About Yantai
What to see and do in Yantai
Weather in Yantai
Airport in Yantai
Visa
Yantai (pinyin: Yant'i) is a prefecture-level city in northeastern Shandong province, People's Republic of China. Located on the southern coast of the Bohai Sea and the eastern coast of the Laizhou Bay, Yantai borders the cities of Qingdao and Weihai to the southwest and east respectively.
The largest fishing seaport in Shandong and a robust economic center today, Yantai used to be known to the West as Chefoo, a misnomer which refers, in Chinese, solely to Zhifu Island, which is historically governed by Yantai.
The contemporary name of Yantai came from the watchtowers constructed on Mount Qi in 1398, during the reign of the Hongwu Emperor, founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty (yan'smoke; tai'tower). The towers served to raise alarms against invasions of Japanese pirates.
Yantai is a small sleepy port city on the Shandong coast that to this day 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.
Yantai is home to Yantai Raffles, which owns the largest ship building crane in the world, towering over the eastern edge of the T shaped peninsula. Yantai is known for having the best fruits in China, especially cherries, apples, peaches and pears. Yantai is also the home of Changyu Wines.
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.
If you are the shopping type, Three Stations (pronounced in Mandarin like: San Jang; taxi drivers all know it well) market has almost everything you can imagine, including chinese cultural nicknacks, calligraphy sets, silk paintings, tea houses, and tea shops, sculpture and statue shops, as well as many computer outlet markets, clothing shops, furniture stores, and department stores.
The moon man is just south east of the main beach, and this year (2008) there will be weddings all year round going on there.
Because of its fair weather and extensive coasts Yantai is a popular summer retreat. It is also home to Asia's first bowling alley, which is no longer in operation. But there is the haunted house on the fourth floor of Parksons, a highly exhilarating tourist attraction.
Penglai City's Dan Cliffs is said to be the departure point of the Eight Immortals on their trip to the Conference of the Magical Peach.
The Bus No.17 is a sightseeing bus, which goes along the Binhai Road and passes many attractions in Yantai City. Among them, the Changyu Wine Culture Museum, the First Bathing Beach, the Crescent Bay and the Second Bathing Beach are quite famous. Additionally, the Yantaishan Scenic Area is located just near the Zhangyu Wine Museum and can easily be visited.
The bus first passes the Zhangyu Wine Museum. In 1892, the Zhangyu Wine Company, which is the largest wine production base in China, even in Asia, was set up by the merchant Zhang Bishi. Today's Zhangyu Wine Museum was built in 1992 at the old site of Zhangyu Wine Company. In it many different kinds of wines can be tasted. After visiting this museum, the Yantaishan Scenic Area can be visited. This area is centred around the base of the Yantaishan Mountain. Because the name of Yantai comes from this mountain, this scenic area has become a symbol of this city. The mountain is 53 meters (170 feet) above sea level with the sea on the three sides. Seen from a distance, lush trees grow on it and the antique architecture dots among them. From its peak a good view of the whole city can be seen.
The bus then passes the First Bathing Beach, the Crescent Bay and the Second Bathing Beach. The two bathing beaches are open to the public. There the beautiful seaside scenery can be enjoyed.
The Bus No.58 passes by the Tashan Scenic Area, the Nanshan Park and the Yuhuangding Park. Bus No.3, 23 or 45 also pass the Nanshan Park and the Yuhuangding Park.
The Tashan Scenic Area was built on the Tashan Mountain. This scenic area is famous for its strong religious atmosphere. Buddhist architecture, like the Taiping Nunnery, Sanhe Tower and the Guanyin Pavilion, were built on this mountain. Nanshan Park, which was built around Nanshan Mountain is located in the central area of Yantai and many locals go there for leisure activities. The next stop is Yuhuangding Park whose green area accounts for over 50% of this park.
Kongdong Island
The central district of Yantai City, Zhifu District, was built on Kongdong Island.
Facing Yantai, it is 10.08 kilometers (6.26 miles) away from the city and is shaped
like the letter "T". It is surrounded by a series of small islands. Among those islands,
are the distinctive Turtle and Crane islands.
How to get there: From the port at the north end of the Shengli Road take the boat to Kongdong Island.
The Yangma Island
The Yangma Island, which has the name "the Eastern Hawaii", lies in the Muping District,
Yantai. There the scenery is very splendid and the island is very abundant in various
seafood.How to get there: Take the bus to Mouping from the Yantai Coach Bus
Terminal and then transfer to the bus to the Yangma Island.
Penglai Pavilion Scenic Area Penglai Pavilion Scenic Area is in Penglai, on the north end of the Jiaodong Peninsula. In the ancient times, this place was called "fairy land" because the mirage (optical illusion caused by hot air conditions, esp. that of a sheet of water seeming to appear in the desert or on a hot road) appears very often there. There the Penglai Pavilion, the Ancient Ship Museum and the Penglai Water City can be seen.
How to get there: Take the bus to Penglai from the Yantai Coach Bus Terminal first. The bus departs from 06:00 to 18:00 at 20 minute intervals. And after arriving at the Penglai Coach Bus Station, it is possible to walk to the scenic area.
The Changdao Island
The Changdao Island Scenic Area, situated in the Changdao County, Yantai,
includes the Fujiao Park, the Jiuzhangya Scenery Spot, the Crescent Bay Scenic
Spot and the Forest Sea Park. Furthermore, some special festivals are held there
annually, such as the Fishing Culture Day and the Sun Day.
How to get there: Take the boat to Changdao Island in Penglai. The boat departs from 06:30 to 17:30 at 40 or 50 minute intervals.
Yantai is located in North China, monsoons regulate the climate, keeping it warm and humid. The average annual temperature is 11.8 C (53.24 F). Fruits and vegetables are plentiful in Yantai, and the long coastline and over 60 islands make the area ideal for any seafood connoisseur - sea-cucumbers, abalones, scallops, crabs and prawns, are all easily available. Yantai's earth is rich with resources as well - its gold reserve, in particular, has the highest output in China.
January -3 C to 2 C
February -2 C to 4 C
March 2 C to 8 C
April 8 C to 16 C
May 13 C to 21 C
June 18 C to 26 C
July 22 C to 28 C
August 22 C to 28 C
September 19 C to 25 C
October 14 C to 19 C
November 6 C to 11 C
December 0 C to 5 C
Yantai Laishan International Airport (IATA: YNT, ICAO: ZSYT) is an airport in Yantai, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
The airport is about 15 kilometers (9.32 miles) away from Yantai and began operations in October of 1984. Covering over 45.79 acres, the airport now has opened around 20 domestic air routes, with international routes available to Seoul, Osaka, and Hong Kong.
Yantai Laishan Airport (YNT), located in Laishan Town, Yantai City, is 15 kilometers (9.32 miles) away from Yantai. Air service began in October of 1984. Now, more than 20 domestic air routes have been opened to such cities as Beijing, Shanghai, Harbin, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Guilin, Harbin, Jinan, Hangzhou, and Kunming. In addition, there is international service to Seoul, Pusan (in South Korea), Osaka (in Japan) and Hong Kong.
After arriving at Laishan Airport, you can take the airport shuttle or a taxi to the city. The charge of taking the airport shuttle is around RMB 10 per person and its terminal is at the Yantai Railway Station (No.128 Beima Road). A taxi to the city will cost about RMB 40. If you want to depart Yantai for other places, you can take the airport shuttle in front of the CAAC Building or at Yantai Railway Station two hours ahead of your flight.
How to get the CAAC Building: It's located at No.78 Dahaiyang Road, Yantai. You can take the bus No.9 or 19.How to get the Yantai Railway Station: Take the bus No.3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 17, 18, 21, 42, 43, 44, 49, 50, or 58.
The main branches of CAAC Ticket Office:
Dahaiyang Branch
Location: No.6 Dahaiyang Road, Zhifu District, Yantai
CAAC Building Branch Location: No.78 Dahaiyang Road, Zhifu District, Yantai
Laishan Branch
Location: No.3 Qingquan Road, Laishan District, Yantai
Xingfu Branch
Location: No.50 Xingfu Road (Middle), Zhifu District, Yantai
Some Useful Phone Numbers:
Airport Inquiry Office: 0535- 6299138
Airport Complaint: 0535-6583251
Airlines and destinations
Air China (Beijing-Capital, Shanghai-Hongqiao)
Asiana Airlines (Seoul-Incheon)
China Eastern Airlines (Beijing-Capital, Osaka-Kansai, Seoul-Incheon, Shanghai-Hongqiao)
China Southern Airlines (Chengdu, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Shanghai-Hongqiao, Shenyang, Yanji, Busan)
Korean Air (Seoul-Incheon)
Kunpeng Airlines (Xi'an)
Shandong Airlines (Beijing-Capital, Changchun, Dalian, Harbin, Jinan, Seoul-Incheon, Shanghai-Hongqiao, Shenyang)
Shanghai Airlines (Shanghai-Hongqiao)
To be able to travel to Yantai you need to have a valid China Visa, issue from your local government at the China Embassy, Chinese visa fall into four types: diplomatic visa, courtesy visa, service visa and ordinary visa. Ordinary visa is further divided into the following 8 categories each marked with a letter: (1) Tourist and family visit visa (L-visa) is issued to a foreign citizen who comes to China for tourist purpose, family visit or other personal affairs.
(2) Business Visa (F-visa ) is issued to a foreign citizen who is invited to China for visit, research, lecture, business, exchanges in the fields of science, technology, education, culture and sports, or attending various kinds of trade fairs or exhibitions, or short-term study, intern practice for a period of no more than 6 months.
(3) Student Visa (X-visa) is issued to a foreign citizen who comes to China for the purpose of study or advanced study for a period of six or more months.
(4) Work Visa (Z-visa) is issued to a foreign citizen who comes to China to work and his or her accompanying family members, or to give commercial performances in China.
(5) Transit Visa (G-visa) is issued to a foreign citizen who is to transit through China on his or her way to a third country (or region).
(6) Crew Visa(C-visa)is issued to crew member performing his/her duties on board an international train, or on an international airliner, to a sailor on board an international ocean-liner or freighter, and also to their accompanying family members..
(7) Journalist Visa (J-visa)is issued to foreign journalists. J-visa has two categories: J-1 visa and J-2 visa. J-1 visa is issued to resident foreign journalists in China and their accompanying spouses and under-age children, J-2 visa to foreign journalists who visit China for temporary news coverage.
(8) Permanent Residence Visa(D-visa)is issued to a foreign citizen who has been approved by China's public security authority to reside in China permanently.
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free download of basic survival Chinese conversation in China.