Traveling to Yantai with Parents｜Three Days Two Nights Real Guide｜Avoid the Crowds for a Slow Life by the Mountains and Sea

As an experienced "family travel butler" who often travels with parents, this time I customized a Yantai itinerary for my parents that blends history and culture, natural scenery, and authentic local cuisine all into three days. Even my picky dad praised, "The arrangement is so comfortable!" Sharing this zero-fail, super authentic guide—just copy this when you bring your parents to Yantai～ 📅 Itinerary Overview Day 1: Leisurely city tour (Yantai Hill → Chaoyang Street → First Seawater Bathing Beach → Moon Bay) Day 2: Penglai Wonderland (Penglai Pavilion → Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea Scenic Area) Day 3: Island Healing (Yangma Island loop → Haichang Fisherman’s Wharf) 🚗 Transportation Guide 1. Major transport: - ✈️ Yantai Penglai International Airport: About 40 minutes by taxi to the city center, costing around 100 RMB. - 🚄 Yantai Station: Prefer this one, closer to attractions (South Station is too far, not recommended). 2. City transport: - Private car hire: Highly recommended! The first choice for traveling with parents is hiring a local driver (recommend Master Gao, 10 years driving experience, familiar with all off-the-beaten-path routes). Three days cost about 1000-1500 RMB (GL8 business vehicle, including fuel and parking fees, about 100 RMB per person per day), much more worry-free than self-driving! - Bus: Get the "Yantai e-card" on Alipay, but attractions are scattered, so fewer transfers are recommended when traveling with elderly. 🏨 Accommodation Recommendations - 📍 Penglai Huaxi Hotel (Penglai Pavilion branch): Only a 10-minute walk to Penglai Pavilion, the hotel has barrier-free access, elevators, and spacious family rooms. Breakfast is rich and suits elderly tastes. - 📍 Yantai Lijing Overseas Chinese Hotel: Located next to the First Seawater Bathing Beach, some rooms have sea-view balconies. The restaurant serves authentic seafood and Shandong cuisine, with attentive service (they proactively ask if soft food is needed). 🍜 Food Map (Tested and No Fail!) 1. Breakfast: - Penglai Noodles: 4 RMB/bowl scallop broth noodles, a must-eat breakfast! Recommend Jianxing Noodle House (locals have eaten here since childhood, avoid peak hours 8-9 am). 2. Main meals: - Little Red Whale: Must order sea cucumber rice (crispy and juicy) and mackerel dumplings (large and thin-skinned, parents kept eating one after another), remember to ask the waiter for a low-salt version. - Sanheyuan Dumplings: Century-old brand, squid dumplings and yellow croaker dumplings are worth trying, about 50 RMB per person for a full meal. 3. Seafood processing: - Hongli Fish Market: Buy fresh seafood (crabs, mantis shrimp, scallops) at the morning market, then find nearby restaurants to cook (processing fee 10-20 RMB/dish), half the price of scenic spots! 🌅 In-depth Attractions Play (with Parents’ Exclusive Tips) Day 1: Zhifu District Old Town Slow Life - ⛰️ Yantai Hill (free, tower climb 10 RMB): - How to play: Stroll through former consulate sites of various countries, take family photos under the lighthouse (background of blue sea and sky is super healing). - Tips: There are many viewing benches on the hill, rest anytime if tired; the tower stairs are steep, elderly are advised to take photos at the base. - 🏮 Chaoyang Street: - Feature: European-style old street, recommend having afternoon tea at Huixianlou (window seats with street view), parents love photographing vintage buildings. - 🌊 First Seawater Bathing Beach & Moon Bay: - Evening walk: Take parents for a stroll on the beach at sunset, check in at the Moon Old Man statue, the sea breeze on the boardwalk is super comfortable. Day 2: Penglai Wonderland Cultural Tour - 🏯 Penglai Pavilion (ticket 100 RMB, free for 60+): - Tour route: Zhenyang Gate → Main Pavilion → Su Gong Shrine → Shelter Pavilion → Yellow Bohai Sea boundary viewing platform. - Must experience: - Guided tour: Recommend hiring a scenic area guide (100 RMB/group), listening to the Eight Immortals legend while touring is more interesting. - Cable car overlook: One way 40 RMB, elderly enjoy half price, the aerial view of the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea scenic area and coastline is stunning. - Pitfall warning: Souvenirs inside the scenic area are expensive, recommend buying Eight Immortals themed cultural products on "Dengzhou Ancient Street" after leaving the park. - 🏝️ Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea Scenic Area (ticket 80 RMB, half price for 60+): - Highlights: Blend of ancient architecture and sea views, recommend walking the wooden boardwalk to "Eight Immortals Bridge," feed seagulls, and take panoramic photos of the "Treasure Gourd." - Energy-saving tip: The scenic area is not large, about 1.5 hours walking, wear comfortable shoes; free wheelchair rental at the entrance (deposit required). Day 3: Yangma Island Island Healing Time - 🐎 Yangma Island loop (free): - Transport: Private car loop is most convenient (driver will recommend best parking spots); electric scooter rental is available (50 RMB/day, but not recommended with elderly due to strong sea wind and risk of catching cold). - Must-stop spots: - Zhang Island: Rocky beach meets glassy sea, perfect for great photos (there are sunshades for rest). - Qin Feng Cliff: Spectacular waves below the cliff, just enjoy the view from the observation deck with parents. - Lotus Sunset: Soft light from 4-5 pm, gentle beach perfect for a walk. - Lunch recommendation: Eat freshly caught seafood at island fishermen’s restaurants, recommend "Xinyang Restaurant," the owner is honest, portions are large and fresh. - 🐋 Haichang Fisherman’s Wharf (stop by on the way): - Feature: Little Venice style buildings, take parents on the carousel (relive childhood), visit the whale shark aquarium (indoor, good for escaping heat). 💡 Practical Tips for Traveling with Parents 1. Itinerary pace: Arrange 1-2 core attractions per day, return to hotel for 1-2 hours rest after lunch to avoid tiring the elderly. 2. Health protection: - Strong UV by the sea, bring sun hats, sunscreen, sunglasses; sea breeze is strong, bring light jackets (temperature difference between morning and evening is obvious). - Eat seafood moderately, bring stomach medicine (recommend "Montmorillonite powder"); elderly with chronic diseases should carry their regular medicine. 3. Photo tips: - Download the "Xingtu" app in advance, use "film filter" to color-correct parents’ photos for full vintage feel. - Capture candid moments: like parents holding hands on the beach, feeding seagulls together, more heartwarming than posed shots. 4. Spending reminders: - Bottled water in scenic areas costs 5 RMB/bottle, recommend bringing your own water bottle (hot water available at hotels). - Souvenirs around Penglai Pavilion are overpriced, recommend buying at city supermarkets. 💰 Budget Reference (2 adults 1 child) - Transport: Private car 3 days 1200 RMB + round-trip major transport (high-speed train/plane) about 2000 RMB. - Accommodation: Sea-view hotel 2 nights about 1500 RMB (250 RMB per person per night). - Meals: Main meals about 80 RMB per person per meal, about 1000 RMB for 3 days. - Tickets: Penglai Pavilion + Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea + Yangma Island (free) ≈ 200 RMB (more savings with elderly free tickets). - Total: About 5000-6000 RMB, excellent cost performance! 📌 Real Experience Sharing - Private driver: Master Gao is not only a driver but also "half a tour guide," proactively recommending local favorite restaurants and helped us find quiet, beautiful photo spots on Yangma Island. - Penglai Pavilion guide: Guide Auntie Wang was very patient, slowed down when telling historical stories, and taught parents to identify mythical beast carvings on ancient buildings. - Pitfall experience: Never buy "freshly grilled squid" at the scenic area entrance, expensive and not fresh; when buying seafood at Hongli Fish Market, watch the vendor’s scale carefully (some stalls cheat). The beauty of Yantai lies in the poetic coexistence of mountains and sea, and even more in the slow, everyday human warmth. Bringing parents here, no need to rush attractions—just enjoy the sea breeze, eat seafood, and chat about family—that’s the happiest travel time～