So far... my favorite coastal city has emerged~

When the glass-clear waters of Yangma Island meet the briny sea breeze at Hongli Fish Market, Yantai writes the romance of 37°N latitude with its 25°C ocean winds!

Legend of Penglai Fairyland × Industrial Coastal Vibes

June Highlights: Crystal-clear jelly-like waters during high tide season, cherry-picking freedom, and firefly wetland night tours!

Exclusive Easter Eggs: Private sunrise moments with the "Lonely Whale" sculpture at 5am, night fishing for fluorescent squid at Genghai No.1

🚄 How to Get There

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High-speed rail (Recommended!):
→ Beijing/Shanghai → Yantai South Station (4-5 hours, ¥250-350), take High-speed Rail Bus Line 1 directly to downtown (¥2)
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Flight: Yantai Penglai Airport → Airport shuttle to city center (¥25, 50 minutes)
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Driving Warning:
→ Yangma Island bans private vehicles during holidays! Must transfer to shuttle buses (¥25/person) or rent e-bikes (¥50/day)
→ Most coastal roads are one-way, enable "avoid steep slopes" in navigation

📅 3-Day Itinerary: From Ethereal Penglai to Seafood Delights

Day 1: Old Town Stroll｜Lighthouse × Historic Streets × Night Sea

▫️ 8:00
→ Yantai Mountain (Free, Lighthouse ¥10):
✅ Panoramic views of red roofs, green trees and blue sea from lighthouse
✅ Shoot archway silhouettes in former consulate buildings (light-colored dresses photograph best)

▫️ 10:30
→ Chaoyang Street (Free):
→ Try apple pie ice cream (¥15 at shop near Zhongshuge Bookstore)
→ Photograph panda doll wall + retro neon streetscape

▫️ Noon
→ Penglaichun Restaurant (¥60/person):
→ Juicy sea cucumber with scallions + Braised intestines (Century-old Shandong cuisine)

▫️ 15:00
→ Suochengli (Free):
→ Hunt for apple wood fridge magnets (¥25, intangible cultural heritage craft)
→ Try grilled cold noodles with mackerel fish paste (¥10 at alley stall)

▫️ Dusk
→ Fisherman's Wharf (Free):
✅ Catch 18:30 sunset for Spirited Away-style railway shots
✅ Night light show at Whale Shark Museum (stunning blue hour reflections)

🏨 Stay in Zhifu District: Atour Hotel (¥300+, walkable to Yantai Mountain)

Day 2: Island Adventure｜Whale Fall × Jelly Sea × Fluorescent Night Fishing

▫️ 5:30 (Worth waking up early!)
→ The Lonely Whale (Free):
→ Private sunrise moments with the whale fall sculpture, drone shots of "giant whale in sand"
→ Stop by Golden Beach's Yantai Chapel (glass house + waves)

▫️ 9:00
→ Yangma Island Loop (Free):
→ Rent e-bike for counterclockwise ride (¥50/day, check battery!)
✅ Zhang Island: Walk red plank road at low tide, shoot silhouettes in seashell caves
✅ Lotus Sunset: Frame tangerine-colored sea in rock cave (best in afternoon)
✅ Island Diary: Drink iced Americano at white house's second floor awaiting sunset

▫️ Night
→ Genghai No.1 (Night combo ticket ¥158):
→ Fish for fluorescent squid on "Ocean Necklace" (gear provided)
→ Stargaze in glass ocean house (reservation required)

Day 3: Fairyland Finale｜Cherry Freedom × Pink Beach

▫️ 7:00
→ Hongli Fish Market (Freshest 6-8am):
→ ¥20/live mantis shrimp + ¥10/sea urchin steamed eggs, second-floor processing (¥5/lb steaming)

▫️ 9:00
→ Zoujia Cherry Market (May-June only):
→ Unlimited Meizao cherries (¥25/lb, direct from farmers, sweet-sour burst)

▫️ 11:00
→ Libeng Island (Free):
→ Walk on pink shell beach (more visible at low tide)
→ Photograph rainbow road + windmill coastline

▫️ Souvenirs:
→ Xiwang Sausage (century egg filling ¥35/bag)
→ Changyu Cabernet (¥99 at wine museum, with custom labels)

🌟 Key TIPS

📸 Photography Secrets (June Exclusive)

Spot Time Pro Tip
Yangma Island Lotus Sunset Cave 17:30-18:30 Wide-angle low shot framing sunset horizon
The Lonely Whale 5:30-6:30 Telephoto to emphasize human-whale solitude
Fisherman's Wharf Tracks Blue hour 18:20 Capture waves washing over tracks

🍜 Must-Eat Food List

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Seafood Feast:
→ Wangjiao Fishing Village: Sea intestine rice (¥98 crispy juicy!) with mackerel dumplings
→ Jianxing Noodle Shop: Penglai noodles + fried cakes (¥4/bowl, opens 6am)
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Street Food:
→ Nanhong Street: Master's Pan-fried Buns (¥10/6) + Couple's Salted Egg Sushi
→ Guangxing Orchard: Fresh apple juice (¥10, first stop after landing)

⚠️ Pitfall Avoidance Guide

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Transport Traps:
→ Yangma Island e-bike deposits ¥300, photograph battery meter when returning
→ Penglai scenic area taxis double charge, insist on ride-hailing apps!
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Ticket Tricks:
→ Changyu Museum online tickets save ¥16 (¥80→¥64), student discounts
→ Beware "free Yangma Island entry" lies - island free but shuttle mandatory

💡 Hidden Gems

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Free Secrets:
→ Zhifu Island Land Bridge (July-Oct): "Zelda"-style rocky coast
→ West Coast Tide-pooling (check tide tables): Catch crabs + starfish (bring salt for razor clams)
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Local Experiences:
→ 3am fishing boat departure (Dongkou Pier ¥150/person): Sunrise + fishing breakfast
→ Kunyu Mountain Firefly Valley (Night tour ¥60): Peak late June-early July, wear mosquito-proof pants!

Yantai's magic lies in the neon blue of squid on Genghai's fishing rods, the sweet-sour burst of Meizao cherries in bamboo baskets, and that blazing sunset framed in Yangma Island's caves. Three days barely suffice to steal a handful of 25°C sea breeze between Penglai's fairy mist and the fish market's briny air🌊

P.S.: 24-Hour Seafood Clock

⏰ 5:00 Sea urchin steamed eggs with soy milk
⏰ 9:00 Penglai noodles + fried cakes
⏰ 12:30 Sea intestine rice (minimum 3 bowls)
⏰ 15:00 Chilled apple juice + grilled squid
⏰ 19:00 Spicy stir-fried scallops with draft beer
⏰ 22:00 Night-caught squid with wasabi soy sauce