Weihai

Weihai lies at the eastern edge of Shandong Province, where the Yellow Sea meets rocky shores and modern cityscapes. Once a British naval base called Weihaiwei, the city reflects its maritime past and proximity to South Korea through architecture and daily life. Walk through Liugong Island’s pine-covered paths to see cannons and bunkers from the 1894 Sino-Japanese War, then look across the water to the city’s high-rise buildings. Visit dockside markets in the morning to watch fishermen unload baskets of clams and mackerel, or join crowds at Weihai International Bathing Beach on summer evenings. Ferries connect directly to Incheon, and high-speed trains reach Beijing in under five hours, making the city both accessible and distinct from busier coastal hubs.

Transportation Options

High-speed trains from Beijing South Station take 4.5 hours to reach Weihai, with additional routes from Shanghai Hongqiao (6 hours) and Qingdao (1.5 hours). Weihai Dashuipo Airport has daily flights to Seoul-Incheon and major Chinese cities, though you’ll need a 45-minute taxi ride to reach downtown. Overnight ferries from Incheon arrive near the city center after 14-18 hours. Budget travelers can take buses from Jinan or Yantai, which stop at Weihai’s central station multiple times daily.

Liugong Island’s History and Trails

Take a 20-minute ferry from downtown to Liugong Island, a former Qing Dynasty naval base. The Sino-Japanese War Museum near the docks displays uniforms, weapons, and scale models of 19th-century battles. Walk uphill to the island’s highest point for clear views of cargo ships entering Weihai Bay, or follow the 14-kilometer coastal road by rented bicycle. On Huojiao Bay Beach, a corroded cargo ship stranded since 2002 draws photographers—local authorities plan to dismantle it within two years.

Beaches and Coastal Areas

Weihai International Bathing Beach has soft sand and shallow waters, with lifeguards on duty from June through September. Silver Beach in the Economic Development Zone sees fewer visitors; arrive early to watch residents dig for clams during low tide. Drive 90 minutes east to Chengshantou, where wind-sculpted cliffs tower above a lighthouse marking China’s easternmost point. After sunset, head to the boardwalk near Huancui District for skewered squid grilled over charcoal or sweet hawthorn berries coated in hardened sugar.

Korean Communities and Dining

Weihai’s Korean Food Street in the Economic Development Zone centers around Nanshan Road, where restaurants serve cold noodle soups and sizzling pork belly plates. Order jajangmyeon at Kim’s Kitchen or seafood pancakes at Haenam House, both staffed by Korean-speaking servers. At N Tongyi Lu’s morning market, vendors sell live sea cucumbers and kelp; pay 10 yuan extra to have your purchase cooked at stalls near the exit. After 10 PM, look for folding tables near Huancuilou Park offering spicy rice cakes and bottles of soju.

British-Era Landmarks

Britain controlled Weihaiwei from 1898 to 1930, leaving structures like St. Andrew’s Church on Huanhai Road. The red-brick Gothic church holds weekly services in Mandarin and English. Near the ferry terminal, a 12-meter stone obelisk marks the 1930 return of Weihai to Chinese governance. Book a room at the former British Commissioner’s Residence to see original oak floors and tiled hearths, now part of a hotel with sea-facing balconies.

Weather and Best Times to Visit

January temperatures often drop below freezing, while August humidity peaks near 85%. Visit in July if you plan to swim, but expect higher hotel rates. September provides cooler days for hiking Chengshantou’s cliffside paths or biking around Liugong Island. Winter brings occasional snow, creating quiet walking routes past frozen fishing boats in Huojiao Bay. In April, cherry trees bloom along the roads winding up Shengjingshan Mountain.

Local Economy and Products

Over half of China’s fishing nets and trawling equipment come from factories in Weihai Economic & Technological Development Zone. The port exports tires and synthetic leather to South Korea, with weekly cargo ships departing for Pusan. Farms in Wendeng District supply Shandong’s markets with crisp pears from late August and flat peaches throughout October. Stop at roadside stands along Provincial Highway 704 to buy fruit directly from growers.

Visitor Recommendations

Install WeChat Pay before arriving, as most buses and market vendors no longer accept cash. Borrow free bicycles from hotels near the train station to explore Huanhai Road’s coffee shops and bookstores. Skip Shengjingshan Mountain on Saturdays when Daoist pilgrims fill the trails. Public restrooms near parks and shopping malls display blue signs with the Chinese characters for toilet. If invited to a local home, bring apples or walnuts—these gifts reflect Shandong’s agricultural traditions and show respect.