Welcome to China's most romantic seaside city—Yantai
Explore the fairyland of Yantai for 1200 RMB! A 3-day, 2-night high-value itinerary | Yangma Island cycling · Penglai Pavilion seeking immortals · Jinshatan Beach wave stepping · Changdao secret spots · Moon Bay listening to the wind Hello everyone, I’m travel blogger Xiaoyu🌊. Today, I’ll take you into a city caressed by sea breeze and nourished by mythology—Yantai, Shandong. It is the most romantic coastal city in northern China, known as a "paradise on earth," with legends of Qin Shi Huang and Emperor Wu of Han seeking immortals, gentle blue seas and skies, and wild charm of island secrets. This time, I’ve customized a 3-day, 2-night in-depth travel route for you with a budget of 1200 RMB per person, covering: ✅ Yangma Island—The Maldives of Jiaodong, super healing island cycling ✅ Penglai Pavilion—The place where the Eight Immortals crossed the sea, a thousand-year-old pavilion standing between sea and sky ✅ Jinshatan Seaside Park—Asia’s longest beach, barefoot on fine sand ✅ Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea Scenic Area—Mythology comes alive, see sea erosion wonders ✅ Changdao·Daheishan Island (optional)—Northern island secret, a haven for migratory birds ✅ Moon Bay—Couples’ sanctuary, watch waves kiss the “jade belt” ✅ Fengcheng 10,000-meter Beach (Longkou)—Few people, beautiful scenery, a local secret All transportation, accommodation, tickets, and dining included, saving money without sacrificing experience, niche yet profound, letting you unlock the romance of the Yellow Sea with the price of a hotpot meal! 🗺️ Itinerary overview Time: 3 days, 2 nights (suitable for weekends/short holidays) Budget: 1200 RMB per person (including transportation, accommodation, tickets, dining) Transportation: High-speed train + bus + carpool/shared bike (renting an electric scooter is recommended for more freedom) Best season: May to October (cool summer, sea and sky blend in autumn) 🚴 Day 1: Yangma Island × Moon Bay × Jinshatan—Island cycling and romantic coast 📍Morning: Yangma Island (free, electric cart around the island 60 RMB optional) Known as the “Northern Maldives,” the sea is crystal clear, the island road winds around, riding a small electric scooter with sea breeze, every shot is wallpaper-worthy. 📌 Must-visit spots: Zhang Island: connected by a sea-crossing bridge, with stunning reefs and lotus sunset, best place to watch the sunset in the evening Seawater bathing beach: swim in summer Qin Palace ruins: legend says Qin Shi Huang once raised horses here 📌 Money-saving tip: rent your own vehicle (electric scooter 50 RMB/day) for more freedom than the electric cart - bring snacks, island dining is expensive 📍Afternoon: Moon Bay (free) Yantai’s most romantic landmark, a long jade belt sculpture stretches across the coast, with huge “copper coins” at both ends symbolizing “perfect love and abundant wealth.” 📌 Photo tips: best light and shadow when the tide recedes and the jade belt is exposed - come at dusk for great silhouette shots 📍Evening: Jinshatan Seaside Park (free) Asia’s longest natural seawater bathing beach, the sand is fine as powder, barefoot feels soft like walking on cotton. 📌 Recommended activities: sand stepping, wave stepping, sandcastle building - evening stroll watching seagulls return to their nests - stop by the “Pearl of the Yellow Sea” sculpture Dinner: “Old Yantai Family” in Yantai city, about 60 RMB per person Recommended: Spanish mackerel dumplings, scallion sea intestine salad, spicy stir-fried clams, original brew beer Accommodation: Budget hotel or homestay in Zhifu District, Yantai (e.g., Hanting, Home Inn, 260 RMB/night) 💰 Daily expenses: Transportation 80 + Accommodation 260 + Dining 60 + Vehicle rental 50 = 450 RMB 🏯 Day 2: Penglai Pavilion × Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea—Seeking immortals, traveling through a millennium 📍Morning: Penglai Pavilion Scenic Area (ticket 100 RMB, student ticket 70 RMB) One of China’s four famous ancient towers, the legend of “Eight Immortals crossing the sea, each showing their own magic” happened here. Climb the pavilion for a distant view, the vast Yellow Sea shrouded in mist, truly like a fairyland. 📌 Must-visit: Main hall of Penglai Pavilion: Qing dynasty architecture with flying eaves and upturned corners, Tianhou Temple, Dragon King Temple, Su Gong Ancestral Hall, Wind Shelter Pavilion: magical wind-blocking design where candle flames never go out, Tianheng Mountain: take the sea-crossing cable car (+50 RMB) or walk, overlooking the meeting of two seas 📍Afternoon: Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea Scenic Area (ticket 80 RMB) Adjacent to Penglai Pavilion, themed on the Eight Immortals legend, by the sea and mountains, with rugged reefs and many sea erosion caves. 📌 Recommended activities: walk the “Eight Immortals plank road,” watch waves hit the “Immortal Cave,” check in at the “Immortal Boat Crossing” sculpture group - boat trip available (+60 RMB) for a panoramic view of Penglai Pavilion 📌 Money-saving tip: buy a combined ticket for both scenic spots (160 RMB), save 20 RMB - student/senior discounts available Dinner: “Fisherman’s Home” near Penglai Water City, about 50 RMB per person Recommended: oyster omelet, steamed swimming crab, seafood dumpling soup Accommodation: Homestay near Penglai Ancient City (shared room/bed 180 RMB/person, or whole room 320 RMB/night) 💰 Daily expenses: Tickets 160 + Transportation 60 + Accommodation 180 + Dining 50 = 450 RMB 🌊 Day 3: Changdao Daheishan Island (optional) × Fengcheng 10,000-meter Beach—Secret island or deep slow life ⚠️ Note: Changdao requires a ferry, which is costly; if budget is tight, replace with “Fengcheng 10,000-meter Beach + return trip.” ✅ Option 1: Changdao·Daheishan Island (for those with ample time) 📍Daheishan Island (ferry + ticket about 150 RMB) One of the most pristine islands in Changdao, an important stopover for migratory birds, and an ecological secret recommended by China National Geography. 📌 Recommended activities: take the ferry to the island (departing from Penglai Port, one-way 45 RMB, 1 hour) check in at “Mazu Temple,” “Yellow Bohai Sea dividing line” viewing platform walk the “cliff trail,” see sea erosion pillars “Jingkou Cliff” summer sea fishing and beachcombing 📌 Drawbacks: round trip takes a long time (recommend early departure and return) 📌 Advantages: few people, wild scenery, a photographer’s paradise 💰 Daily expenses: Ferry 90 + Ticket 60 + Transportation 50 + Dining 40 = 240 RMB ✅ Option 2 (recommended budget version): Fengcheng 10,000-meter Beach + return trip 📍Fengcheng 10,000-meter Beach (free) Located in Longkou City, a local hidden treasure beach, the sand stretches for kilometers, few people, peaceful, perfect for zoning out. 📌 Activities: stroll the beach, listen to the waves whisper, beachcombing for shells and small crabs (at low tide), shoot “loneliness” themed photos Lunch: “Snack Street” next to Kailai Hotel in Longkou City, about 40 RMB per person Recommended: Longkou vermicelli soup, Spanish mackerel dumplings, grilled starfish Afternoon return: Longkou → Yantai South Station → high-speed train back 💰 Daily expenses: Transportation 60 + Dining 40 + Accommodation 0 = 100 RMB 💰 Total cost breakdown (per person) | Item | Cost (RMB) ||------------|-----------|| Round-trip transportation | 200 || Local transportation | 200 || Accommodation (2 nights) | 440 || Dining | 150 || Tickets | 240 || Other expenses | 70 || Total | ≈1200 RMB 💡 Core money-saving tips: Use regular trains/buses instead of high-speed trains (e.g., Beijing → Yantai hard seat 128 RMB) Stay in hostels/shared rooms/budget hotels (180-260 RMB/night) Bring your own snacks + eat at street stalls (within 50 RMB/day) Always carry your student ID for 30%-50% ticket discounts Changdao is optional, not mandatory, making budget easier to manage 🌟 📌 Blogger recommendation rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 📌 Cost-performance rating: 💰💰💰💰💰 📌 Suitable for: students / budget travelers / couples / photography lovers / families with children 1200 RMB for 3 days of free breathing between mountains and sea, worth it or not? I can only say: once you come, you’ll understand Yantai’s beauty. 🚢