The cities around the Bohai Bay are all incredibly worth visiting. The sea is crystal clear blue, seafood is cheap and delicious. Although Shandong Province belongs to East China, for Northerners looking to enjoy the sea, this is still the best choice.
When you first visit the Bohai Bay, you might choose between Qingdao and Dalian. For a second visit, I recommend Weihai and Yantai.
Previously, when I talked about Yantai (review here), several shareholders in the comments recommended Weihai to me.
Like other coastal cities I’ve been to, Weihai is not large, but the sense of happiness is truly strong.
Its location is unbeatable—bordered by the Bohai Sea to the north and the Yellow Sea to the south, at the easternmost tip of the Jiaodong Peninsula, surrounded by the sea on three sides (Qingdao and Yantai only have one or two sides facing the sea). With just a bit of sunshine, it can be breathtakingly beautiful.
And I think the best “attraction” in Weihai can’t be contained by walls.
A coastal road can circle Weihai for 270°. A weekend drive to the beach to see the sea is easier than finding your favorite ice cream flavor in a convenience store.
Objectively speaking, Weihai’s tourism resources are still behind Qingdao and Yantai (after all, it’s smaller). But if you talk about food, Weihai locals can stand tall!
Among countless coastal cities,
Weihai’s Rongcheng is the only one crowned “China’s Famous City for Marine Food.”
Even humble kelp can be turned into a culinary masterpiece through various cooking methods.
Every winter, the “Oyster Feast” in Weihai’s Rushan
successfully tempts a batch of foodies.
Even the title of “China’s Capital of Sea Cucumber”
has been snatched from Dalian and Yantai.
Moreover, Weihai is only about 400 kilometers away from Seoul, making it one of the closest cities to South Korea in our country.
Seafood stalls everywhere also offer countless Korean dishes, and any random place is authentic.
After the peak season in July and August, hotel and flight prices plummet, and seafood floods the market. For someone like me who eats wherever I go, visiting the seaside now might be even more seasonally appropriate than during summer vacation.
🌊
Let’s Go! Visit Weihai to See the Sea
Why is Weihai a great place to see the sea? Although Weihai is only half the size of Qingdao, its coastline is much longer, accounting for one-third of the entire coastline of Shandong Province.
Among the northern cities suitable for sea viewing, Weihai’s sea is much cleaner than Beidaihe’s, and its beaches are less crowded and more peaceful compared to Qingdao’s.
In terms of scenery and recreational value, I believe Weihai ranks among the top tier in northern China for sea viewing.
Moreover, Weihai is a city where you don’t need to join a tour group. The best way to explore is by self-driving along the coast.
CCTV has featured the “Thousand-Mile Mountain-Sea Self-Driving Highway,” which is 1,001 kilometers long, stretching from Weihai’s urban area to the city of Rongcheng. About 95% of Weihai’s scenic spots are along this route.
Completing the entire route isn’t necessary; most iconic attractions are concentrated in the northern part, and I’ve marked the popular spots on the map. Public transportation is feasible, but it’s not as free and flexible as driving.
As for specific attractions, I highly recommend three: Naxianghai, International Beach, and Chengshantou.
Naxianghai, with 16 kilometers of coastline and 2.5 kilometers of sandy beach, can be roughly understood as a less artistic version of Aranya.
The “hardware” of Naxianghai as a beach resort—good sand quality and water quality—makes it a paradise mostly for locals even during peak seasons.
The resort area includes numerous hotels, restaurants, shops, cinemas, clubs, and even its own hospital and forest park. Various recreational activities are available on the beach, making it a time-saving and labor-saving option, perfect for families with kids.
Both International Beach and Naxianghai are beach resorts. How to choose between them?
Geographically, International Beach is closer to the coastal road and nearby attractions, making it convenient and well-equipped.
The downside is that it’s likely the most crowded of Weihai’s beaches, though it should improve after the summer vacation.
Naxianghai, on the other hand, is indeed farther from the bustling tourist areas, making it more inconvenient without a car.
The advantages have been mentioned above: fewer tourists, cleaner beaches, and it’s more photogenic, giving a slight Aranya vibe.
Choose based on your actual situation; you only need to pick one.
Chengshantou, along with Liugong Island and International Beach, is known as one of “Weihai’s Three Major Scenic Spots.” It’s a must-visit spot, with the sea across from South Korea.
Such a geographically significant spot naturally includes watching a “Chinese sea sunrise” among its activities. Chengshantou’s sunrise is renowned alongside those of Sanya’s Yalong Bay and Keelung’s Yehliu in Taiwan.
The sea cable car at Chengshantou is a must-ride.
The backdrop of the cable car is the magnificent view of mountains and sea, and on hot days, there is a high probability of encountering the spectacular sight of advection sea fog.
The cable car is divided into two directions: one towards the mountain peak and the other towards Motianling. The Motianling section offers views of the sea, while the Chengshantou section offers views of the mountains. The highlight is the approximately ten-minute journey from A to B. Be careful not to buy the wrong ticket. (I don’t think the Chengshantou section is particularly worth seeing; if you want to save energy, you can continue on the cable car, otherwise, it’s not necessary.)
Apart from the land attractions, Weihai is also suitable for choosing an island to explore.
Weihai has 168 islands of various sizes, far exceeding neighboring Qingdao and Yantai. The three best-developed tourist islands are Liugong Island, Jiming Island, and Hailu Island.
The most historically significant site in Weihai is undoubtedly Liugong Island.
This was once the founding place of the Beiyang Navy, the ancient battlefield of the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, and also one of the “Seven Sons” mentioned in Mr. Wen Yiduo’s poem “Seven Sons’ Song.”
The tour route on the island is relatively straightforward: the Exhibition Hall of the Museum of the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895 → Liugong Island Expo Park → Whale Museum → National Forest Park → Museum of the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895 → Ding Ruchang’s Residence → Panda Pavilion → Pavilion of Sika Deer and Reeves’s Muntjac. The content is very rich and educational.
Boats to Liugong Island are very convenient, with one departing every ten minutes or so. To fully explore Liugong Island, you will need at least half a day.
If you still have energy after disembarking from Liugong Island, you can visit Xingfu Park.
While Liugong Island holds high historical value and status, personally, I prefer Jiming Island the most.
The round-trip boat ticket and entrance fee to Jiming Island are 88 yuan per person. It’s a good idea to prepare some snacks in advance, as you can feed the seagulls from the deck of the boat.
The island’s residences are charming thatched cottages, and there are also architecturally impressive buildings.
The popular Cliffside Café and Cliffside Library offer large windows with beautiful views of cliffs, the sea, and rocks, making them very photogenic.
Jiming Island is not large; a full circuit around the island is about 3 km, and it takes about 3-4 hours to explore.
Consumption on the island is on the higher side, but not exorbitant, so there’s no need to stay in the island’s guesthouses.
Why not recommend Xiaoshi Island as the starting point for the coastal road?
Its location is excellent, but the beach quality is far inferior to that of the International Bathing Beach and Naxiang Beach, making it unsuitable for swimming. Xiaoshi Island is famous for stargazing.
If you visit Weihai in winter, I strongly recommend a trip to Yandunjiao Village.
Though not well-known outside, it is famous in China as the Swan Village. Every winter, hundreds of swans from Siberia migrate here to overwinter, creating a scene that feels like a scene from the fairy tale “Swan Lake.”
They basically stay in Yandunjiao from November to April of the following year. During this period, there are designated personnel responsible for feeding the swans daily. At this time, the swans gather around, making it the best time for photography.
Moreover, the architecture in the village is quite unique. There are over 1300 traditional thatched houses characteristic of the Jiaodong region in Yandunjiao, which you can explore in just a few tens of minutes.
If it’s not the time when swans overwinter, driving to Yandunjiao can be a bit far (it’s a bit isolated as a single attraction, and it takes about 0.5 hours from Chengshantou).
Not far from the coastal road is the Jinshiwan Art Park, where several new thatched houses have been built. 90% of the thatched houses that people take photos of on Xiaohongshu are here, perfect for striking a pose.
The northern route includes a coastal highway called the Coastal Road, which you will definitely pass by and is also the most scenic stretch.
The Coastal Road stretches from Dongshan Hotel in the east to Xiaoshi Island in the west, covering over 40 kilometers with many slopes and bends. It is also a dedicated track for the triathlon, and many people come here for cycling and exercise.
🦀
Seafood! Korean cuisine! Dig in!
No matter how profound Shandong cuisine is, when you come to these cities around the Bohai Bay, seafood is definitely the highlight.
Weihai may not be as famous as Yantai, let alone Qingdao, but when it comes to seafood, it’s all about “large quantities and great value.” After September, various seafood delicacies start to appear on the table, so it’s time to indulge!
Illustration: @Q
Shihai Steamed Freshness · Wendeng Barbecue
📍Huancui District, Huoju Road 171-28
💰￥100/person
When consulting with local friends, they suggested that I could pack light but, if possible, bring a pot.
I definitely won’t bring a pot, but I must try the steamed seafood.
After all, in Weihai, no matter the size of the seafood, its best fate is to be steamed in a pot over high heat.
Image: @Snow White Little Lamb
The owner of Shihai Steamed Freshness is a local from Weihai, and they do a good job in controlling the quality of the seafood.
The amount of seafood served at the table is much larger than I expected, and the variety is incredibly rich, as if the entire sea has been fished out. It’s perfect for someone like me who can’t make up their mind. The steamed seafood has a lot of juice and is incredibly fresh, highly recommended!
Image: @CXkitten
**Image Weihai**
📍No. 81 Qingdao Middle Road, Huancui District
💰￥100/person
There are so many delicious restaurants in Weihai that I could talk to you for three days without finishing. Therefore, this time I tried to select places that specialize in different seafood preparations.
Although Weihai’s seafood is already excellent and tastes great simply steamed, Jiaodong cuisine’s seafood dishes are also a strong point.
I hesitated between Jiuxi and Image Weihai, but eventually chose the latter. The grand environment of the entire building was a plus.
Mackerel in this season is delicious no matter how it’s prepared, and the enormous portion of sea intestine fried rice is never enough. None of the dishes I ordered were disappointing. Besides the busy business that requires waiting for a table, Image Weihai is flawless.
Image: @
**Bai Xing Seafood Barbecue**
📍50 meters south of the intersection of Memorial Road and Hangzhou Street, Huancui District
💰￥80/person
This place was recommended by friends from out of town who visited Weihai. Although it ranks first on the review list, it initially gained recognition from locals for every meal, so the ranking is well-deserved.
The environment is that of a humble eatery, but the advantages are fresh seafood and very reasonable prices, making it highly cost-effective.
Image: @angel9902
Their specialty is seafood barbecue and local-style home-cooked dishes. The seafood seasoning is not heavy, maintaining a standard level of deliciousness.
Moreover, their service is also a plus. The owner is too enthusiastic, making me want to order more dishes! (Of course, the low prices also play a role.)
Image: @
**Fang Guo Laotou Baozi Small Boat Seafood**
📍No. 22 Sifang Road, Huancui District (Intersection of Tashan Road)
💰￥110/person
Although the shop is named “Baozi” (), it’s not the kind of water-fried buns you have for breakfast.
The reason why the baozi from the old man Fang Guo’s place are so famous for their deliciousness is that the fillings are exceptionally luxurious.
The most beloved seafood in Weihai, such as mackerel, sea cucumber, and cuttlefish, as well as signature ingredients like kidney beans, spare ribs, and seaweed, can all be found in their baozi.
Image: @
Moreover, Shandong people are truly very generous. One baozi is as big as three Hangzhou xiaolongbao, and the fillings are super abundant.
Another advantage of their shop is that they own their own fishing boats, ensuring a steady supply of fresh seafood. Besides baozi, you can also order seafood and stir-fried dishes.
Image: @jojocandy
After talking about seafood, you can’t miss Korean cuisine when you’re in Weihai.
Weihai is geographically close to Korea, and there are many Koreans living there.
Although I personally prefer the local cuisine of Yantai, Korean food is definitely something I would indulge in for several meals.
Hanxiangfu BBQ Manor
📍Multiple locations
💰￥150/person
Despite having several branches, the few long-standing chain stores in Weihai have maintained a consistently high standard for over a decade, making them highly trustworthy. Hanxiangfu is frequently recommended by locals, likely for this very reason.
The key to Korean-style barbecue lies in the marination of the meat. Hanxiangfu’s meat is the biggest temptation on the path to weight loss, with the pork belly and marinated beef ribs being strongly recommended.
Additionally, Hanxiangfu offers excellent value for money. Indulging in large portions of meat and carb-loaded dishes, there’s nothing more satisfying.
Image: @sherryli
Taipei Small Town
📍Guangming Road, Huancui District, near the south gate of Fortune Plaza, No. 60-25
💰￥50/person
Taipei Little Town doesn’t sell braised pork rice but rather serves Korean cuisine from a local restaurant that has been in business for over 20 years in Weihai.
“The fist rice of Zhen Li Wei, the ox tail soup of Yuan Zu Li Chao, and the fried sauce noodles of Taipei Little Town”—these are the Weihai eating Korean food mantras that my friend has ingrained in me.
The walls are adorned with photos of the owner with celebrities.
Korean fried sauce noodles and sweet and sour pork are the signature dishes of Taipei Little Town. The noodles are not the chewy type, and the seasoning is almost identical to what you would find in Korea. They pair perfectly with Korean dramas for a delightful dining experience.
Image: @Xiaaa_xi
Image: @
Many Rice Restaurant
📍5-5 Lishui Gate, North Street, Hanle Fang, Jing District, Huancui District, Weihai
💰￥70/person
I’m not particularly fond of Korean cuisine in general, but I absolutely love fried chicken.
Many Rice Restaurant is actually a fusion of Korean and Western cuisine, located in Hanle Fang. If you visit Weihai, chances are you’ll end up there.
Image: @
Although there are several flavors of fried chicken, only the soy sauce and garlic flavor is my destined favorite.
The chicken pieces are boneless, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, perfectly fried, and bursting with juice when bitten into—super delicious!
Other dishes don’t leave a particularly strong impression, but they are decent. It’s worth visiting just for the fried chicken.
Image: @
In addition to the reliable restaurants recommended above, Weihai locals have other important gathering spots for meals.
The Weihai morning market, which is a must-visit despite the early start, has a lively atmosphere reminiscent of northern markets. The variety of goods sold is a mix of everything, very down-to-earth.
Image: @
I highly recommend the Gumo Morning Market and Tashan Morning Market (just navigate directly using your map app), which are large in scale and offer a wide variety of goods.
In addition to seasonal seafood and other ingredients, there are also many breakfast options and snacks. If you can’t finish them all, you can even take some home. The morning market operates roughly from 6:00 to 8:30. If you arrive late, everything will be gone, so you’ll have to choose between enjoying delicious food and sleeping in.
Image: @Ball Smashing
The place in a city with the most vibrant atmosphere is undoubtedly the night market.
A friend who studied in Weihai specifically emphasized that I must visit the Dongcheng Road Night Market, as it was the place he missed most after graduation, especially the joy of strolling with classmates and carrying full bags of snacks.
The Dongcheng Road Night Market has an overwhelming variety of snacks, with the highlight being various seafood barbecues.
Although there are both locals and tourists, the prices are very reasonable. Oysters are 10 yuan for 5 pieces, perfect for opening up your appetite.
Seafood should be paired with local Weihaiwei beer. While Qingdao uses plastic bags to serve alcohol, in Weihai, they use buckets, offering a refreshing experience.
This fish ball skewer wrap is also quite interesting, with such rich ingredients that it’s quite filling, potentially affecting your ability to enjoy more later.
If you’re particularly craving Korean cuisine, head to Hanle Square. This is also a landmark commercial area in the Jing District, with over a hundred restaurants specializing in Korean cuisine.
Hanle Square is most lively in the evening, and as soon as the night market stalls open, people gather. It’s said that residents living nearby rarely cook at home because there are too many dining options downstairs.
Weihai, although noticeably different from Qingdao and Yantai, maintains its own rhythm, especially as locals say that development here is protective in nature. This is a good thing.
Find an opportunity to fully indulge in a seafood feast in Weihai during the fishing season.
🚘
