Penglai Pavilion Scenic Area is located in Penglai District, Yantai City, Shandong Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction, renowned at home and abroad for the legend of "Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea" and the natural wonder of "mirage", and is known as a "fairyland on earth". The scenic area integrates mountain and sea scenery with cultural relics. It not only boasts the magnificent sea view where the Yellow Sea and the Bohai Sea meet, but also has a well-arranged group of ancient buildings, showing unique natural and cultural charm. Penglai Pavilion Scenic Area covers an area of about 5.8 square kilometers, with the core scenic area being about 1.8 square kilometers. It mainly consists of the ancient building complex of Penglai Pavilion, Tianheng Mountain, Penglai Water City and the coastal sightseeing belt. Among them, the ancient building complex of Penglai Pavilion is built along the mountain and by the sea, with a total construction area of about 19,000 square meters. The pavilions, terraces, buildings and towers are scattered in an orderly manner, demonstrating the exquisite craftsmanship and simple charm of architecture in the Ming and Qing dynasties.
History and Culture
The history of Penglai Pavilion can be traced back to the 6th year of Jiayou in the Northern Song Dynasty (1061). At that time, defensive buildings were built here to resist foreign enemies, and later it gradually developed into a place with both military and sightseeing functions. In the 17th year of Wanli in the Ming Dynasty (1589), the main building of Penglai Pavilion was expanded, forming the basic pattern as it is today. After being repaired and improved in the Ming and Qing dynasties, it became an important coastal defense fortress in ancient northern China and a gathering place for literati and poets.
As one of the four famous ancient towers in China, Penglai Pavilion carries rich historical and cultural connotations. In history, many celebrities such as Su Shi, Qi Jiguang and Feng Yuxiang left their footprints and inscriptions here. There are more than 200 existing stone inscriptions, covering various forms such as poems and postscripts, which have high calligraphic and documentary value. The legend of "Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea" has added a strong mythical color to Penglai Pavilion. It is said that eight immortals such as Tieguai Li and Han Zhongli showed their magical powers and crossed the sea here. This legend has not only been recorded in classics, but also widely spread through folk stories, operas and other forms, making Penglai Pavilion an important carrier of mythical culture.
Main Attractions
Penglai Pavilion
Penglai Pavilion is the core building of the scenic area. It is located on the top of Danya Mountain, first built in the Northern Song Dynasty, and the existing building was rebuilt in the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is 15 meters high with a construction area of about 328 square meters. The pavilion is a double-layer gable and hip roof building with overhanging eaves and upturned corners, and carved beams and painted rafters. On the first floor, there are statues of the Eight Immortals such as Lü Dongbin and Tieguai Li. On the second floor, there is an observation deck, from which you can overlook the magnificent scenery of the Yellow Sea and the Bohai Sea. When the weather is suitable, you can also enjoy the wonder of "mirage". The plaque "Penglai Pavilion" hanging in the pavilion was written by Tie Bao, a calligrapher of the Qing Dynasty, with strong and forceful strokes, and is an important cultural relic in the pavilion.
Tianhou Palace
Tianhou Palace is located on the west side of the ancient building complex of Penglai Pavilion. It was first built in the Song Dynasty and is one of the larger Mazu temples in northern China, with a construction area of about 1,500 square meters. The temple is distributed along the central axis with buildings such as the opera house, the mountain gate and the main hall in sequence. In the main hall, there is a statue of Mazu, and in the side halls on both sides, there are statues of the Four Sea Dragons and other gods. Tianhou Palace is not only a place for fishermen to pray for blessings, but also the wood carving and brick carving techniques in its architectural decorations are extremely exquisite, especially the "Dragon and Phoenix Bringing Prosperity" wood carving in the opera house, with vivid shapes, which can be called a masterpiece of carving art in the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Penglai Water City
Penglai Water City, also known as Beiwo City, was first built during the Qingli period of the Northern Song Dynasty. It is one of the most complete existing ancient naval bases in China, with a total area of about 270,000 square meters. It is composed of the water city wall, water gate, wharf, fort and other parts. The water city is built according to the terrain, with a city wall circumference of about 2,000 meters and a height of 7 meters, equipped with crenels, enemy platforms and other defensive facilities. It was an important military fortress for Qi Jiguang, a famous anti-Japanese general in the Ming Dynasty, to drill the navy and resist the Japanese pirates. Today, the remaining ancient forts, naval offices and other relics in the water city can still make people feel the strict momentum of coastal defense in those years.
Tianheng Mountain
Tianheng Mountain is located on the northwest side of Penglai Pavilion, facing Danya Mountain across the sea, with an area of about 0.4 square kilometers. It is named after Tian Heng, who stationed troops here in the Han Dynasty. The mountain is covered with dense vegetation, with coastal plank roads, sea viewing pavilions and other landscapes. Climbing to the top, you can overlook the unique scene of the confluence of the Yellow Sea and the Bohai Sea - the water of the two seas has distinct colors, forming a natural "sea dividing line". In addition, Tianheng Mountain also retains historical relics such as the site of Tianheng Village and the boundary monument between the Yellow Sea and the Bohai Sea, making it a tourist attraction with both natural landscape and cultural heritage.
Food
Penglai Noodles
Penglai noodles are a very distinctive traditional pasta in the local area, with a history of more than 100 years. The noodles are made of high-quality flour, with a soft texture, and are paired with marinade made from seafood such as snapper and mullet, which is rich in umami. Penglai noodles are known for being "thin, fresh and delicious". Common marinades include "stir-fried marinade" and "clear soup". They are paired with chopped green onions, coriander and other ingredients, with a rich taste. They are the first choice for Penglai people's breakfast. You can taste the authentic flavor in time-honored noodle restaurants around the scenic area, such as "Jianxing Noodle Restaurant".
Eight Immortals Banquet
The Eight Immortals Banquet is a characteristic banquet in Penglai area, created inspired by the legend of "Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea". It skillfully combines seafood with local ingredients, and each dish corresponds to an immortal, which is both ornamental and delicious. For example, "Tieguai Li Sea Cucumber" is made of local sea cucumbers simmered with high soup, and "He Xiangu Mushroom" uses mushrooms to simulate the elegance of the fairy. The whole banquet has exquisite shapes and auspicious meanings, which is an excellent choice to experience Penglai's food culture. Restaurants such as Penglai Pavilion Hotel in the scenic area can provide this banquet.
Surrounding Food
Changdao Scallop
Changdao scallop is a specialty of the sea area around Penglai. Because it grows in the Bohai Bay with clear water, its meat is fresh and juicy. Common methods include steamed scallops with garlic vermicelli, stir-fried scallop meat with seasonal vegetables, etc. In the seafood stalls near Penglai Pavilion, tourists can taste freshly caught scallops, which, paired with ginger vinegar sauce, can better highlight the original flavor of seafood.
Braised Donkey Meat
Penglai braised donkey meat has a long history. It is made of high-quality local donkey meat, braised with more than ten kinds of spices such as star anise and cinnamon. The meat is tender and has a mellow aroma. It can be eaten directly or with sesame cakes. The products of the local time-honored brand "Guocheng Braised Donkey Meat" are particularly well-known. Vacuum-packed braised donkey meat can be bought as a souvenir in specialty stores around the scenic area.
Tickets
The ticket price is 100 yuan per person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "蓬莱阁景区" to get the latest news or buy tickets online.
Opening Hours
The opening hours are adjusted slightly according to the season: from April 1 to October 31 (peak season), it is open from 7:00 to 18:00; from November 1 to March 31 of the next year (off-season), it is open from 8:00 to 17:00. Some scenic spots in the scenic area, such as Penglai Water City Fort and Tianheng Mountain Plank Road, may be temporarily closed in bad weather (such as typhoons and heavy rains). It is recommended that tourists check the real-time information through the official website before traveling.
Tour Route
After entering the scenic area, tourists can first start their tour from the ancient building complex of Penglai Pavilion, visiting the main building of Penglai Pavilion, Tianhou Palace, Dragon King Palace and other buildings in turn to feel the charm of ancient buildings and mythical culture, which takes about 1.5 hours. Then go to Penglai Water City to visit the relics such as the Naval Office and the ancient fort to learn about the history of ancient coastal defense, which takes about 1 hour. At noon, you can taste special foods such as Penglai noodles in the restaurants in the scenic area. In the afternoon, take the scenic spot sightseeing bus (10 yuan per person for a one-way trip) to Tianheng Mountain, walk along the coastal plank road to enjoy the landscape of the boundary between the Yellow Sea and the Bohai Sea, and the tour time is about 1.5 hours. Finally, go to the coastal sightseeing belt to enjoy the sea view and take photos as a souvenir. It is recommended to arrange 5 to 6 hours for the whole tour.
Transportation
- Bus: In Penglai District, you can take buses No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc. to "Penglai Pavilion Scenic Area" station, and walk for about 5 minutes to reach the scenic area entrance; from Yantai urban area, you can take the intercity bus from Yantai to Penglai (ticket price 25 yuan), get off at Penglai Bus Station, and then transfer to the above bus lines to go there.
- Self-driving: Starting from Yantai urban area, drive along Rongwu Expressway (G18) towards Penglai, get off at Penglai Exit, go straight along Zhonglou South Road for about 3 kilometers to reach the scenic area. The charging standard of the scenic area parking lot is 5 yuan per hour for small cars and 10 yuan per hour for large cars.
- High-speed rail: After taking the high-speed rail to Penglai City Station, you can transfer to Penglai Bus No. 6 to "Penglai Pavilion Scenic Area" station, or take a taxi (the journey is about 20 minutes, and the cost is about 30 yuan).
Must-visit Attractions
- The main building of Penglai Pavilion: As the landmark building of the scenic area, you can not only enjoy the exquisite architecture of the Ming and Qing dynasties, but also feel the "fairyland" sea view when climbing to the top and looking into the distance. It is the best place to watch the "mirage". The building is 15 meters high, with statues of the Eight Immortals and inscriptions by celebrities of past dynasties inside.
- Penglai Water City: The most complete existing ancient naval base in China, retaining historical relics of anti-Japanese pirates in the Ming Dynasty. The city wall is about 2,000 meters in circumference, and facilities such as ancient forts show the wisdom of ancient coastal defense, with high historical value.
- Tianheng Mountain: A scenic spot for viewing the boundary between the Yellow Sea and the Bohai Sea. The coastal plank road is about 800 meters long, along which you can enjoy the natural wonder of the confluence of the two seas. The site of Tianheng Village on the top of the mountain adds a sense of historical thickness.
Tour Suggestions
- It is recommended to go there from April to October. At this time, the climate is pleasant, you can not only enjoy the mountain and sea scenery, but also have a high probability of watching the "mirage" (mostly in the early morning or evening from May to August).
- There are many steps in the scenic area. It is recommended to wear comfortable sports shoes, carry sun protection products and drinking water, and prepare a thin coat to cope with the sea breeze in summer.
- If you want to have an in-depth understanding of the history of the scenic area, you can rent an electronic guide (rental fee 30 yuan per unit) or follow the official tour group at the entrance (free of charge, once every 30 minutes).
- Avoid peak hours on holidays (such as May Day and National Day). There are many tourists at this time, and you can choose to go on working days to get a better tour experience.
Matters Needing Attention
- Smoking and littering are prohibited in the scenic area. Please abide by public order when visiting, take good care of cultural relics and historic sites, and do not touch or carve ancient buildings and inscriptions.
- Some sections of the coastal plank road of Tianheng Mountain are narrow. Please pay attention to safety when visiting, take good care of the elderly and children, and avoid getting close to the edge of the guardrail.
- When watching the "mirage", please follow the guidance of the staff, stay in the designated area, and do not crowd or climb dangerous areas.
- There are many seafood stalls around the scenic area. Please confirm the price and freshness when buying or dining to avoid consumption disputes.
- Some sections in the scenic area may be icy in winter. Please pay attention to anti-skid when visiting, pay attention to the weather forecast and arrange your itinerary reasonably.