Yantai Golden Beach Travel Guide: Time Tower and The Lonely Whale in One Line

Yantai Golden Beach is a national-level tourist resort, known as "the number one beach in northern China."
Here is a travel guide including The Lonely Whale and the Time Tower:

- Transportation: Take bus routes 21 or 23 directly from Yantai Station or Yantai South Station; for self-driving, navigate to "40 Haibin Road." The scenic area offers free parking.
- Admission: All attractions within the scenic area are free of charge.

Must-Visit Attractions

- The Lonely Whale: Also known as "Deep Breath," this cast bronze sculpture was jointly designed by Xiong Shitao and Li Zhen from the Central Academy of Fine Arts and debuted in 2016. The sculpture is 39 meters long and 10 meters high, with a hollow interior containing a slide. It is called "The Lonely Whale" because it reminds people of Alice, the whale that emits 52 Hz sound waves and cannot communicate, making it a gentle landmark of Golden Beach.

- Time Tower: Designed by open Architecture Office, it is located on the east side of Yangfan Square on Haibin Road in the Huangbohai New District. The building is 50 meters tall, with a base diameter of 50 meters forming a perfect circle, and the main structure is made of white fair-faced concrete. Inside are exhibition spaces, sea-view areas, an aerial library, and other functional zones. The phenomenon space at the top offers views of natural scenery and light-shadow changes.

- Tianma Pier: The nation’s first love-themed pier, ideal for watching sunrises and taking photos; the exterior of the Lian Yantai Hall is a pure glass room with charming dusk and nighttime views; Wangjiao Covered Bridge at Housha Square extends into the sea and is a great spot for sunsets.

- Time Tower: It is recommended to visit at sunrise or sunset. You can climb to the 5th or 6th floor to enjoy stunning light. The coffee area on the 1st floor is perfect for wide-angle shots of the building structure, and the library window is great for backlit silhouette photos. Remember to book online with real-name registration in advance; closed every Monday.

- The Lonely Whale: Try shooting from below or using displacement techniques to capture unique photos. Avoid peak crowds on weekends, wear flat shoes for comfort, and be cautious of the hollow interior which can trap feet.

- Seafood Stalls: The Golden Beach food street has many seafood stalls where you can taste scallops, crabs, and other seafood. The "Flaming Mountain BBQ" is recommended for grilled sea cucumber.

- Local Snacks: Try Yantai Menzi, crispy potato jelly paired with sesame paste, garlic paste, and shrimp, as well as Penglai noodles, which are as thin as hair and served in delicious fish soup.

Post by Cooper_18 Samuel | Oct 19, 2025