Things to do in Yantai

No. 8 of Activities in Shandong

Sunrise Sightseeing in Yantai

No. 9 of Activities in Shandong

Seaside Resorts in Yantai

The scenery of Yantai Beach is beautiful. In the distance is the endless sea, which complements the blue sky and white clouds, forming a magnificent picture. Here you can enjoy the magnificence and tranquility of the sea, feel the breeze of the sea, and relax your mind thoroughly. The beach has a golden beach that stretches for several kilometers. The sand is fine and soft, and it is very comfortable to walk on barefoot. In addition, Yantai Beach also provides a variety of water sports, such as swimming, surfing, windsurfing, motorboats, etc., which can make people fully feel the charm of the ocean. Whether it is a vacationer who wants to find tranquility and relaxation, or an adventurer who wants to experience excitement and fun, you can find your own way of seaside vacation here.

No. 6 of Global Traveller-Picked Attractions in Yantai

Sun Tower

The design inspiration for Yantai Development Zone Sun Tower comes from the sun's trajectory, with its geometric form seemingly sculpted by sunlight. The tower's split structure faces the sea, symbolizing reverence for time and nature. Inside, it features an outdoor theater, sky library, digital exhibition gallery, coffee lounge, and a unique semi-outdoor "phenomenon space" at the top offering seasonal views of nature. The surrounding plaza showcases thoughtful designs, including a shell-shaped sunken plaza, an elliptical planetary orbit feature, and a "time water channel" that accurately tracks the tower's shadow movement during the spring and fall equinoxes. More than an architectural landmark, this cultural space blends ancient Eastern wisdom with modern urban life, awakening awareness of natural phenomena.

Daheishan Island

Daheishan Island is located at the westernmost end of Changdao County, an eco-tourism resort island in northern China known as the "Fairy Mountain on the Sea". The total land area is 8.54 square kilometers, and the total coastline is 20.02 kilometers long. There are only 1,500 residents on the island, and the original village form and the life of the 1980s are still preserved. There are textbook-level quartzite groups on China's "mainland islands", sea caves at the level of China's scientific expeditions, and many historical and cultural relics on the island, which contain traces of China's ancient and special civilization. It is called China's "Eastern Half Slope" by archaeologists and is a rare "marine museum" in China and abroad. There is a national bird banding protection station on Daheishan Island. The forest coverage rate is as high as 80%. It is an important habitat for birds migrating from north to south in my country. Every year, more than 200 species of birds and hundreds of thousands of birds pass through this place for migration. The number of birds banded and released accounts for more than 70% of the total number in the country. It is known as the "first island for birds banded and released in China". The marine resources of Daheishan Island are also very rich. It not only produces dozens of kinds of fish and shrimp, but also more than 100 kinds of algae and more than 20 kinds of shellfish. Because the entire sea area has never been developed, you can still taste truly wild, pollution-free and authentic seafood delicacies today.

Penglai Pavilion Cable Car

The Penglai Pavilion Cableway has been named the "Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea Cableway," renowned for both its elegant design and cutting-edge technology. As China's first single-loop detachable grip cableway utilizing permanent magnet direct drive technology, it marks a milestone in the development of domestic cableway systems. The cableway spans approximately 460m with a one-way transport capacity of 1,900 passengers per hour and adjustable operating speeds of 0–3.5m/s. Compared to the original fixed-grip two-person gondolas, the new cableway not only increases transport capacity by 3–5 times but also significantly enhances safety, experience, and comfort. Notably, it features 5 panoramic cabins offering 360-degree immersive views of the stunning seascape. Gaze out at the mountains meeting the sea and waves crashing against the shore—this unique cross-sea experience awaits you.

Yantai Golden Beach Tourist Resort

Yantai Golden Beach Tourist Resort is located along the Yellow Sea coast of Shandong Peninsula, by the Bajiao Bay in the northern coastal area of Yantai Yellow-Bohai Sea New Area (Yantai Development Zone). Spanning 8.2 km², it became one of Shandong's first provincial-level tourist resorts in 1993. Its internationally renowned 10,000m golden beach is among China's top natural bathing spots, featuring powdery sand stretching over 10 km and acclaimed as "Northern China's premier beach".

Jiuzhang Cliff

Jiuzhang Cliff is situated on the northwest corner of North Long Island on Yantai Long Island. It is a huge cliff on the seashore that attracts many tourists. The cliffs of Jiuzhang Cliff are very dangerous and you need to be very careful when walking under the cliff. The gate of Jiuzhangya is built on the hillside and there is a giant statue of Guanyin after entering the scenic spot. The front of the Guanyin statue is a cliff. From the cliff, you can see the sea in front of you.

No. 5 of Family-friendly Attractions in Yantai

The Mou's Manor

The Mou's Manor is located in Qixia city, serving as the residence of the prominent landlord Mou Molin (nicknamed "Mou Erhei") and his descendants during the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China. It stands as one of China's most well-preserved typical landlord manors. Within this expansive northern Chinese landlord estate, you can explore its grand architectural complex, admire its exquisite and unique craftsmanship, and immerse yourself in its profound folk culture. The manor boasts massive architectural scale and carries numerous historical anecdotes about its construction features and local customs. We recommend renting an audio guide or hiring a guide at the visitor center to gain a more vivid understanding of this remarkable site. The Mou's Manor was initially built during the Yongzheng era of the Qing Dynasty and reached its current scale by 1935 (the 24th year of the Republic of China). Today, it preserves over 480 halls, towers, and side rooms. The manor features winding pathways, layered courtyards, grand halls, pavilions, side chambers, and multiple quadrangle compounds. Visitors can also see structures like granaries, weaving workshops, wineries, oil presses, and even a private opera stage—reflecting the Mou family's social status and economic power at the time. The architecture showcases unique craftsmanship with exquisite carvings and masonry, renowned for its "three carvings," "six oddities," and "nine marvels." One of the oddities is "chimneys standing outside the gable walls"—dozens of chimneys in the manor are supported by finely carved granite slabs outside the gables (some on the front walls), resembling miniature floating pavilions. These chimneys don't backdraft and are fireproof. Inside the halls and rooms, you might notice that despite the Mou family's immense wealth, the furnishings and decorations appear surprisingly modest, exuding a strong rural charm of eastern Shandong. This likely stems from the family's agrarian values, as inscribed on the main gate: "Farming and reading as lifelong pursuits, diligence and frugality as family traditions"—a testament to their indifference to fame and pursuit of tranquility. The manor also highlights Qixia's folk culture. During the May Day and National Day golden weeks, it hosts the "Folk Culture Tourism Festival," featuring activities like flower-shaped steamed buns, paper-cutting, embroidered ball tossing, traditional wedding ceremonies, and folk lantern displays, vividly recreating the cultural life of eastern Shandong during the Mou family's heyday.

Penglai Immortal Island

Penglai Immortal Island is one of the Three Immortal Mountains. It is based on the "Penglai Wonderland Map" by Yuan Jiang and Yuan Yao, the masters of the Qing Dynasty, and was recreated and carefully designed by the architects. The whole landscape is majestic and beautiful in shape, winning the charm of Chinese classical architecture. This building is unique from ancient times to the present. Its innovation is to turn the ideal realm of romanticism imagined by ancient Chinese literati into reality.

No. 6 of Family-friendly Attractions in Yantai

Kongtong Wonderland

Kongtong scenic spot · origin Kongtong scenic spot is located on Kongtong Island in Yantai's Zhifu District. It is a comprehensive fairy-tale island attraction integrating natural wonders and cultural heritage, with the Eight Immortals legend and Classic of Mountains and Seas culture as its core IPs. The attraction features four main offerings: admission tickets, the Kongtong fairy residence themed resort hotel, fairy-tale themed dining, and the core performance at Dongyou Palace. Boasting natural marvels like pink shell beaches and colorful stone shores, along with cultural landmarks such as Dongyou Palace and the Eight Immortals themed commercial street, the attraction creates immersive fairy-tale experiences through artistic techniques blending reality and fantasy. We cordially invite you to enjoy a one-stop fairy island vacation experience. [Gourmet delights · Feast] The attraction features 31 distinctive dining outlets, creating a multi-level culinary system that blends local island charm with diverse flavors. Options range from fresh and authentic seafood-themed restaurants to atmospheric fine-dining establishments, as well as convenient Western fast food and authentic local snacks perfect for on-the-go enjoyment, complemented by various tea drinks and desserts for relaxing breaks. Catering to different budgets and occasions—whether solo relaxation, gatherings with friends, or family banquets—the venue offers both premium seafood delicacies and casual street food. Visitors can easily find delicious treats throughout their journey, enhancing the fairy-tale island experience with every bite. Rare treasures gathering 18 retail experience stores create immersive shopping experiences, breaking the monotony of traditional shopping. They offer ancient-style costume photography services to capture fairyland scenery, feature distinctive Kongtong cultural products inspired by the eight immortals and mountain-sea heritage, showcase exquisite Jiaodong intangible cultural handicrafts, and provide comprehensive travel essentials. Combining photo opportunities, hands-on workshops, souvenir shopping and travel supplies, visitors can acquire unique mementos of the Kongtong scenic spot while experiencing island culture and traditional craftsmanship, enriching the entire park visit. [Dreaming by the sea] The attraction features three high-quality vacation accommodations: Kongtong Xianju Hotel, Kongtong Hotel (Phase II), and Dongyouju Inn, totaling 344 guest rooms that can accommodate nearly 700 visitors at once for a leisurely island getaway. The area offers multiple premium coastal experiences: spacious and bright sea-view rooms with panoramic ocean vistas, a seaside restaurant serving delicacies while overlooking the waves, an elevated infinity pool with stunning island views, and an exclusive private beach for undisturbed strolls and relaxation. From villas and luxury rooms to cozy homestays, complemented by full coastal amenities, it provides a one-stop solution for your ideal island retreat by the sea. Immerse in fantasy The attraction creates an immersive fairy-tale experience following the storyline of encountering immortals, crossing seas, landing on islands, cultivating immortality, and achieving divinity. Featuring two major highlights - the "Eight immortals crossing the sea" performance at Dongyou palace and the night-time Yaochi show - along with multiple interactive performances at various locations throughout the day, visitors can fully immerse themselves in the unique charm of traditional mythology.