概述
Yantai is a relaxed coastal city on the northern shore of the Shandong Peninsula, known for its clean air, fine beaches, and the legendary Penglai Pavilion — one of China’s four great towers, associated with the “Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea” myth. It is quieter and less expensive than Qingdao but offers comparable coastal scenery, excellent seafood, and a significant wine heritage as home to Changyu, Asia’s largest wine producer. The offshore Changdao (Long Island) archipelago is a natural highlight, with dramatic sea cliffs, pebble beaches, and pristine fishing villages. Yantai is ideal for travelers seeking a laid-back beach holiday combined with mythology, history, and wine tasting. A typical visit lasts 2-3 days.
行 (Transport)
| Way |
Details |
| High-speed rail |
Qingdao to Yantai 1.5 h (80-110 yuan); Jinan to Yantai 2.5 h (150-200 yuan); Beijing South to Yantai 4.5 h (350-400 yuan) |
| Train stations |
Yantai Station (烟台站, city center) for conventional rail; Yantai South Station (烟台南站, 15 km south) for most high-speed trains |
| Airport |
Yantai Penglai International Airport (YNT), 45 km from city center, domestic and international flights (Seoul, Osaka, Hong Kong). Airport bus 25 yuan, 1 h to city |
| Local bus |
Extensive network, fare 1-2 yuan. Bus 17 runs along the scenic coastal road |
| Taxi/ride-hail |
Start at 8 yuan/3 km; Yantai South Station to city center 50-60 yuan; Yantai Station to Penglai 120-150 yuan |
| Ferry to Changdao |
From Penglai Port (蓬莱港) to Changdao. Passenger ferry 45 yuan, 40 min. Car ferry 200 yuan (vehicle + driver). Departures 06:30-17:30, every 30-60 min |
住 (Accommodation)
| Area |
Recommendation |
Reference price |
| Yantai Mountain / coast (烟台山/滨海广场) |
Yantai Golden Bay Hotel, Shangri-La Yantai |
400-1200 yuan |
| Zhifu District center (芝罘区市中心) |
Holiday Inn Yantai, home inn |
250-500 yuan |
| Penglai area (蓬莱) |
Penglai Hotel, Penglai Guesthouse |
300-700 yuan |
| Changdao island (长岛) |
Family-run guesthouses (渔家乐, include meals) |
200-400 yuan per person (3 meals included) |
| Mouping / Yangma Island area (养马岛) |
Yangma Island resort hotels |
300-600 yuan |
吃 (Food)
| Category |
Recommended shop |
Address |
Reference price |
| Yantai焖子 (Menzhi, local starch cake) |
Laojie Menzi (老街焖子) |
Chaoyang Street |
10-15 yuan |
| Penglai small noodles (蓬莱小面) |
Penglai Small Noodle King (蓬莱小面王) |
Penglai, Xiangu Road |
12-20 yuan/bowl |
| Braised sea cucumber (葱烧海参) |
Yantai Haiyue Restaurant (烟台海悦) |
Binhai Road, Zhifu |
80-150 yuan |
| Seafood platter (海鲜大咖) |
Shihai Seafood (食海海鲜) |
Binhai Road |
128-268 yuan (2-4 persons) |
| Spanish mackerel dumplings (鲅鱼水饺) |
Yantai Dumpling King (烟台饺子王) |
Chaoyang Street |
40-60 yuan/portion |
| Changdao seafood stew (渔家一锅鲜) |
Changdao guesthouse (渔家乐) |
Changdao Island |
50-80 yuan/person |
| Scallops in shell (蒜蓉粉丝蒸扇贝) |
Most seafood restaurants |
Various |
25-40 yuan per 6-8 pieces |
| Steamed sea urchin (清蒸海胆) |
Changdao seafood stalls |
Changdao Island |
20-40 yuan each |
| Yantai apple (烟台苹果) |
Fruit markets, street stalls |
Citywide |
5-12 yuan/jin |
| Cherry (6月丰收) (大樱桃) |
Fruit markets, roadsides |
Citywide, especially Mouping |
15-40 yuan/jin |
Food street: Chaoyang Street (朝阳街) has a concentration of restaurants in restored colonial-era buildings near Yantai Mountain. Binhai Road restaurants offer sea views.
游 (Sights)
| Attraction |
Ticket |
Opening hours |
Recommended time |
Highlights |
Address |
| Penglai Pavilion (蓬莱阁) |
100 yuan (cable car 30 yuan one-way, 50 yuan round) |
07:00-18:30 (summer); 08:00-17:00 (winter) |
Half day |
One of China’s four great towers, “Eight Immortals” legend, mirage viewing, seaside fortress complex |
Penglai, Yingbin Road |
| Changdao (Long Island) (长岛) |
Combo ticket 139 yuan (valid 3 days, includes Jiuzhang Cliff, Crescent Bay, Fengshan Forest, Xianjingyuan) |
08:30-17:00 (last ferry 15:30) |
1-2 days |
Dramatic sea cliffs (Jiuzhang Cliff 九丈崖), colorful pebble beach (Crescent Bay 月牙湾), Yellow Sea / Bohai Sea boundary, fishing village life |
Penglai Port to Changdao |
| Yangma Island (养马岛) |
Free (island entry); riding ranch activities extra |
All day |
2-3 h |
“China’s Maldives”, clear turquoise water, ring-island cycling (rental e-bike 30-50 yuan/h), sea-stack rock formations |
Mouping District |
| Yantai Mountain (烟台山) |
Free (lighthouse 10 yuan) |
08:00-17:30 |
1-2 h |
Historic lighthouse, former foreign consulate buildings, panoramic city and sea view |
Zhifu, Lixin Road |
| Chaoyang Street (朝阳街) |
Free |
All day (shops 10:00-22:00) |
1 h |
Restored 19th-century commercial street, colonial architecture, boutiques, cafes, bars |
Yantai Mountain base |
| Changyu Wine Museum (张裕酒文化博物馆) |
80 yuan (includes wine tasting) |
08:00-17:00 |
1-1.5 h |
Asia’s largest wine cellar, learn about China’s oldest wine brand, taste session included |
Zhifu, Dama Road |
| Sansxian Mountain (三仙山) |
100 yuan (combo with Baxian Guohai 140 yuan) |
07:00-18:00 |
3-4 h |
Recreated mythical fairyland, grand pavilions, lakes, gardens, worth combining with Penglai Pavilion |
Penglai, Haibin Road |
| Kunyu Mountain National Forest Park (昆嵛山国家森林公园) |
60 yuan |
08:00-17:00 |
3-5 h |
Taoist mountain, waterfalls, forests, quiet hiking, Taihuting scenic area |
Mouping / Wendeng border |
| Dahong Mountain (大黑山) |
50 yuan |
08:00-17:00 |
2-3 h |
Part of Changdao archipelago, volcanic rock coastline, sea fishing, fewer tourists |
Changdao Islands |
| Category |
Recommendation |
Address |
Price range |
| Changyu wine |
Changyu Wine Museum shop, supermarkets |
Zhifu, Dama Road |
50-500 yuan per bottle |
| Yantai apple (烟台苹果) |
Fruit wholesale markets |
Zhifu area |
5-12 yuan/jin |
| Cherry (大樱桃, June harvest) |
Rural roadside stalls, Mouping |
Mouping District |
15-40 yuan/jin |
| Dried seafood / sea treasures |
Binhai Road specialty shops |
Various |
50-300 yuan |
| Penglai crafts |
Penglai Pavilion souvenir shops |
Penglai Scenic Area |
20-200 yuan |
| Changdao seafood specialties |
Changdao Island guesthouse shops |
Changdao |
30-100 yuan |
贴士 (Travel Tips)
- Changdao logistics: Ferries from Penglai Port run every 30-60 min from 06:30 to 17:30 (winter 17:00). The ride takes 40 min. In summer, book ferry tickets online in advance as walk-up tickets sell out. Check weather — ferry cancels in high winds.
- Island accommodation: Staying on Changdao in a family-run guesthouse (渔家乐) costs about 200-400 yuan per person and includes three seafood-heavy meals. This is the best way to experience island life.
- Penglai Pavilion + Sansxian combo: These two attractions are a 15-min walk apart. Buy the combined ticket (140 yuan) to save 60 yuan. A full day covers both.
- Wine tourism: The Changyu Wine Museum tour includes a cellar walk and a tasting of three wines. For a deeper experience, book the Changyu Karu Wine Chateau tour (100 yuan) in the countryside (40 min drive from city).
- Yangma Island cycling: Rent an electric bike (30-50 yuan/h) at the island entrance and ride the 10-km ring road. Come on a weekday for fewer crowds. The water is most turquoise on sunny summer days.
- Best season: June-October is ideal. July-August is peak season. September offers the best seafood (post-moratorium). Spring (April-May) is good for cherry blossoms.
- Seafood caution: When eating at seafood restaurants, confirm the total price before ordering. Fresh seafood is priced by weight (jin, 500g). Ask for market price (时价) items to be quoted upfront.
- Yantai tourism card (烟台旅游卡): Available from March 2026 — 198 yuan for standard (A card), 98 yuan for students/seniors (B card). Provides unlimited annual access to 24 scenic spots including Penglai Pavilion and Kunyu Mountain. Good value if visiting multiple paid sites.
- Cherry season: Yantai is famous for its large sweet cherries (大樱桃), harvested from late May to early July. Mouping District is the main production area. You can visit farms for U-pick (30-50 yuan per person).
- Getting to Penglai: Yantai Penglai International Airport is closer to Penglai (20 min) than to Yantai city center (1 h). If your main destination is Penglai, fly directly. If arriving at Yantai South Station, take a direct bus to Penglai (30 yuan, 1.5 h).
- Seaside promenade: The coastal path from Yantai Mountain to Binhai Square (about 3 km) is one of northern China’s most scenic urban walks. Best at sunset.
- Language: English is limited outside major hotels. Have addresses in Chinese ready for taxi drivers. Many seafood restaurants have picture menus.
