Dragon Boat Festival Escape｜Yantai: Romance at 37°N Amid Golden Beaches and Wine Aromas

🌞【Weather & Outfit】

The 2025 Dragon Boat Festival (June 10-12) will see temperatures of 18-28°C, mostly cloudy with occasional short showers.
✅ Outfit tips: Breathable linen shirts + lightweight pants (cool mornings/evenings), non-slip water shoes (rocky shores), sun hat + UV sleeves (strong sunlight).
✅ Essentials: ID (required for attractions like Penglai Pavilion), power bank (long coastline drains battery), foldable raincoat (sudden showers).

🚗【Transport Guide】

✈️ External Transport

- Flights: Yantai Penglai International Airport is 45km from downtown. Airport buses go to Zhifu District (¥20/person, 1hr); taxis cost ~¥120. Direct flights from Beijing/Shanghai take ~2hrs; book 15 days early for round-trip fares as low as ¥500.
- High-speed rail: Yantai Station (downtown) and Yantai South Station (Laishan District) connect nationwide. Opt for Yantai Station (closer to attractions): Beijing South → Yantai (5.5hrs), Qingdao → Yantai (1.5hrs, ¥59).

🚗 Local Transport

- Bus: Use Alipay’s "Yantai Citizen Card" (¥1-2/ride). Take coastal Bus 17 (Yantai Mountain → Yangma Island, ¥2).
- Taxi: Downtown rides under ¥30; ¥50 to Yangma Island (40min). Penglai Pavilion is 70km away (¥150 by taxi/¥200 for day charter).
- Car rental: Compact cars ~¥150/day. Free parking at Yangma Island/Penglai Pavilion; downtown spots are limited (try MixC/Intime mall garages).

🏨【Hotels】

🌆 Downtown (Zhifu District)

- Yantai Mountain Banyan Tree: Converted century-old consulate, 3min walk to lighthouse, sea-view rooms for sunsets, ~¥1000/person/night.
- Suochengli B&Bs (e.g., "Yantai Mountain Homestay"): Traditional Jiaodong-style houses, family rooms with seafood congee breakfast, ~¥400/person/night.

🏝️ Islands (Yangma Island/Penglai)

- Yangma Island Diary Homestay: Seaside village courtyard with free tide-pooling tools, ~¥600/person/night.
- Penglai O’Kart Knight Resort: Castle-themed family rooms include amusement park tickets, ~¥800/person/night (kid-friendly).

🌟【Must-Visit Spots】

🗼 Yantai Mountain Scenic Area (Free)

- Morning:
⛪ Consulate Row: Seven nations’ historic buildings, ivy-covered walls (enter via Chaoyang Street).
🌊 Lighthouse: ¥10 to climb for bay views + Yellow-Bohai Sea boundary (best visibility on clear days).
- Afternoon:
🚢 Kongtong Island Cruise: ¥50 round-trip (30min), hike coastal trails, spot wild seals (May-June).
🍺 Changyu Wine Museum: Asia’s oldest winery, taste award-winning brandy (¥80 ticket includes 2 glasses), photograph cellar domes.

🏖️ Yangma Island (Free)

- Full-day loop (clockwise):
🐎 Tianma Square: Iconic sculpture + panoramic sea shots.
📸 Back Sea “Heart Hole”: Shoot at low tide (check tides: ~10:00/22:00 during festival).
🌊 Zhang Island Beach: Finest sand, jet skis (¥80/10min), banana boats (¥50/person).
🍴 Seafood lunch at "Island Impression": Fresh oysters (¥10), scallops (¥15), ~¥80/person.

🏯 Penglai Pavilion (70km from downtown, ¥120)

- Morning:
🏛️ Ancient complex: “Fairyland” plaque + mirage viewing deck (June-August).
🐚 Tianheng Mountain Trail: Free 20min hike to sea-boundary marker, cliffside wave photos (wear grippy shoes!).
- Afternoon:
🏰 Wencheng Castle: Baroque-style filming location for "Hello Mr. Billionaire," ¥40 ticket (wear vintage outfits for photos).

🍽️【Seafood Guide】

✅ Must-try:
🥟 Spanish mackerel dumplings: "Little Red Whale" (Zhifu Bay), ¥28/6 pieces.
🥘 Yantai fried starch jelly: "Old Yantai" (Suochengli), ¥15/bowl with shrimp sauce.
🦞 Seafood feast: "Wong Kok Seafood Village" (Laishan), ¥298/small portion (feeds 3).
🍷 Wine pairing: Changyu Museum’s "Chateau Restaurant," cheese platter + ice wine, ~¥150/person.

❌ Avoid:
- Overpriced "wild seafood" near attractions—stick to chains like Little Red Whale.
- Yangma Island horse rides: Confirm prices (typically ¥30/lap) to avoid scams.

🗓️ 3-Day Itinerary

**Day 1: Downtown**
9:00 Yantai Mountain → 12:00 Suochengli (starch jelly + dumplings) → 14:00 Changyu Museum → 17:00 First Bathing Beach sunset → 19:00 Chaoyang Street night market (beer + grilled squid).

**Day 2: Yangma Island**
8:30 Taxi to island (¥50) → 9:30 Tianma Square → 10:30 Back Sea photos → 12:30 seafood lunch → 14:00 Zhang Island watersports → 16:00 geopark hike → 19:00 BBQ at homestay.

**Day 3: Penglai**
7:30 Charter car (¥200) → 8:30 Penglai Pavilion → 12:00 "Jianxing Noodles" (seafood broth, ¥15) → 14:00 Wencheng Castle → 16:30 Return.

⚠️ Tips
1. Tides: Check "Global Tides" on WeChat—arrive 1hr before low tide (~10:00/22:00) for Back Sea photos.
2. Tickets: Book Penglai Pavilion/Changyu Museum via "Shandong Cultural Tourism Cloud" to skip lines.
3. Tide-pooling: Bring shovels, salt (for clams), gloves. Try Qinfeng Cliff’s free zone (crabs/clams).
4. Souvenirs: Yantai apples (June "Gala" variety), Changyu ice wine (buy at airport, ship fragile items).

💡 Yantai’s romance lingers in every wave, its century-old lighthouse, and the fusion of seafood with wine. Follow this guide to savor the Shandong Peninsula’s charm—escape to this "mountain-sea fairyland" this Dragon Boat Festival!