rushan Silver Beach (a 2.5-hour drive). Known as the "Hawaii of the East," Rushan Silver Beach is known for its pristine, silver-white sand (its coastline stretches 21.3 kilometers). Not only is the natural beauty of this place breathtaking, but the legends of the origin of its flawless white sand are even more captivating. Strolling along the fine, silky sand will instantly soothe fatigue, and the tranquility of a place far from the crowds feels like a pure haven.

·afternoon

We will have lunch here, taste Rushan seafood, and have a good rest and relax.

At 1:00 PM, we'll depart for Chengshantou (a 2.5-hour drive). Surrounded by the sea on three sides, Chengshantou offers a breathtaking view of vast expanses, towering cliffs, and rolling waves. Flocks of seagulls circle overhead! The vast, majestic ocean is breathtaking from every angle. Also known as the "Sound of Good Luck" and "Good Fortune Corner," this spot boasts a unique blend of good fortune and luck in the easternmost corner of China's coast. May everyone enjoy continuous good fortune in their lives!

Another way:

More recommendations

Chengshantou Sunrise: Known since ancient times as "the place where the sun rises," it was called "Chaowu" during the Spring and Autumn Period and is known as "China's Cape of Good Hope." This is China's geographically polar region, with an orientation of 65°11'93." Watching the sunrise from this location is a truly stunning spot.

Rongcheng Whooper Swan Nature Reserve: From mid-October to March each year, tens of thousands of whooper swans migrate here from Siberia to begin their long winter. This reserve attracts countless photographers and bird lovers every winter.

·night

Today's activities will end around 17:30, and we will check in and have dinner near the mountain scenic area.

Driving time: about 5 hours

Day 4 → Bruce Shipwreck → → Jiming Island → Naxiang Sea

·morning

Departing at 8:00 AM after breakfast, our first stop was the wreck of the Bluewayx. The Bluewayx, a Panamanian bulk carrier with the striking name "BLUEWAYS" emblazoned on its bow, ran aground in Weihai waters in September 2022, left to pound the hull, unable to ride the waves again. "Amidst the azure blue sky and azure sea, a massive ship stood quietly on the shore, surrounded by seagulls, a scene straight out of a movie." This is a truly cinematic experience, a fusion of reality and fantasy.

At 9:00, we took a bus to the Jiming Island Pier and transferred to a ferry, feeding the seagulls all the way.

The island is small, allowing for a two-hour walk to explore its entirety. Recommended stops include the wedding hall, the lonely castle, the island's unique reefs, and the ancient village. For those who prefer a more relaxed experience, sipping coffee while enjoying the ocean view at the cliffside café is quite relaxing. Alternatively, relax with a book at the cliffside book bar and immerse yourself in the slower pace of island life. The phrase "encounter the lonely castle and immerse yourself in the romance of the sea" captures the essence of this island.

·afternoon

We got off the island at 13:30 and took a 20-minute drive to Naxianghai Resort, where we arranged accommodation. The entire coastline here is very long, the beach is soft and comfortable, delicate and clean. Even if you lie here for an afternoon without thinking about anything, it is quite comfortable. At this moment, there is only happiness and freedom.

Enjoy dinner and arrange the rest of your time freely.

Recommended Tours

Diamond Beach (beautiful sunset, take a walk after dinner)

Watchman No. 2 (a coffee shop where you can sit and watch the sea)

Xianghai Forest Hot Spring (Experience Weihai hot spring bathing culture)

Naxianghai Adventure World (Ice and Snow Adventure Hall, Science and Technology Sports Hall, Amusement and Racing Hall, VR Experience, Outdoor Playground)

Weihai Naxianghai Water Club (wake wave, diving, coffee, beach, sunset, summer party, feel the waves, feel the sea breeze)

Driving time: about 1 hour

Day 5 Liugong Island → Sea Ring Road → Bathing Beach → Yantai

·morning

You can take a walk on the beach in the early morning and experience the beautiful blues moment.

After breakfast at 8:00, we'll head to the historic Liugong Island (a 50-minute drive). Not only is it home to the rare Sea Forest Park, but it's also steeped in countless historical legends. These all speak to the saying, "Liugong Island is more than just an island."

Lunch will be arranged with Weihai’s specialties (Weihai local delicacies such as seafood, mackerel dumplings, flower cakes, etc.) to experience the unique island flavor.

·afternoon

After a rest, check in at the Half Moon Bay Coastal Road Viewing Platform. The thousands of miles of mountains and seas in your heart are right here.

Heishuiyang Art Museum: Entering the Heishuiyang Art Museum offers an immersive experience. The paintings within the space and the oyster shells on the walls create a still-life-like visual experience.

Jiangguzui: cliffs, sea, fishing boats, bays, reefs, coast, all the beautiful seaside scenery you can imagine is here.

Cat's Head Mountain: Standing on the observation deck and looking out into the distance, you can see this giant cat lying in the sea, with its ears erect, its two front paws stretched into the sea, its back arched, and its eyes fixed on the front.

Hey, Sea! Park: The staggered and open design of the observation tower allows the viewing function to be infinitely expanded, and new pictures of the city, distant mountains and the sea are outlined.

All the way to the International Bathing Beach and Torch 8th Street, every house here has been carefully designed into a beautiful fairy tale cottage, with the walls painted in various bright colors, from light blue to light pink to orange, as if you are in a dream world. This road ends at the sea, and no matter it is the noisy chirping of cicadas or the falling snow, it always makes people amazed.

Finally, you will arrive at Xiaoshi Island. If you are lucky, you can indulge in the orange sea and watch the blush rising and dyeing the sky. Even the most restless mood will be gently soothed.

·night

After today's tour, we will take a bus to Yantai, where we will arrange accommodation and have a free dinner. You can also freely stroll around Yantai's night view and night market. Yantai is a lazy city, and the pace of life is extremely slow at night.

Driving time: about 2 hours

Chapter 6: Tianwencheng Castle → Penglai Pavilion → Penglai Disbanded

·morning

After breakfast at 8:30, we will set out for a coastal tour:

First stop: Wencheng Castle

It was built by Mr. Li Wencheng, a master of classical architecture, over a period of 10 years and at a cost of RMB 700 million. It covers an area of ​​more than 5,000 square meters and allows you to enjoy a visual feast while also experiencing extreme comfort, luxury and nobility.

Second stop: Penglai Pavilion

The Yellow Crane Tower, Yueyang Tower, Tengwang Pavilion, and Penglai Pavilion are known as China's "Four Great Towers." Climbing these towers offers panoramic views of the majestic mountains and beautiful waters. Thanks to its unique geographical location, the scenery here changes not only throughout the year but also within a single day.

·afternoon

Arrange to drop you off at 14:00, arrive at Penglai High-Speed ​​Railway Station around 14:20, and arrive at Penglai Airport around 15:00 (it is recommended to purchase a return ticket with a delay of at least 2 hours)

Driving time: about 2 hours

Qingdao is a nationally renowned historical and cultural city, the birthplace of Taoism in China, and the site of the May Fourth Movement. Jiaozhou Bay has served as a key port in northern China since the Tang and Song dynasties. Qingdao is the economic center of Shandong Province and the leading city in the core area of ​​the Shandong Peninsula Blue Economic Zone. It is a key national pioneer in the development of modern marine industries, an international shipping hub in Northeast Asia, and a base for maritime sports. It is a major node city along the Belt and Road Initiative's New Eurasian Continental Bridge Economic Corridor and a strategic fulcrum for maritime cooperation.

Weihai City is a regional central city on the Shandong Peninsula approved by the State Council, an important marine industrial base and a coastal tourist city. It is the birthplace of China's first modern navy, the Beiyang Navy, and the site of the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895. It was one of the "Seven Sons" that was occupied by foreign powers after the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895 and returned to the motherland.

Yantai, once part of the Lai Kingdom, boasts a rich history of maritime culture. During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, it became the starting point of the Eastern Maritime Silk Road. Since the early Tang Dynasty, it has been governed by the ancient Dengzhou Prefecture, the birthplace of the "Legend of the Eight Immortals" and the Quanzhen Sect. To prevent Japanese pirates from invading, the Ming Dynasty established a Qishan defense post and built the "Wolf Flame Tower," which gave Yantai its name.