Yantai (烟台 Yāntái) is a port city on the Shandong coast that still retains some of its colonial charm. The city is fairly small but there is a bustling development zone and large container and shipbuilding ports. There are a number of western expats working here on the docks and teaching English.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Yantai is home to Yantai Raffles (烟台莱福士船厂), which owns the largest shipbuilding crane in the world, towering over the eastern edge of the T shaped peninsula. Yantai is known for tasty fruit, especially cherries, apples, peaches and pears and is also the home of Changyu Wines, whose founder Zhang Bishi introduced viticulture and winemaking to China in 1892. The seaside is home to a promenade for walking or relaxing. Among the seaside attractions is a great water, light and sound show: nightly at the promenade. It is definitely worth seeing. Mandarin Chinese (普通话) is the lingua franca; the Yantai accent differs in tone distinction and is often described as gritty.
All bus lines only cost one yuan (¥1) as of January 2019. Besides cash, you can also use AliPay or 'Citizen Card' (市民卡) to pay. There are about 30 public bus lines in service. Bus Line No.10 and 17 are by far the most useful for travelers for sightseeing purposes. No. 10 goes from the railway station, then passes Nan Dajie and turns east down the coast. No. 17 goes from the railway station to the coast and all the way to the municipal government in newly developed Laishan District. No. 1 is also a good choice, as it crosses the centrepiece of Zhifu District. Taxi is a good means of going places with a flagfall fare of ¥8 (Although many taxis still have ¥7 posted).
1 Changyu Wine Culture Museum (张裕酒文化博物馆), 56 Dama Rd, Zhifu District (芝罘区大马路56号) (at the formal site of Chongyu Wine Company; take bus no. 3, 18 28, 38 or 61 and get off at the Changyu Museum bus stop; or, take bus no. 32, 43 or 46 and get off at the Yantai Hospital bus stop), ☏ +86 535 6632892. 08:00-17:00, no entry after 16:30. Traces the history of the winery from 18th century up to 21st century. Changyu was founded in 1892 as the first Western-style winery in China by Zhang Bishi (also known as Cheong Fatt Tze, known for his eponymous mansion in George Town, Malaysia). It has developed into a brand including brandy, red wine, vermouth and riesling white wine.
Summer - Escape the heat at the golden beaches of Yangma Dao (Horse-Raising Island), perfect for swimming and water sports. Enjoy cool sea breezes, vibrant night markets, and fresh seafood along the bustling coastal boulevard. It's the city's most lively and energetic season. There are two major beaches in Yantai, the First Beach (第一海水浴场) and Second Beach (第二海水浴场), and another one called Golden Beach in the Economic Development Zone (about 25 min from city centre). Winter - There is a skiing place in the Tashan Park during winter.Experience a serene coastal charm. Brave the crisp air for dramatic winter seascapes and frost-kissed beaches.
In fact, the local cuisine in Yantai is highly diverse. It encompasses Shandong cuisine, which is suitable for entertaining guests at gatherings, as well as fast food that aligns with international standards (McDonald's, KFC, Domino's). In different regions, each place boasts its unique cuisine. For instance, Muping District is renowned for its barbecue. Notable local specialties include sea cucumber soup (海参汤 Hǎishēn tāng), the "Yantai" variety of apple (烟台苹果 Yāntái píngguǒ), and sweet cherries (甜樱桃 Tián yīngtáo) 1 Jackies Cuisine (Jie Ke Xi Can Ting), Southeast Entrance of Orient Haitian Hotel, Laishan District, ☏ +86 535-6881800, jackiesyt@gmail.com.
Chaoyang Street is known as the Bar Street among the expats is the place to be seen in Yantai! Although it has a slightly seedy reputation within the city, Chaoyang Street is most definitely the expats' first port of call when feeling homesick. Trendy locals and ex-pats mix along the street, and for many westerners it's the only place where you can bump into other native English-speakers. 1 Bohemia Bar, Chaoyang Jie (on the corner of the northern, seaside-end of the street). A welcoming and relaxing western-owned joint to start an evening in. 2 Havana bar.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
In Aug, Yantai typically sees ~31°C daytime highs and 18 rainy days.
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