Weihai

Weihai is a seaside city that is perfect for a slow-paced vacation, with a long coastline and soothing scenery. Coming here in summer to enjoy the sea breeze and eat seafood is simply wonderful! Here is a detailed Weihai travel guide to help you look past the social-media filters and travel more smoothly.

Must-Visit Attractions

• Liugong Island: Full of historical weight. The Sino-Japanese War Museum is very powerful, making it suitable for families with children and travelers who enjoy history. Set aside half a day, and book ferry tickets in advance.

• Maotou Mountain: The highlight of Weihai’s coastline. Navigate directly to Viewing Platform No. 3; the winding road with sea views is incredibly photogenic. Go on a clear day.

• International Bathing Beach: Fine sand and clear seawater. The sunset in the evening is stunning, and the surrounding area is convenient for dining and cycling. Great for bringing kids to play in the sand and paddle in the water.

• Brewis Ship: A stranded giant ship with a cinematic feel and an incredibly atmospheric photo setting. Go at low tide, navigate to the “ground parking lot,” and walk from there.

• Jiming Island: A filming location for *Dad, Where Are We Going?* The cliffside cafe, reef boardwalk, and small church are photogenic at every turn. Round-trip ferry tickets are about 125 yuan; take an early boat to the island.

• Yuehai Park: The lighthouse, lawn, and sea make for especially good photos, and there is also a swing facing the ocean. Locals like it too, and it is quieter and less crowded than Weihai Park.

• Naxianghai: The sand at Diamond Beach is extremely fine, and the windmills, beach, and sunset are very soothing. Best reached by self-driving, and ideal for travelers who want to relax somewhere quiet.

Less Recommended Attractions

• Torch Eight Street: A social-media check-in spot with huge crowds. Taking photos is all about waiting, and in reality it falls far short of the filtered images. Just have a quick look if you pass by; it is not worth a special trip.

• Weihai Park: Mainly known for its large photo-frame landmark. Take a quick picture if it is on your route, but it is not worth making a dedicated trip.

• Gate of Happiness: Going to the top costs money and involves queuing, and the view is similar to other stretches of coastline. It is only recommended for taking photos from below.

• Hailu Island: You cannot land on the island; you can only take a boat around it. Aside from seeing seagulls, there is not much else to do, so the value for money is not high.

• Swan Lake: There are swans only in winter. In summer, it is just an ordinary pond, so do not make a wasted trip.

Suggested Itinerary

• Day 1 (City Route): Arrive in Weihai in the morning, have Korean food at Hanlefang at noon → visit Yuehai Park in the afternoon to see the lighthouse → take photos at the large frame in Weihai Park → watch the sunset at International Bathing Beach in the evening → have late-night snacks at Oulefang at night.

• Day 2 (Coastal Route): Get up early to watch the sunrise at Banyue Bay → Maotou Mountain Viewing Platform No. 3 → quick check-in at Torch Eight Street → spend the afternoon relaxing at Haiyuan Park → eat seafood in the evening.
• Day 3 (Rongcheng Route): Naxianghai → Jiming Island → Brewis Shipwreck → Motianling Cableway (north route downhill) → return trip.

Food Recommendations

• Chocolate Fisherman: A long-established local seafood restaurant. The signature sea intestine rice and steamed seafood pot are exceptionally fresh, and the Spanish mackerel dumplings are also a must-order. There are long lines at mealtimes, so go early.

• Ganhai Guilai: The seafood platter and sea intestine rice taste excellent. The seafood dough-drop soup and Spanish mackerel dumplings are also highly recommended. Portions are generous and the value for money is good.

• Haiwei Haoqing: Specializes in large seafood platters and grilled seafood. The garlic-grilled oysters burst with juice in one bite, and the lively atmosphere makes it great for late-night dining.

• Old Weihai Fried Shuai: A street snack unique to Weihai, where all kinds of ingredients can be fried and brushed with sweet-spicy sauce. It is a childhood memory for locals and easy to pick up while strolling around.

• Hanlefang Korean Food: A cluster of Korean restaurants. Recommended dishes include beef soup with rice, Korean-style jajangmyeon, and pork backbone hot pot. It gets liveliest after 5:30 p.m.

Accommodation Suggestions

• Hanlefang/Weihai Railway Station: Extremely convenient transportation, mature surrounding commercial areas, and affordable accommodation. Suitable for visitors arriving by high-speed rail and those who leave early and return late.

• Weigao Plaza: The core downtown area, convenient for getting anywhere, with plenty of malls for dining and shopping. However, room rates are relatively high.

• International Bathing Beach: A first-line sea-view resort area where you can see the sea from the window and reach the beach as soon as you go downstairs. Good for a relaxing vacation, but a little far from city attractions.

• Naxianghai: Suitable for travelers self-driving the Rongcheng route. Staying one night is better, and accommodation should be booked in advance during peak season.

Transportation Guide

• High-Speed Rail: Weihai Railway Station (near Hanlefang), Weihai North Railway Station (near International Bathing Beach), Rongcheng Railway Station (near Chengshantou and Naxianghai).
• Flights: Weihai Dashuibo International Airport is about 30-40 km from the city center. The airport bus goes directly downtown for 20 yuan.
• Getting Around the City: Renting an electric scooter is the most enjoyable option (60-80 yuan/day), allowing you to stop whenever you like. Buses are cheap, but services along the coastal road are infrequent. Use regular ride-hailing services for taxis, and avoid unlicensed cars soliciting passengers by the seaside.
• Going to Rongcheng: Renting a car and self-driving is recommended. It is about half the price of hiring a car and gives you more flexibility.

Pitfall-Avoidance Tips

• Sun Protection: In July and August, UV rays by the sea are extremely strong. Reapply sunscreen every two hours, and bring a hat, sunglasses, and cooling arm sleeves.
• Clothing: Mainly wear breathable short sleeves, and bring a thin windproof jacket because mornings and evenings by the sea have a large temperature difference.
• Shoes: Wear non-slip casual shoes. Do not wear Crocs-style clogs or thick-soled sandals when foraging along the shore, as sharp reefs can easily cause cuts.
• Tides: Always check the tide table in advance before shore foraging. Arrive one hour before the lowest point of low tide for the best finds.
• Ferry Tickets: Book tickets for Liugong Island and Jiming Island 2-3 days in advance. Ferries may be suspended during strong winds and heavy rain.
• Seafood: Do not eat seafood in scenic areas or at Hanlefang, where prices are relatively high. Old restaurants in the city are more reliable.
• Fruit: Cherries and figs are in season in July and August. Buy them at Huangguan Morning Market or Heqing Wharf, where they are about half the price of those in scenic areas.