This is not Europe, this is the romantic Yantai

Here is a carefully tailored summer vacation travel guide for Yantai (3-4 days), combining seaside resort, cultural experience, and food exploration, incorporating the latest summer 2025 events and local insider tips, balancing depth and cost-effectiveness: --- 🌊 Itinerary Plan (3-day core version) Day 1: Old Town Artistic Stroll - Morning: Yantai Hill Scenic Area - Climb the lighthouse to overlook the confluence of the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea (free admission, lighthouse ticket 10 RMB), check in at the modern consulate buildings, wear light-colored clothes to shoot stunning photos of red tiles, green trees, and coastline. - Noon: Chaoyang Street - Avoid overrated popular restaurants, recommend "Zhifu Small Restaurant" for Yantai Menzi (sesame garlic sauce with a crispy texture). - Afternoon: Suochengli - Walk the 600-year-old bluestone street, experience intangible cultural heritage handicrafts, take atmospheric photos when the lanterns light up at dusk. - Evening: Fisherman’s Wharf - Take photos of the sea rail track like in "Spirited Away" (best at high tide), watch the light show, dinner recommended at "Mong Kok Small Fishing Village" for sea intestine rice. Day 2: Jelly Sea and Popular Island - All day: Yangma Island + Pink Beach - Rent an electric bike to circle the island (30 RMB/hour), focus on playing at Zhang Island red pier and Qin Feng Cliff sunset; at low tide visit the pink shell beach (shells are discarded scallop factory waste, dreamy for photos but don’t expect too much). - Night: Yantai University Snack Street - 20 RMB to try authentic snacks: grilled sea intestine, mackerel fish dumplings, Yebu’er coconut jelly, a paradise for students. Day 3: Penglai Fairyland One Day - Morning: Penglai Pavilion - Climb the main building to see the dividing line of the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea, avoid combo tickets and buy only the main scenic area ticket (100 RMB), join a tour guide to hear the Eight Immortals stories. - Afternoon: Sanshan Mountain - Photograph the magnificent Penglai Fairy Island ancient-style buildings, visit the treasure hall to see the 108-ton jade reclining Buddha. --- 🦞 Must-Try Food Map | Seafood Must-Try | Mong Kok Small Fishing Village (Erma Road Branch) | Specialty Snacks | Yantai University Night Market / Suochengli East Gate | Popular Surprises | 9 o’clock Handmade Burgers (Suochengli) | Coffee Lovers | Bailang Coffee (Fisherman’s Wharf) --- ⚠️ Key Tips and 2025 New Rules 1. Transportation Optimization - Cultural Tourism Bus Lines: - Line A (City Coast): Train Station → Yantai University, connecting Zhifu Bay Square, Fisherman’s Wharf, etc., unlimited rides with a day ticket. - Line B (Jelly Sea Line): Yantai University → Yangma Island, solving island access issues, B line ticket holders can transfer to A line for free. - Prioritize shared electric scooters in the city, cycling along the coastal road is very pleasant; chartering for distant attractions is more efficient (about 400 RMB/day). 2. Accommodation Tips - Cost-effective: Laishan District near Yantai University, sea view rooms under 200 RMB, close to the beach. - Quality-focused: Sheraton Golden Beach (private beach), Suochengli intangible cultural heritage homestay. 3. Pitfall Prevention Guide - Watch out for seafood stalls adding water when weighing, prioritize restaurants with clear pricing (e.g., Little Red Whale · Seafood Flavor). - Visit Yangma Island after 3 PM to avoid midday sun and slippery reefs. - Do not buy combo tickets for Penglai Pavilion! The main scenic area ticket is enough. 4. Limited Experiences - Night tour at Fisherman’s Wharf: summer light show starts every night at 7:30 PM. - Tide hunting: check the "Yantai Tide Table," recommended to dig clams at Golden Beach (navigate to "City Exhibition Center"). --- 💰 Budget Reference (2 people, 3 days) - Tickets + activities: ≈400 RMB (Penglai Pavilion 200 + Yangma Island bike rental 60) - Accommodation: ≈1000 RMB (budget sea view room) - Food: ≈600 RMB (including one seafood feast) - Transportation: ≈300 RMB (bus lines + electric scooters) - Total about 2300 RMB, extremely cost-effective! > 🌟 For deep travelers: > - Day 4 Changdao extension: 45-minute ferry from Penglai, stay at a fisherman's guesthouse, eat sea urchin steamed egg + feed seagulls at Wan Bird Island, experience a "world-isolated" island. > - Wine culture fans: Zhangyu Museum DIY red wine filling (50 RMB), explore century-old oak barrels in the underground cellar. Bring sunscreen and slippers, embrace Yantai’s blue sea and sky!