Yantai 4 Days 3 Nights In-Depth Travel Plan: The Perfect Blend of Mountain-Sea Wonderland and the Old City’s Vibrancy

“Half of Yantai’s beauty lies in the sails of the ancient Dengzhou Port, and the other half in the steam rising from freshly cooked mackerel fish dumplings on the street corner.” Rent a bike to chase the wind on Yangma Island, squat at Moon Bay waiting for the tide to cover your ankles—the sea at 37°N latitude is more romantic than you imagined.🌅 📅 Day 1: Old City Arts Line (Panorama of Mountain, Sea, City, and Port) - Morning: Yantai Hill Scenic Area - Climb the lighthouse (10 RMB) to overlook the meeting point of the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea, where red tiles, green trees, and blue sea form a picturesque scene. - Stroll through the consulate buildings, shoot Republic of China style photos at the Bingxin Memorial Hall, with beautiful light and shadows in the quiet morning. - Lunch: Chaoyang Street - Must-try “Gan Hai’er” restaurant’s sea intestine rice (98 RMB/serving) or Rongxiang Seafood’s mackerel dumplings. - Afternoon: Binhai Square → Fisherman’s Wharf - Watch the sunset at Binhai Square, capture the golden moment of the lighthouse with time-lapse photography. - Check in at the Fisherman’s Wharf’s sea railway like in Spirited Away (shoot at low tide), enjoy the European-style castle light show at night. - Dinner: Fisherman’s Wharf “Little Red Bucket BBQ” spicy stir-fried clams + grilled squid. - Accommodation: Atour Hotel in Zhifu District (350 RMB per person, near Yantai Hill). --- 📅 Day 2: Penglai Wonderland Line (Seeking Immortals and Taoism) - Transport: Take the bus from Yantai Station to Penglai at 8 AM (1.5 hours/30 RMB). - Morning: Penglai Pavilion - Book tickets (100 RMB), climb the pavilion to see the S-shaped dividing line of the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea, take photos of the ancient pavilion and sea at the Su Gong Shrine stele. - Lunch: “Jianxing Restaurant” next to Penglai Pavilion, 4 RMB Penglai noodles (scallop broth is fresh and sweet). - Afternoon: Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea Scenic Area - Feed seagulls, watch the 3 PM “Dream Seeking Immortal Mountain” holographic light show (80 RMB). - Evening return: Back to Yantai city, night tour of Suocheng Old Street, try the intangible cultural heritage mackerel dumplings, experience tie-dye handcraft. --- 📅 Day 3: Yangma Island Cycling Around (Jelly Sea Secret Spot) - Transport: Taxi to Yangma Island Bridge (about 50 RMB), rent an electric scooter to circle the island (50 RMB/day). - Route: - Zhang Island: Red plank bridge glass viewing platform for spectacular wave shots (wearing a white dress makes photos better). - Island Diary Café: Cliff hanging chair to drink iced coconut Americano, use a telephoto lens to capture the sea and sky line. - Qin Feng Cliff: White church ruins + red wooden plank road, cinematic vibes at sunset. - Lunch: Xinyang Restaurant steamed sea urchin + scallops mixed with cucumber (100 RMB per person). - Afternoon: Changyu Castel Winery experience grape picking + winemaking (120 RMB, includes exclusive wine). --- 📅 Day 4: Coastal Art and Farewell - Morning: Golden Beach - Shoot the silhouette of the “Lonely Whale” sculpture (best at low tide), dig clams, chase little crabs. - Alternative option (if time allows): - Changdao one-day tour: 45-minute boat from Penglai, feed seagulls at Waniao Island, watch sunset at Jiuzhang Cliff, stay at fishermen’s homestay and enjoy a full seafood feast. - Return: Leave by plane or high-speed train from Golden Beach in the evening. --- Taste of Yantai: Must-Eat List | Recommended Food/Restaurants 1. Seafood Feast: Mong Kok Little Fishing Village sea intestine rice - crispy tender sea intestine + Wuchang rice 2. Yantai Snack Street grilled squid 3. Local snacks: Suocheng Old Street “Dongmenli” mackerel dumplings 4. Street Yantai steamed jelly (5 RMB) 5. Tipsy moment: Changyu Wine Culture Museum tasting gold award brandy --- 🏨 Accommodation and Transportation Guide - Accommodation: - High-end: Hilton Golden Beach (private beach, 800 RMB per person). - Family-friendly: Yangma Island Island Diary Homestay (cliff sea view, 400 RMB per person). - Cost-effective: Laishan District sea view rooms near Yantai University (200 RMB per person). - Transportation: - City attractions: Take bus No. 17 “Sea Bus” along the coastline. - Cross-district attractions: Charter car/rental car (Yangma Island to Penglai about 1.5 hours). --- ⚠️ Pitfall Avoidance Tips 1. Avoid being overcharged: Seafood weight must be “peeled,” avoid restaurants marked “market price.” 2. Tides: Download the “Global Tides” app, go tide hunting at Fisherman’s Wharf and Yangma Island Back Sea at low tide. 3. Itinerary: Avoid scheduling Golden Beach and Yangma Island on the same day (50 km apart). 4. Discounts: Free admission to Changyu Museum for middle and high school exam students, free tickets to Penglai Pavilion for local residents.