Explore Yantai

Explore Yantai

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🌊 **Itinerary Overview**
**Theme**: Mountain and Sea Wonderland · Cultural Cuisine · Island Vacation
**Accommodation Recommendations**:
- **City Convenience**: Near Wanda Plaza in Zhifu District (close to Suochengli, 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)

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📅 **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): Climb the lighthouse (¥10) for panoramic views of the mountain, sea, and city; visit the Bing Xin Memorial Hall and consulate buildings.
- **Chaoyang Street** (free): Retro Western-style building district, check in at "Zhongshuge" bookstore, enjoy red wine-themed coffee.
- **Evening**: **Suochengli Old Street** (free): 600-year-old alley, super romantic when lanterns light up; dinner at **Dongmenli Flounder Dumplings** (intangible cultural heritage cuisine).

**Day 2: Coastal Arts & Seafood Feast**
- **Morning**:
- **Fisherman’s Wharf** (free): Take photos of the "sea railway" like in Spirited Away (best at high tide), visit the **Whale Shark Pavilion** (see 10-meter whale sharks swimming).
- **Poppy Square** (free): 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 Small Fishing Village (Ermalu Branch)**: must-try sea intestine rice, swan eggs, flounder dumplings.

**Day 3: A Day in Penglai Wonderland**
- **Full day by car/self-drive** (City → Penglai, 1.5-hour drive):
- **Penglai Pavilion** (¥120): Climb one of China’s four famous towers, trace the Eight Immortals’ footsteps, experience the **Cross-Sea Cable Car** to see the Yellow and Bohai Sea boundary line.
- **Sanshan Scenic Area** (¥120): Hanfu photo paradise, pavilions and terraces like a fairyland.
- **Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea Scenic Area** (¥80): Sea garden shaped like a treasure gourd, faster to tour by speedboat.
- **Dinner**: **Jingxiang Seafood Restaurant** (Penglai): oil-splashed bird shell, fried shrimp, great value.
- **Accommodation**: Overnight at **Huazhu·Penglai Courtyard**, soak in hot springs and stargaze.

**Day 4: Changdao Exploration (Stay Overnight on the Island)**
- **Morning**: Take a ferry from Penglai Pier to **Changdao** (45 minutes, ID required), check in at a fishermen’s guesthouse (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 sausage), watch thousands of birds circling.
- **Evening**: Fishermen’s guesthouse **“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 bike to circle the island (¥30/hour).
- **Zhang Island**: Walk into the "Eye of the Sea" cave at low tide.
- **Island Diary Cafe**: Drink iced coffee facing the glassy sea.
- **Afternoon**: **Qinfeng Cliff**: Watch the sunset + white church ruins, shoot cinematic photos.
- **Dinner**: Island seafood stall, recommended **steamed swimming 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 rhododendrons (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**: **Xinweifu Road**: Artsy district with vintage shops, dinner at **Xiao Ziwei Restaurant** for seafood steamed buns.

**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** for specialty shopping: dried apples, Changyu red wine, dried seafood.
- **Lunch**: **Yikuai Tofu Seafood Restaurant**: Jiaodong sea urchin fish ball soup + mom’s mixed vegetables.
- **Afternoon**: Return according to flight/train schedule.

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🍽️ **Food Highlights**
| **Category** | **Must-Try** | **Recommended Shops** |
|----------------|----------------------------------|----------------------------------|
| **Seafood** | Sea intestine rice, steamed swimming crab | Mong Kok Small Fishing Village, Little Red Whale Seafood Flavor |
| **Special Snacks** | Penglai noodles, Fushan big noodles, Yantai steamed buns | 8 Fresh Penglai Noodles, Fushan Big Noodle House |
| **Trending Experiences** | Penglai Pavilion cultural ice cream, blueberry picking | Jingxi Manor (opens in May) |

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💡 **Key Tips**
1. **Transportation**:
- Rent electric bikes in the city (¥50/day) > taxis > buses (use Alipay to get "Yantai Citizen Card").
- For Changdao and Yangma Island, car hire (¥400/day) or self-driving recommended.
2. **Avoid Scams**:
- Confirm prices before ordering at seafood stalls, request "drain water" when weighing; avoid Yangma Island on rainy days (slippery rocks).
3. **Gear**:
- Sunscreen + sun hat (strong UV), hole shoes (for tide pooling), light jacket (big temperature difference by the sea in mornings and evenings).
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 and the glass sea of Yangma Island intertwine, immersive fishermen’s guesthouse 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!