Yantai Travel Guide

Chinese Name: 烟台 (yān tái)
Population: 7,138,000
Area: 13,746.5 square kilometers (5,307.6 square miles)
Location: in the northeast of Shandong Province, east China
Administrative Division: 4 districts (Zhifu, Fushan, Mouping and Laishan); 1 county (Changdao); 7 county-level cities (Penglai, Laiyang, Haiyang, Longkou, Laizhou, Zhaoyuan and Qixia)
Area Code: 0535
Zip Code: 264000
GDP (2019): CNY 765.345 billion (USD 110.936 billion)  

The city is located in the northeast of the Shandong Province. It is bordered by both the Yellow Sea and the Bohai Sea, and lies across from South Korea and Japan. The boundless beaches, clear sea, fantastic islands, Penglai Pavilion famous as the place where the legend eight immortals crossing the sea occurred and the mirage make Yantai a famous tourist resort at home and abroad.

Yantai is rich in sea products and fruits, such as apples, pears and cherries. Wine is another special product. Yantai is titled international grape and wine city because it has the first Chinese industrial wine production enterprise - Zhangyu Company which has made outstanding contributions to the rapid development of the Chinese wine industry.

In 2004, China Central Television (CCTV) recognized Yantai as the most "Charming City of China." Although Yantai is not a metropolis like Beijing and Shanghai, it has its own unique charm. Adding to the draw of local natural resources, the picturesque scenery in and around the city has earned the area acclaim by the United Nations, which lists it as one of the most habitable places in the world. Undulating hills rise above the area's many rivers, and are framed by beaches and neighboring islands.

 Changyu Wine Culture Museum
 Penglai Pavilion Scenic Area
 

Today, with the city's rapid economic development, facilities here are improving, and transportation is becoming more and more convenient. Ships, trains, airplanes, buses and taxis have modernized daily life and attract tourists to Yantai.

Although located in North China, monsoons regulate the climate, keeping the area warm and humid. The average annual temperature of Yantai weather is 11.8C (53.24F).

 History: Evidence suggests Yantai existed as a city as long as 10,000 years ago. It was visited three times by the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty, Qinshihuang (259BC-210BC). During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) a fire platform, called Langyantai Platform, was constructed on the northernmost city hill, as a means of defense against pirates. General Qi Jiguang of the Ming Dynasty fought against pirates using this platform, and developed Penglai Water City, a navy base which remains well-preserved to this day.

 Special Local Products: Fruits and vegetables are plentiful, 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. The earth here is rich with resources as well - its gold reserve, in particular, has the highest output in China.

 Foods: Local food here is well-known all around China. Local cooks take advantage of area's abundant sea food, vegetables and fruits, creatively crafting tasty dishes. Yantai is also the cradle of wine production in China, housing the largest wine production base in Asia. With its high quality and more than 100-years of history, Zhangyu Red Wine produced here is a widely known brand in China and abroad. In 1987, the International Grape and Wine Bureau dubbed the city the "International Grape and Wine City." Nowadays, the Changyu Wine Culture Museum in the city records the wine's history and culture.

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 Further Reading: