3-day self-driving tour in Yantai! Nanny-level guide and check-in recommendations

Had it not been for my stay in Penglai, I would have missed Penglai Pavilion. After all, it is the only one of the four ancient towers in China that still exists. —————— 🌊3-day Yantai highlights guide | Bookmark these niche photo spots! —————— 📍Route and itinerary recommendations: Day 1: Penglai Pavilion → Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea Scenic Area → Sanxianshan Scenic Area → Wencheng Castle Day 2: Tianma Pier → Time Tower → Lonely Whale → Not Lonely Whale → Housha Square Day 3: Yantai Mountain → Suochengli → Dongpao Platform → Fisherman's Wharf → Yangma Island —————— 📸[Must-visit attractions] ✅Three major scenic areas in Penglai District, CNY 198 for a combo ticket 1️⃣Penglai Pavilion: One of the four ancient towers in China ▫️Ticket: CNY 100, 2–3 hours ▫️Tips: Pets are not allowed · 2️⃣Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea Scenic Area: Man-made Gourd Island ▫️Ticket: CNY 40, 1–2 hours ▫️Tips: The entrance is a great place to feed seagulls · 3️⃣Sanxianshan Scenic Area: The mythical Sanxianshan ▫️Ticket: CNY 60, 2–3 hours ▫️Tips: Built to resemble a fairyland, magnificent and grand —————— ✅Yantai city check-in recommendations 1️⃣Golden Beach Seaside Park 👉Lonely Whale: Navigate to "City Exhibition Center" (free) 👉Not Lonely Whale: Next to Lonely Whale 👉Love Yantai Hall: White triangular church + beach silhouette ❤️Tips: The whale sculpture is least crowded at sunrise! · 2️⃣Moon Bay 👉Dongpao Platform: A well-preserved coastal defense facility in modern Chinese history, free to visit 👉Pier: Near Moon Bay, the longest pier in China 👉Transportation: Navigate to Moon Bay, free parking on the roadside ❤️Tips: The seaside boardwalk in Moon Bay is closed in winter · 3️⃣Yangma Island 👉Zhang Island: The most famous check-in spot on Yangma Island, you can stand on the reef, and aerial photography is even better 👉Sea Cave: One of the many caves on Yangma Island, sunlight can shine into the cave ❤️Tips: Drive counterclockwise, one-way, circular route —————— ⚠️Notes: ❶Wear non-slip shoes in the reef area of Yangma Island, especially in the sea cave, and be careful! ❷Yantai Mountain is closed in winter, and many attractions are inaccessible, so you may consider skipping it! ❸The seaside railway at Fisherman's Wharf is average, so navigate to "Lantian Hotel" instead