Yantai(625 views)

Release date:2010-06-12 16:29:37

Beaches, clean clear waters, great local wines, and rich history, with the exception of the latter, these are not among a visitor’s expectations of China but, in fact, all these things can be found in Yantai. The city of Yantai is situated on the coast of Shandong province and borders the cities of Qingdao and Weihai. Once called Chefoo, it has had considerable importance as a port both in terms of its fishing capabilities – it is the largest fishing seaport in Shandong – and its natural advantages as a naval base. In the late 19th century the village became a treaty port for the British but, by the early 20th century, power had been transferred to the Germans, who have left a considerable architectural legacy in the city. Between the world wars, the city was a summer base for the American navy fleet. The seafront was alive and vibrant, attracting the name ‘the Brighton of China’ but also attracting a reputation as a den of vice.

Yantai literally means ‘smoky mound’ and the name has an interesting reason behind it. The people of Yantai were frequently beset by raids from Japanese pirates during the Ming Dynasty. To warn everyone about the approach of these dangerous men, the locals would light fires with wolf dung upon a platform on the headland of Yantai Shan. Today, we can still see the Smoke Platform, a kind of stone oven that the Ming government constructed in 1398. There is a Dragon King temple beside it now and a tall lighthouse, brilliantly white against the blue sky, and these make up Yantai Hill Park. There are also other monuments such as the Revolutionary Martyrs' Cenotaph, a Stone Boat, Relang Pavilion, Guanhai Pavilion, as well as the old foreign embassies, which now house a variety of museums.

The view of the bay has something of a Mediterranean aspect and this feeling is complemented by a history of viniculture. The local Changyu Wine Company is over one hundred years old and now operates a museum dedicated to the development of viniculture in the region. In the underground cellars there is a bar where travelers can taste different varieties in the secluded and romantic ambience of cool caverns. Plan your visit to Yantai for September and you’ll be lucky to visit during the International Wine Festival, a vibrant event that is testimony to China’s growing importance as a consumer and producer of wine.

65 kilometres to the northwest of Yantai is a magical spot, the Penglai Pavilion. Around 1000 years old, the pavilion sits precariously upon a cliff. It is said that the Eight Immortals of Chinese mythology got drunk here and then embarked upon their journey to the Conference of the Magical Peach from this point. They each crossed the sea without boat using different tricks. During summer and autumn particularly, the atmospheric conditions of the spot make it perfect for viewing mirages, lending further to the magical mystique of Penglai. .

There are a number of good beaches in and around Yantai. No. 1 Bathing Beach is clean but it can get crowded. No.2 might give you more space to spread out your beach towel as not so many people come here but then that’s because it is a bit polluted. Golden Beach is around 30 minutes north by bus from downtown Yantai. There are a variety of activities there including an outdoor cinema, dune buggies, and a waterslide. Another place to visit is the Changdao Islands north of Penglai where there are countless, charming temples, limestone cliffs, and white sandy beaches. There is an admission fee of between 100 and 150RMB but it is well worth it. The Changdao Island chain also holds both a forest park and a nature reserve.

Yantai is an excellent spot to unwind for a few days – tour the remains of the city’s colonial past, soak up the sun at the beach, enjoy the city’s plentiful seafood, and get out and see the beautiful sights of Shangdong surrounding Yantai.

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