Things To Do
in Yantai
Yantai is a coastal city in northeastern Shandong province known for its seascapes, vineyards and as an important port on the Bohai and Yellow Seas. The city mixes modern seafront boulevards and a laid-back fishing-town atmosphere with historic sites like colonial-era hilltop buildings and nearby Taoist temples. Yantai is famed for its seafood, apple orchards and the Changyu wine company — one of China’s oldest wineries.
Its seaside parks, beaches and easy access to Penglai and Mount Kunyu make it a good base for both cultural day trips and outdoor activities.
Day Trips
Spend a day exploring around
Start your day at the picturesque Yantai Hill, where you can enjoy the panoramic views of the city and the sea. Visit the historic Yantai Pavilion, a beautiful structure that dates back to the Ming Dynasty, and learn about its significance in local history. Don’t forget to take a stroll through the nearby streets, filled with charming colonial architecture and quaint shops.
After lunch, head to the Yantai Museum to delve deeper into the region's rich cultural heritage, showcasing artifacts from ancient dynasties to modern times. Enjoy a leisurely walk along the coastal promenade, where you can catch the refreshing sea breeze and take in the vibrant atmosphere. Stop by a local café for a cup of Yantai’s famous green tea while watching the world go by.
As the sun sets, visit the Yantai Night Market to experience the vibrant local food scene, sampling delicious street foods like grilled seafood and dumplings. The lively atmosphere is perfect for mingling with locals and other travelers, immersing yourself in the culture. End your day with a stroll along the beach, watching the waves lap against the shore under the stars.
Kick off your day at the Golden Beach, one of Yantai's most famous sandy shores, where you can relax and soak up the sun. Enjoy a refreshing swim in the clear waters or try your hand at beach volleyball with locals. The serene environment is perfect for unwinding and enjoying nature’s beauty.
After a morning of relaxation, indulge in a seafood lunch at a beachside restaurant, where freshly caught fish is the highlight of the menu. Spend the afternoon engaging in water sports, such as jet skiing or paddleboarding, for an adrenaline rush. Alternatively, you can simply lounge on the sand with a good book and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
As evening descends, take a leisurely stroll along the beach, listening to the soothing sounds of the ocean. Witness the sunset painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, making for a perfect backdrop for memorable photos. For dinner, treat yourself to a beachfront barbecue, savoring the flavors of grilled seafood and local delicacies.
Prices
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| 🍜Street meal / inexpensive restaurant | $3-8 |
| 🍽️Mid-range restaurant meal (per person) | $10-25 |
| 🚕Short taxi ride (3–5 km) | $2-6 |
| 🏨Mid-range hotel (per night) | $40-90 |
| ☕Coffee or café snack | $2-6 |
Strengths and Weaknesses
- Beautiful coastal scenery, beaches and sea views
- Excellent fresh seafood and long wine-making tradition
- Good base for day trips to Penglai and Mount Kunyu
- Less crowded and more relaxed compared with larger Chinese port cities
- Limited English signage and fewer English-speaking staff outside tourist spots
- Summer crowds at beaches and higher weekend prices
- Mobile-payment reliance can be tricky for visitors without Chinese bank accounts
- Fewer international-flight connections compared with major hubs
- "你好 (nǐ hǎo)" - Hello
- "谢谢 (xiè xiè)" - Thank you
- "多少钱? (duō shǎo qián?)" - How much does this cost?
- "厕所在哪儿? (cè suǒ zài nǎr?)" - Where is the bathroom?
- "我是素食者 (wǒ shì sùshí zhě)" - I am a vegetarian
- "请带我去… (qǐng dài wǒ qù...)" - Please take me to...
- "救命! (jiù mìng!)" - Help!
Places to Visit in Yantai
Visit one of these nice places.
Dramatic coastal pavilions on cliffs with historic architecture and striking seascape views — spectacular at sunrise and foggy mornings when the 'mirage' effect appears.
Old consulate-era buildings, coastal views and the iconic lighthouse offer classic harbor and architecture shots.
Long seaside boulevard with modern sculptures, beaches and sunset vantage points perfect for golden-hour photography.
Vineyard rows, European-style chateau architecture and tasting rooms provide countryside and lifestyle photo opportunities, especially in autumn harvest season.
Wide sandy beach with dunes and coastal activity — good for sunset, surfers and family scenes.
Food in Yantai
Yantai Famous Food
Signature dishes, delicacies and famous food
Fresh scallops steamed with garlic and vermicelli; find them at seafood restaurants and market stalls along the port and coastal districts.
Must-Try!
Specialty items in upscale seafood restaurants and hotel menus, often braised or served in soup; prized for texture and flavor.
Local apples used in pies, tarts and juices — a light local specialty available at markets and cafés.
Crispy fried small clams, commonly sold at seaside stalls and casual eateries around Penglai and Yantai’s beaches.
Food Markets
Explore local food markets
Large wet market near the port where fishermen sell fresh catch; you can buy seafood and have nearby vendors or restaurants cook it for you.
Evening market with grilled shellfish, skewers, pancakes and classic northern street snacks — great for sampling many small dishes.
Weather
How to Behave
Tips on cultural norms and respectful behavior
A simple '你好 (nǐ hǎo)' and a nod or slight bow is fine; handshakes are acceptable in business contexts. Avoid loud public displays and keep phone calls low-volume on public transport.
If invited to a meal, try a bit of each dish. It’s polite to show appreciation and let hosts or elders taste first. Use both hands when offering items like a cup, and avoid pointing chopsticks directly at people.
Deference to older people and polite language with officials is expected. Public disagreement, especially loudly, is best avoided.
Always ask before photographing people, especially in markets or rural settings; some religious sites restrict photography or require modest dress.
Safety
Tipping in Yantai
Ensure a smooth experience
Tipping is not customary in everyday Chinese settings and is often unnecessary; upscale hotels and some tour services may accept or appreciate tips, but do so discreetly. Rounding up taxi fares is common; small tips at international restaurants are acceptable but not expected.
Mobile payments (WeChat Pay and Alipay) dominate local transactions. UnionPay cards are widely accepted, international Visa/Mastercard may work at hotels, larger restaurants and tourist sites; carry some cash for markets, small vendors and taxis.
Best Time to Visit
And what to expect in different seasons...
Mild temperatures and blooming orchards make spring pleasant but often windy; pack a light jacket and layers. Rain increases later in spring so a compact umbrella is useful.
Hot and humid with temperatures often in the mid-20s to low-30s °C (mid-70s to 90s °F); seaside breezes help, but bring sunscreen, a hat and insect repellent. Summer is peak beach and seafood-season; expect more tourists on weekends.
Considered the best time to visit: comfortable temperatures, low rain and clear skies — ideal for hiking, vineyard visits and photography of apple orchards.
Cold and dry with temperatures often near freezing; fewer tourists and lower prices, but some seaside activities and smaller attractions may have reduced hours. Dress warmly and expect occasional snow or frost.
Yantai at Night
Hiking in Yantai
Immerse in an unforgettable hike.
A scenic Taoist mountain range with trails of varying difficulty, temples and dramatic granite peaks — good for day hikes and cultural exploration.
While Laoshan is more associated with Qingdao, parts of the coastal ranges accessible from Yantai offer similar granite coastal hikes and temple sites; ideal for longer day trips.
Short coastal routes linking Penglai Pavilion, sea-erosion cliffs and viewpoints — relatively easy walks with dramatic ocean panoramas.
Airports
How to reach Yantai by plane.
The main airport serving Yantai with domestic flights and some regional connections; roughly 30–40 minutes from central Yantai by taxi or airport shuttle.
Major regional hub about 2–2.5 hours by car or bus from Yantai; offers many international and domestic flights and is an alternate option for international arrivals.
Smaller regional airport to the east; useful for regional connections and about 1–1.5 hours drive from eastern parts of Yantai prefecture.
Walkability
Demographics
Explore demographics in this area.
The vast majority of Yantai’s residents are Han Chinese, with local Shandong cultural traditions and dialect influences.
A significant population of internal migrants from other provinces working in construction, service industries and factories; several universities bring a student population as well.
Expatriates are present, often linked to teaching, wine business, shipping or tourism; English-speaking circles are limited but growing.
Popular Sports
Explore popular sports in region.
Common recreational sports in schools and community courts — pickup games are frequent in parks and urban neighborhoods.
Coastal culture supports recreational and small-scale sport fishing; sailing and boating are growing hobbies, especially around the harbor and tourist marinas.
Widely played indoor sports with accessible community facilities and local clubs.
Traffic
Accomodations
Find the best place to stay when visiting Yantai.
Dietary Restrictions
Tips for restricted diets.
Vegetarian options exist but can be limited in seafood-heavy restaurants; order vegetable stir-fries, tofu dishes and noodle or rice dishes. Tell staff '我是素食者 (wǒ shì sùshí zhě)' and confirm no fish sauce or meat broths.
Many dishes use animal stock or oyster sauce; carry a translated allergy card and prefer simple vegetable preparations or international cafés. Major hotels and some restaurants can accommodate with advance notice.
Halal options are limited; look for Muslim-run eateries or northwestern Chinese restaurants in larger districts, and use apps or ask at the hotel for guides.