Landmark
Penglai Pavilion
One of China's Four Great Towers, legendary home of the Eight Immortals, known for mirage phenomena over the sea.
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
¥100
Yantai's history spans over 2,000 years, with the area first established as Donglai County during the Qin Dynasty. The name "Yantai" (Smoke Tower) originated during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) when beacon towers were built to warn of Japanese pirate invasions.
The legendary Penglai Pavilion has been a site of myth and pilgrimage since ancient times. According to Chinese mythology, it was here that the Eight Immortals crossed the sea, and the spot where emperors sought the elixir of immortality. The current pavilion was built in 1061 during the Northern Song Dynasty.
During the Qing Dynasty, Yantai became one of the first treaty ports opened to foreign trade in 1858. This brought Western influences, colonial architecture, and the establishment of the Changyu Winery in 1892 - China's first modern winery.
The city played a significant role in China's modernization. Zhang Bishi, the founder of Changyu, introduced modern winemaking techniques and helped establish Yantai as a center of commerce and industry.
After 1949, Yantai developed into a major industrial and agricultural center. The city became known for its apples, wine, and seafood processing industries. In 1984, it was designated as one of China's first coastal open cities, attracting foreign investment.
Today, Yantai balances its historical heritage with modern development. The colonial architecture on Yantai Hill, ancient temples on Kunyu Mountain, and legendary Penglai Pavilion coexist with thriving industries and vibrant urban life.
