Yantai 4-Day Tour | Classic Combo of Penglai Fairyland and Yangma Island・All-Age Friendly Guide

Yantai is a city by the Yellow Sea, surrounded by mountains and sea. It boasts the ethereal Penglai Pavilion, the clear waters encircling Yangma Island, and the century-old consulate charm of Yantai Hill. Take the elderly to the seaside to hunt for shells, accompany children to build sandcastles on the beach—here, every day is a romantic symphony of the sea and history. 🗓️ Itinerary Overview Day 1: Arrive in Yantai → Yantai Hill → Chaoyang Street → First Seawater Bathing Beach Day 2: Penglai Pavilion → Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea Scenic Area → Penglai Ocean Polar World Day 3: Yangma Island → Mou Family Manor Day 4: Changdao (Crescent Bay + Jiuzhang Cliff) → Return 🌊 Day 1: First Encounter with Mountains and Sea · Old Town Flavors 📍 Yantai Hill (4A, Admission 50 RMB) Highlights: Yantai’s landmark, surrounded by sea on three sides, with former consulates of 17 countries. The lighthouse atop the hill offers a panoramic view of the Yellow Sea. Elderly can stroll along the wooden boardwalk, admire century-old trees and historic buildings; children can listen to stories at the Bingxin Memorial Hall and look for little crabs on the seaside rocks. 🕙 Opening Hours: 8:00-17:30, recommended 9:00-12:00 💰 Fees: Adults 50 RMB, free for seniors over 60, free for children under 1.4 meters 📸 Photo Spot: Viewing platform under the lighthouse (great for photos with people, lighthouse, and sea together; best light in the afternoon) 💡 Tips: Few stairs, suitable for elderly; rocks are slippery, hold children’s hands. 📍 Chaoyang Street (Free) Highlights: A century-old European-style street, must-visit for the popular “Yantai Wall” photo spot, and home to the Changyu Wine Culture Museum (admission 60 RMB). Elderly can sunbathe in cafes, children can buy ocean-themed souvenirs (shell pendants 20 RMB each). The street lights up beautifully at dusk. 🕙 Recommended Time: 14:00-16:00 📍 First Seawater Bathing Beach (Free) Highlights: A long-established city beach with gentle sand. Elderly can sit on beach chairs watching the waves (chair rental 30 RMB/day), children can dig sand and splash in the waves, and the whole family can try jet skiing (100 RMB/30 minutes). 🕙 Best Time: 17:00-19:00 (avoid midday sun) 🍜 Recommended Dining: “Yantai Old Restaurant” on Chaoyang Street, must-try braised prawns (68 RMB/serving) and seaweed buns (15 RMB/steamer), average 50 RMB per person, fresh seafood. 🏨 Recommended Accommodation: “Yantai Jinhaiwan Hotel” near Yantai Hill (family rooms available, 5-minute walk to the sea), prices 400-600 RMB/night, some rooms with sea views. 🏯 Day 2: Seeking Immortals in Penglai · Ocean Exploration 📍 Penglai Pavilion (5A, Admission 100 RMB) Highlights: One of China’s Four Great Towers, legendary site of the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea, where you can see the “mirage” phenomenon (mostly in summer). Elderly can take the electric cart (20 RMB/person) to the main pavilion and listen to the Eight Immortals’ stories; children can watch ancient warships in the “Water City” and climb the pavilion to view the boundary between the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea. 🕙 Opening Hours: 7:30-17:30, recommended 8:30-12:00 📸 Photo Spot: In front of the main pavilion (capture ancient architecture and sea; wearing Hanfu makes photos more striking) 📍 Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea Scenic Area (4A, Admission 80 RMB) Highlights: A small island surrounded by sea on three sides, with sculptures of the Eight Immortals by the shore. Elderly can enjoy tea and sea views at Wangying Tower, children can feed pigeons in the square (10 RMB/bag), and take a boat ride (50 RMB/person) for a close-up view of the island. 🕙 Recommended Time: 13:30-15:00 📍 Penglai Ocean Polar World (4A, Admission 150 RMB) Highlights: One of Asia’s largest aquariums, featuring beluga whales, penguins, polar bears, and must-see mermaid shows (11:00/15:00). Elderly can watch performances from the rest area, children can touch starfish in the “Touch Pool,” perfect for parent-child interaction. 🕙 Opening Hours: 8:00-17:00, recommended 15:30-17:00 💡 Tips: Reserve seats one hour before the show; elderly get priority seating in the front row. 🐎 Day 3: Island Fun · Manor History Tasting 📍 Yangma Island (Free, some activities charge fees) Highlights: The “Maldives of the East,” with a scenic ring road for self-driving (electric scooter rental 80 RMB/day). The clear sea water reveals spots like “Qinfeng Cliff” and “Lotus Bay.” Elderly can stroll on the seaside boardwalk, children can feed horses at “Tianma Square” (20 RMB/portion), and the sunset is stunning. 🕙 Recommended Time: 9:00-13:00 📸 Photo Spot: East side reef area of the island (capture waves crashing on rocks, people standing on the boardwalk) 💡 Tips: Bring your own lunch; island dining is expensive. Electric scooters can carry 2 adults and 1 child, saving effort. 📍 Mou Family Manor (4A, Admission 80 RMB) Highlights: The largest landlord manor in northern China, famous for exquisite “three carvings” (brick, wood, stone), known as the “Little Forbidden City of the Folk.” Elderly can listen to the rise and fall of the Mou family, children can play ancient games in the “Miss’s Building” and learn about Jiaodong folk customs. 🕙 Opening Hours: 8:00-17:00, recommended 14:30-16:30 🏝️ Day 4: Changdao Scenic Tour · Return Wrap-up 📍 Changdao (Combined ticket 180 RMB, includes Crescent Bay + Jiuzhang Cliff + ferry) Highlights: An archipelago in the Yellow Sea, Crescent Bay’s pebble beach is rare nationwide, and Jiuzhang Cliff offers breathtaking cliff sea views. Elderly can take the shuttle bus (50 RMB/person), children can collect colorful pebbles (allowed to take home), and listen to love legends at “Wangfu Reef.” 🕙 Recommended Time: 8:00-14:00 (early ferry departs at 7:00, 40-minute drive) 💡 Tips: Take motion sickness medicine in advance if prone to seasickness; strong UV on the island, everyone should apply sunscreen. 🍜 Recommended Dining: Changdao Fisherman’s Restaurant (seafood dumplings 30 RMB/serving, must-try mackerel dumplings), average 40 RMB per person. ✨ Yantai Survival Guide 1️⃣ Transportation: From downtown to Penglai by tourist bus (25 RMB/person, 1.5 hours), taxi about 150 RMB; to Yangma Island by bus 617 (2 RMB); to Changdao take ferry from Penglai Port (45 RMB/person). 2️⃣ Clothing: Wear windproof jackets in spring and autumn (sea breeze strong), short sleeves + sun protection clothing in summer (strong UV), down jackets + waterproof shoes in winter (biting sea wind), bring beach shoes (for shell hunting and water play). 3️⃣ Taboos: No loud noises inside Penglai Pavilion and temples; do not damage reef ecology when hunting shells; fishing prohibited on Changdao during closed season (May-September). 4️⃣ Accommodation: Stay in Yantai city for the first two days, one night in Penglai (seaview homestay 300-500 RMB/night), choose rooms with child safety fences for kids, elevator rooms for elderly. 🛍️ Must-Buy Souvenirs ① Yantai Apples (gift box 50 RMB/box, crisp, sweet, juicy, loved by elderly and children) ② Changyu Wine (small bottle 80 RMB/bottle, century-old brand, great for gifts) ③ Dried Seafood (dried shrimp, scallops, 50 RMB/jin, vacuum packed for easy carrying) ④ Shell Crafts (wind chimes 30 RMB each, ornaments 50 RMB/set, full of ocean vibes) The romance of Yantai is the fairy aura of Penglai Pavilion, the blue sea of Yangma Island, the laughter on the beach, and the fresh aroma of seafood. Whether watching the sunrise on Changdao with your parents, gazing into penguin eyes at the aquarium with your children, or raising a glass with friends on Chaoyang Street, there are plenty of reasons to want to stay here. If you come to Yantai, would you first seek the Eight Immortals in Penglai or head straight to Yangma Island to see the sea?