Weifang
Discover Weifang
Weifang (潍坊; Wéifāng) is a city in Shandong Province. Modern and new but still retaining its old-school charm, Weifang is a unique place to witness the "real China" (or the new China) where the past meets the future in an endless array of complete contradiction and awe-inspiring moments that truly is the essence of the People's Republic of China. Weifang is known as "Kite Capital of the World". Weifang and its fresh winds are well known throughout the province. Weifang is located in the western part of Shandong Peninsula, connected with Qingdao and Yantai in the east, Zibo and Dongying in the west, Linyi and Rizhao in the south, and bordering on Bohai Sea's Laizhou Bay in the north, which has a warm-temperate monsoon type semi-humid continental climate.
Taste of Weifang...
Shandong food comes in two flavors: spicy and salty and usually both. Bun-like white bread is more prevalent than noodles in the province and the seafood is generally quite fresh. Weifang has many restaurants on offer and for a random stab at it, try Si Ping Lu which is lined with eateries. Menus are generally not in English though most restaurants have picture menu's or food displayed in the entrance. Enjoy. After 21:00, choices are severely reduced, the best options for late night chow being YonHo 永和豆浆 or McDonald's, both of which are open 24 hours. Weifang radishes are re-known in Shandong for their nutrition and zesty flavor, a trip to Weifang should include a bite of radish. Head to the supermarket or bargain with a guy selling them on the sidewalk. Some supermarkets in the city even offer fully cooked and prepared (though from packaged bags) dog meat. Woof! Woof! The top choice among the younger locals seems to be Soho Bar, which is a nightclub with insanely loud music and a (for a foreigner) difficult to understand table/barchair reservation set-up. The Pullman Hotel is popular with foreigners on their business trips. Located next to Wanda Mall. The Fairington is the only (thus far) 5-star hotel in Weifang. It is away from the city center - very near the Weifang Amusement park. Associated with the Fairington is 'Building B' a comfortable 3-star hotel across from the main building. Both wings have restaurants and shopping available.
A Rich Past
Explore the historical roots that shaped Weifang into what it is today.
After the outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War, the Communist Party of China established an anti-Japanese base in Shandong. In 1948, Weixian County was liberated on 27 April, and Weifang Special City was set up on 29 April. As of the end of 2022, Weifang had a resident population of 9.4 million. Weifang's climate belongs to the temperate monsoon climate with four distinct seasons, with warm and humid summers and cold and dry winters. There are 2 train stations in Weifang. Weifang (main) and Weifang North. Weifang North train station is newer (completed on 2018) and comfortable when compared to other cities in the province. Weifang is on the main line from Beijing to Qingdao and by CRH, China Rail Highspeed (Bullet). It is about 4 hr 10 min to Beijing, 1 hr 50 min to Jinan and 1 hr 5 min to get to Qingdao There's plenty of transport outside the station, however the immediate surrounding area is undergoing heavy construction (welcome to Weifang). From the station take bus 56 to get to the downtown spots. All green and gold taxis are Beijing Hyundai Elantras. They are all correctly metered. The blue taxis, which are slowly being replaced, are Volks Wagon Santanas, they are also fully metered. There is no need walk away from the station to the road and catch a taxi who uses the meter. When exiting Weifang train station, the taxis at the ground level are "long distance" taxis, i.e., more than 10 km distance for your travel....
Climate
Weifang's climate belongs to the temperate monsoon climate with four distinct seasons, with warm and humid summers and cold and dry winters. There are 2 train stations in Weifang. Weifang (main) and Weifang North. Weifang North train station is newer (completed on 2018) and comfortable when compared to other cities in the province. Weifang is on the main line from Beijing to Qingdao and by CRH, China Rail Highspeed (Bullet). It is about 4 hr 10 min to Beijing, 1 hr 50 min to Jinan and 1 hr 5 min to get to Qingdao There's plenty of transport outside the station, however the immediate surrounding area is undergoing heavy construction (welcome to Weifang). From the station take bus 56 to get to the downtown spots. All green and gold taxis are Beijing Hyundai Elantras. They are all correctly metered. The blue taxis, which are slowly being replaced, are Volks Wagon Santanas, they are also fully metered.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsThere are 2 train stations in Weifang. Weifang (main) and Weifang North. Weifang North train station is newer (completed on 2018) and comfortable when compared to other cities in the province. Weifang is on the main line from Beijing to Qingdao and by CRH, China Rail Highspeed (Bullet). It is about 4 hr 10 min to Beijing, 1 hr 50 min to Jinan and 1 hr 5 min to get to Qingdao There's plenty of transport outside the station, however the immediate surrounding area is undergoing heavy construction (welcome to Weifang). From the station take bus 56 to get to the downtown spots. All green and gold taxis are Beijing Hyundai Elantras. They are all correctly metered. The blue taxis, which are slowly being replaced, are Volks Wagon Santanas, they are also fully metered. There is no need walk away from the station to the road and catch a taxi who uses the meter. When exiting Weifang train station, the taxis at the ground level are "long distance" taxis, i.e....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Weifang buses much like the city itself are new and therefore quite comfortable when not peak travel times. Buses start around 06:00 ending at about 22:00 in the summer and 21:00 in the winter. The two main roads are Dongfeng Jie and Shengli Jie which bus #16 and #56 both service. Bus 16 follows a circular loop along both of these two main streets while bus 56 starts at the train station and ends at the other side of the city at Weifang University. 90% of the taxis in Weifang are now green and gold taxis, these are Hyundai Elantras. The older blue taxis are slowly being replaced: they are Volks Wagon Santanas. Taxis will go 3 km before adding about ¥1.6 per each extra kilometer. An extra ¥1 fuel fee is to be paid to the driver at the end of your voyage. Weifang proper is quite small so getting from end of the city to the other won't cost more than ¥20. Weifang's claim to fame is its kites and a visit to Weifang should include some exposure to the kite culture here.
Where to Stay
The Pullman Hotel is popular with foreigners on their business trips. Located next to Wanda Mall. The Fairington is the only (thus far) 5-star hotel in Weifang. It is away from the city center - very near the Weifang Amusement park. Associated with the Fairington is 'Building B' a comfortable 3-star hotel across from the main building. Both wings have restaurants and shopping available. Both are often filled with businessmen as the convention center is nearby. The Dongfeng Hotel is a well established 4-star hotel not too far from the Fairington on Dongfeng Lu. Like the Fairington, the Dongfeng has all the amenities, including its own building B, and is often full of business people. The YuanFei is a luxurious 4-star in the heart of the financial district across from the Bank of China. There are plenty of other hotels around the city however, the staff most likely will not speak English. The hotels listed above all have English speaking staff.
Money & Budget
A shopping trip to Weifang would most definitely include a kite. For yourself or as a gift, put on a wall or fly it in the wind. Versatile, pretty, unique. Remember to bargain hard with the shop owner. There are 3 places to buy computer and all types of electronic equipment and gadgets. Shopping on the old road is also an interesting time. Antiques, handicrafts, scroll-like wall paintings and many other nick-nacks are located in this tucked away part of town. Cheap, tailor made suits, dresses, coats or fabric can be found on Tailor Street down the road from the Technological Market. Don't forget to haggle. Shandong food comes in two flavors: spicy and salty and usually both. Bun-like white bread is more prevalent than noodles in the province and the seafood is generally quite fresh.
Safety Information
Glimpses of Weifang
gray and white concrete building
Shot on iPhone 11, with ins filter.
gray and white concrete building
Shot on iPhone 11, with ins filter.
gray and white concrete building
Shot on iPhone 11, with ins filter.
gray and white concrete building
Shot on iPhone 11, with ins filter.
gray and white concrete building
Shot on iPhone 11, with ins filter.
gray and white concrete building
Shot on iPhone 11, with ins filter.
gray and white concrete building