3-Day Coastal Itinerary Guide for Rizhao

1. Accommodation Recommendations Budget Hotels Chain brands: Jinjiang Inn, GreenTree Inn, Super 8, Home Inn, etc., offering affordable prices and complete facilities. Luxury hotels: Lanqiao Jinjiang Hotel (5-star), Tiande Grand Hotel, Sheraton Grand Hotel, with premium environments and proximity to attractions. Apartments near MixC/Wanda: Convenient transportation and high cost-performance, ideal for urban travelers. Fishing Village Experience Huijin Fishing Homestay: A well-established homestay with complete facilities and hospitable hosts, located near scenic spots for easy luggage storage. Xinjinwang Fishing Homestay: Built by the sea, offering an authentic fishing village experience, perfect for beachcombing and seafood tasting. Tongnian Fishing Homestay: Highly reputed, suitable for families or groups of friends. 2. Food Recommendations Seafood Restaurants Chocolate Fishing Homestay: Signature steamed seafood pot and spicy sea bass, featuring live seafood cooked fresh. Qianwangyuan Seafood Restaurant: Authentic Jiaodong-style seafood, including steamed grouper and braised assorted fish, with an upscale ambiance great for photos. Detai Grand Hotel Chinese Restaurant: Offers a variety of seafood at moderate prices. Local Snacks University Town Night Market: Grilled squid, brown sugar glutinous rice cakes, seafood dumpling soup, and more, with a wide variety. Tasting China Burger: New Mapo Tofu Burger, retaining traditional flavors. Wallace Whole Chicken Burger: Jiangnan White Peach Zero-Degree Sparkling Beer paired with spicy chicken leg burgers, delivering a unique taste. Other Recommendations Longge DIY Hotpot: ¥59/person, featuring fried chicken legs and shrimp paste as highlights. Yizhiluo Liuzhou River Snails Rice Noodles: Original flavor river snails rice noodles with fried eggs soaked in broth. Northeastern Stews: Shengyuan Restaurant's grass fish spine hot pot and stir-fried three fresh vegetables, rich in homely flavors. 3. Itinerary & Attractions Classic Coastal Route (3 Days & 2 Nights) Day 1Day 2Day 3 Wanpingkou Scenic Area (photo ops, sunset viewing) → Third Bathing Beach (water activities, beachcombing) → Lighthouse Square (night views, heart-shaped sea photo spot)Rizhao Seaside National Forest Park (biking, picnics) → Ocean Park (marine life exhibits, bird shows) → Rizhao Science and Technology Museum (holographic theater)Shanhai Tian Sunshine Coast (trendy photo spot) → Dongyi Ancient Town (grilled oysters, brown sugar glutinous rice cakes) → Return trip Must-Visit Attractions Wanpingkou Scenic Area: A trendy spot for photos and leisure. Third Bathing Beach: Waves crashing against the shore, ideal for swimming and beachcombing. Lighthouse Square: Stunning night views when the lighthouse lights up. Rizhao Seaside National Forest Park: Forest meets sea, with bike rentals available. Dongyi Ancient Town: Experience seaside BBQ and local snacks. Shanhai Tian Sunshine Coast: A trendy camping park, perfect for photos and camping. Unique Experiences Beachcombing: Check tide times in advance, bring gloves, buckets, shovels, wear cloth shoes, and apply sunscreen. Sunrise Watching: Choose the nearest beach to your accommodation and dress warmly. World Sailing Championship Base: Try sailing and surfing, great for couples or families. 4. Important Notes Safety Tips Beginners should avoid venturing too far into the sea; water activities should be approached with caution. Stay safe while beachcombing to avoid being caught by tides. Transportation & Travel Transport options: Rizhao Shanzihe Airport, high-speed rail station (Rizhao West Station). Taxi rides from downtown to attractions take about 15 minutes. Avoid being lured by soliciting restaurants; opt for reputable ones like Chocolate Fishing Homestay or Qianwangyuan Seafood Restaurant. Buffet restaurants like Badou Kitchen cost around ¥100/person but lack uniqueness. Other Preparations Book accommodations in advance, as fishing homestays are often full during peak seasons. Bring sun protection (sunscreen, hats, sunglasses) and medicine (Huoxiang Zhengqi Shui). 5. Sample Itinerary Day 1: Arrive in Rizhao, check into a hotel near Wanpingkou, and visit Lighthouse Square in the evening. Day 2: Explore Third Bathing Beach and go beachcombing, then enjoy a seafood feast at Chocolate Fishing Homestay at night. Day 3: Bike through Seaside National Forest Park, head to Shanhai Tian Sunshine Coast in the afternoon, and visit University Town Night Market before departure. This guide combines practical tips for a cost-effective and immersive experience, catering to diverse traveler needs. Check attraction opening hours in advance for optimal planning. Have a great trip!