No Summer Plans Yet? Check Out These Three Coastal Cities!

In the hot June and July, besides well-known sea-viewing cities like Sanya, you can also listen to the breath of the ocean in these places and enjoy a relaxed and refreshing summer.

Dalian - Stunning Sea Views on Every Side

Recommended duration: 2-3 days

Best season: June to September

Top attractions: Laohutan Ocean Park, Xinghai Square, Binhai Road, Jinshitan Resort, Bangchuidao Island, etc.

Dalian is surrounded by sea on three sides and backed by mountains, making it a famous summer resort. Summer is the best time to visit Dalian. There are many places to enjoy the sea in Dalian, with a long coastline of over a hundred miles creating numerous natural landscapes. Countless sea-viewing and sea-play spots are the city's best calling card.

Various exotic streets, along with countless century-old European-style buildings around Zhongshan Square, give the city a distinctive foreign flavor.

Moreover, the Binhai Road in Dalian is worth mentioning. You might wonder what's so special about a road? Just take a look! The Binhai Road runs along the coast, winding for more than 10 kilometers. It's impossible to walk the entire length, but the romantic scenery will make you want to keep going. On the left, there is bustling traffic; on the right, the endless sea. The contrast between noise and silence creates an indescribable enjoyment.

Laohutan Ocean Park is located on the southern coast of Dalian, nestled between mountains and sea. It is a world of marine animals and birds, as well as a coastal scenic spot. Xinghai Square, near Laohutan, is a landmark of the city. Its area is larger than two Tiananmen Squares, bringing a sensory impact. It not only offers beautiful sea views and charming nightscapes but also features lighthouses, sculptures, seawalls, and even surrounding high-rise buildings that serve as perfect backdrops for photos.

Binhai Road and Zhongshan Square are mostly in this area, while Jinshitan Resort is located on the northern coast. From the north square of Dalian Railway Station, take Metro Line 3, and in about 50 minutes, you can reach this back garden of Dalian.

Transportation: It is very convenient to reach Dalian by high-speed rail to Dalian North Station or Dalian Station, or by plane to Dalian Airport, and then go to various attractions.

Accommodation: Since the attractions are scattered, it is recommended to stay near the train station or airport.

GreenTree Inn Dalian Airport New District Xinzhai Street Smart Select Hotel

800 meters from Xinzhai Street Station on Dalian Metro Line 2, a 10-minute walk. Only 3.6 km from Dalian Zhoushuizi Airport, accessible by Metro Line 2 or a short taxi ride. It is also convenient to reach Dalian Xinghai Square and other attractions. The hotel has a simple and stylish design, relaxing and warm, with a high cost-performance ratio.

For high-speed rail travelers, GreenTree Inn Dalian Dalian North Station Express Hotel and GreenTree Inn Dalian Railway Station Square Express Hotel are recommended.

Zhoushan - The Unforgettable Dongji Island from Han Han's "The Continent," and the "Southern Beidaihe"

Recommended duration: 1-2 days

Best season: June to October

Top attractions: Taohua Island, Dongji Island, Putuo Mountain, Zhujiajian, Shengsi Islands, etc. These are great summer vacation spots.

Best sea-viewing points: Putuo Mountain, Shengsi Islands, Dongji Island, Taohua Island, Huaniu Island, etc.

Zhoushan Islands, the only maritime city in China known for its archipelago. Many people first hear of Zhoushan through the documentary "China Travel on Latitude 30°N" or Han Han's film "The Continent." True sunshine, blue sea, golden sand, waves, reefs, and seafood - the unforgettable Dongji Island is here in Zhoushan.

Today, Dongji Island is very popular. I was fortunate to visit it last year. From the moment I stepped onto Dongji Island, time seemed to stand still. The incredibly blue sea and clear water, free from any pollution, were crystal clear. Here, you can see China's first ray of sunshine, view the Potala Palace on the sea from a distance, go fishing with friends, or take a wild walk around the island...

Transportation: It's convenient to drive from Shanghai or take a bus to Zhoushan Putuo Long-distance Bus Center, then take a taxi to Dongji Island. In short, travelers from Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, etc., can consider this a great option for a nearby trip.

Accommodation: GreenTree Inn Zhoushan Putuo District Donggang Business Hotel

Close to the Zhoushan dock. It's a 10-minute drive to Putuo Mountain or take Bus 27 to Wugongzhi Pier for a ferry ride. It's a 15-minute drive to Duntou Pier for Taohua Island. Walk 400 meters along Haiyin Road from the hotel to reach the busiest part of Donggang District, with many restaurants of various price ranges nearby.

Yantai - Where Myths Begin

Recommended duration: 2-3 days

Best season: June to October

Top attractions: Penglai Pavilion, Changdao Island, Sanxian Mountain Scenic Area, Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea Scenic Area, Golden Beach, Wanbird Island, etc.

From the moment your plane lands at Yantai Penglai International Airport, you step into the charming city of Yantai. It is home to Asia's only international wine city, as well as the fairyland-like Penglai Pavilion, Yantai Mountain, and Golden Beach Seaside Park, as if blessed by immortals. Yantai gathers beautiful mountains and seas with a pleasant climate.

Yantai is located in the eastern part of the Shandong Peninsula, renowned as the "Mountain-Sea Fairyland · Wine City." The ever-changing sea phenomena, mirages, myths of the Eight Immortals crossing the sea, stories of Xu Fu's eastward voyage, and legends of Qin Shi Huang shooting a giant fish add many mysterious colors to Yantai's landscapes.

Penglai, known as a fairyland, has been a place where emperors sought immortality and elixirs since ancient times. Legend has it that Penglai, Yingzhou, and Fangzhang are three divine mountains in the sea, where immortals reside. The widely spread myth of the "Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea" originates here. Changdao Island, near Penglai Pavilion, is known as a "sea fairyland." Every island on Changdao is beautiful and unique, forming a natural sea garden.

Adjacent to Penglai are the Sanxian Mountain Scenic Area and the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea Scenic Area, both full of fairy-like aura and rich mythological colors.

Yantai Golden Beach is known as the "Best Beach in Northern China." As its name suggests, the beach has fine, golden sand that is rare in the country. The beach has soft sand and an elegant environment, making it a iconic leisure spot for tourism and summer escape in Yantai.

Yantai Mountain is a symbol of Yantai, located at the northern end of the city, surrounded by sea on three sides, with charming scenery. It uniquely integrates mountains, sea, city, and port, and offers the spectacular view of huge ships passing by the mountain. It's a great place for photography, hiking, and sea viewing. The coastal rocks are rugged and varied; the mountain has many massive boulders created by nature, as if infused with spiritual energy, attracting a continuous stream of tourists.

Speaking of Yantai, the most famous things are Yantai apples, wine, and Yantai big cherries. In June, you can also pick big cherries. Regarding wine, you can visit the renowned Changyu Wine Culture Museum. Walking through the museum gives a special feeling, especially for wine lovers. It is one of the few professional museums in the global wine industry, located at the original site of Changyu Company on Dama Road, Zhifu District. The museum includes a wine culture square, a century-old underground wine cellar, a comprehensive hall, a history hall, and a video hall. Besides learning about wine culture, you can taste wine, DIY brandy and bottle openers, and of course, get discounts on wine purchases.

Transportation: You can reach Yantai by bus or high-speed rail, which is very convenient. You can also fly directly to Penglai, and now flying is cheaper.

1. GreenTree Eastern Yantai Development Zone Zhujiang Road Hotel

The hotel is close to Golden Beach, with high-end and stylish design, good cost-performance ratio, elegant restaurant and parking lot, and excellent service.

2. GreenTree Inn Yantai Penglai Pavilion Bus Station Express Hotel

The hotel is located in Penglai Pavilion Scenic Area, close to Sanxian Mountain, Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea Scenic Area, and the bathing beach. It is extremely convenient for tourism, shopping, dining, business, and leisure. Just step out and you're there. In your free time, stroll to the coastline, face Changdao Island across the sea, or walk along Penglai Beach to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the front sea.