Yantai

Yantai is a coastal city in Shandong province in northeastern China, sitting along the waters of the Yellow Sea and Bohai Gulf. The city covers several districts, beaches and offshore islands spread across a long shoreline.

A watchtower against pirates was built here in the 14th century, later growing into a small trading post. With the opening of the port in the mid-19th century, foreign companies and consular offices moved in.

The name comes from the signal smoke fires that once burned along the coast to warn of attacks. Today many neighborhoods still show architecture from the time when merchants from Europe and Japan set up their trading posts here.

The different districts each have their own character, some with beaches and promenades, others with vineyards and orchards in the surrounding countryside. It works best to plan several days to explore the different areas along the coast.

On the Zhifu Peninsula there is a rock jutting from the sea that is woven into old seafaring tales. At some beaches you can watch seals in winter, resting here in groups.