Penglai Autumn Off-the-Beaten-Path Tour: Avoid the Crowds and Enjoy a Comfortable Stroll

Autumn is truly the best time to visit Penglai! With most tour groups gone, the sea breeze is cool and refreshing without the crowds, and you can catch the fattest seafood of the season. This lesser-known itinerary is tried and true—just follow it and you won’t go wrong~ On the first day, don’t squeeze into the main Penglai Pavilion with the big crowds! Arrive around 8 a.m. and head straight to Tianheng Mountain. The cliffside plank road is crisp and refreshing in autumn, with the wind blowing as you watch the boundary between the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea. The water is bluer than in summer, and the sunlight sparkles on the sea like scattered gold. Best of all, there’s no crowding—you can take photos as long as you want. When tired, rest on the stone benches halfway up the mountain and listen to the waves crashing against the rocks. It’s ten times more comfortable than being packed inside the pavilion. For lunch, skip the popular noodle shops! In the old town, “Lao Wang Noodle Shop” is a local secret. A bowl of fish broth noodles costs just 5 yuan, with plenty of toppings, served with a side of pickled kelp. Slurping it down is so warming. The owner will chat with you and tell you that the autumn swimming crabs are just getting fat, suggesting you visit the seafood market in the afternoon to pick some. In the afternoon, visit the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea Scenic Area. By this time, most tour groups have left. The Eight Immortals Bridge, just after the morning mist clears, has a great vibe. The stone path is a bit damp and creaks underfoot, while the reed heads sway in the wind on both sides. Photos come out without random tourists, perfect for great shots. The spotted seals on Seal Island are especially active in autumn, sunbathing on the rocks. You don’t have to crowd around to see them, and you can chat with the keeper about their amusing stories. At dusk, be sure to visit Penglai Water City! Walk along the old city wall as the sunset dyes the brick-red walls golden. There are no noisy tourists, and you can hear your own footsteps. Stop at the cannon platform and watch the sun slowly sink into the sea. The water changes from blue to orange to purple, and any photo you take with your phone looks like wallpaper. On the second morning, rush to Sanshan Mountain—the autumn gardens are stunning! The leaves on the ancient trees are yellow and red, falling onto the bluestone paths. No one sweeps them, so they rustle underfoot. The Treasure Pavilion is quiet, allowing you to get close to the jade reclining Buddha. Sunlight streams through the window lattice, casting a warm glow on the jade. For lunch, avoid the shops at the entrance of Mozhikou Food Street. Walk further in to “Fisherman’s Small Restaurant,” where the owner steams freshly caught swimming crabs, filling the room with aroma. Order a plate of spicy stir-fried clams and a bowl of corn porridge—50 yuan per person and you’ll be stuffed. In the afternoon, stroll to the hometown of Qi Jiguang. The old alleys have few tourists, and locals sit at their doorsteps drying corn, greeting you warmly. Find a quiet corner to photograph the Ming Dynasty archway. The autumn sunlight slants in, casting long shadows, full of ancient charm. Before leaving, buy a bag of dried shrimp at the community supermarket—10 yuan for a big bag, cheaper and fresher than the souvenir shops. In autumn, there’s no need to rush your itinerary in Penglai. Take your time wandering and eating—that’s what a vacation is all about!