Weihai
Discover Weihai
Weihai (威海 Wēihǎi), also known as Weihaiwei (威海卫 Wēihǎiwèi), is a prefectural city under the jurisdiction of Shandong Province, a regional central city, an important marine industry base and a coastal tourism city on the Shandong Peninsula approved by The State Council. The city has jurisdiction over 2 districts and 2 county-level cities, with a total area of 5799.84 square kilometers and a built-up area of 291.09 square kilometers. According to the seventh census data, as of midnight on November 1, 2020, the permanent population of Weihai was 2,906,548. Weihai, surrounded by sea on three sides, has four distinct seasons and a pleasant climate. It is characterized by warm winter, cool summer, cold spring, warm autumn, small temperature difference between day and night, long frost-free period, high wind and high humidity.The highest temperature of the year: generally around 30°C, which occurs in the extremely hot summer days of July and August. The lowest temperature of the year: generally around -10°C, which occurs in the extremely cold winter days of January.
What to Experience in Weihai
Taste of Weihai...
Chinese food: it's obviously everywhere; however, some consider the local cuisine to be tasteless. To others, the traditional and simple steaming of fresh seafood along with locally grown varieties of fresh vegetables make for healthful, delicately tasty food, remarkable merely in its simple, unadulterated purity. The local delicacy is sea cucumber for which Weihai is very well known. Fresh scallops are readily available and are extremely affordable by western standards. In the summer months, fresh fruits abound. Rice is less prevalent than noodles in this region of China, for wheat is grown in the area. Be sure to try the local jiaozi or baozi, tender dumplings, particularly those filled with local fresh shrimp and chive. One local restaurant that has very unique offerings is called Yi Kuai Dou Fu (一块豆腐), their specialty is a one piece tofu dish. They also have other great dishes such as tang su liji and gong bao rou. Korean Food: you can't miss. Given the proximity of Korea, the food has made a strong presence. During the warm summer months, seek out the tasty soup called mool naeng myun, an ice-cold, bold beef broth that is laden with buckwheat noodles and laced with bits of cucumber, chive, sliced beef and leafy coriander (British) or cilantro (North Americans refer to coriander as the seed, not the leaf, of the same plant). Top it off with kim chee. It's more refreshing than a cold shower after a hot, sultry day at the beach.
Culture & Religion
Culture
The city of Weihai has a long history:it has been populated since the middle of the Neolithic Age. During the Xia, Shang and Zhou Dynasties, the city was the land of the Oriental barbarians and was inhabited by the Laiyi. In the fourth year of Tiantong of the Northern Qi Dynasty (568), Wendeng County was set up in the city, to which all of the city's present territory belongs. In 1398, the Ming Dynasty set up a garrison here, taking the meaning of "garrison that commands fear and respect in the seas", and began to call it "Weihaiwei". Weihai is the birthplace of Beiyang Navy, China's first navy in modern times, and the place where the Sino-Japanese Naval Battle took place. After the Sino-Japanese War, Weihai was one of the "Seven Sons" who were occupied by foreign powers and later returned to China. Weihai City is at the easternmost point of Shandong Peninsula, near the bisector line between North and South China, and is the nearest Chinese city to South Korea.
Climate
Weihai, surrounded by sea on three sides, has four distinct seasons and a pleasant climate. It is characterized by warm winter, cool summer, cold spring, warm autumn, small temperature difference between day and night, long frost-free period, high wind and high humidity.The highest temperature of the year: generally around 30°C, which occurs in the extremely hot summer days of July and August. The lowest temperature of the year: generally around -10°C, which occurs in the extremely cold winter days of January. The city of Weihai has a long history:it has been populated since the middle of the Neolithic Age. During the Xia, Shang and Zhou Dynasties, the city was the land of the Oriental barbarians and was inhabited by the Laiyi. In the fourth year of Tiantong of the Northern Qi Dynasty (568), Wendeng County was set up in the city, to which all of the city's present territory belongs.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsBus is by far the cheapest option but could involve many hours of travel depending on your starting point. It takes roughly six and a half hours by bus from Jinan, capital of Shandong, to the bus station in Weihai. There are many companies serving Weihai with many destinations possible at good frequencies. You can also arrive by ferry from various places in China and from Incheon, Korea, although this may be once a day or less. There are three trains per day that reach and leave Weihai. Jinan, Beijing and Hankou are the three destination/origin cities. The airport is approx 45 km from the city centre. The rather new toll highway somewhat reduces the travel time to or from the city centre yet adds slightly to your overall fare. Via tollway or not, expect to pay about ¥100-130 each way if travelling by taxi. The bus fare to the city is ¥20. For the most direct route, take the No. 1 Airport Bus (威海机场巴士1号线)....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
You can ride an electric bike around the beach and see the view. The bus routes are easy to use as they are conveniently and clearly marked on the English/Chinese map sold around town. It costs ¥1 for the bus. It runs from May 1 to October 30 every year. The face value of the tourist bus ticket is ¥10 per ticket, which is only available for a single ride from the departure station to the terminal station, one ticket per person. Children under 1.2 meters can ride for free under the guidance of an adult. There is no discount for other passengers. The one-way length of the route is 26 kilometers. In Weihai, early summer is the best season for cycling. The roads in Weihai are relatively flat and suitable for cycling. Riding a bicycle is a healthy and natural way of sports tourism, which can fully enjoy the beauty of the travel process. A bicycle and a backpack can travel, simple and environmentally friendly.
Where to Stay
There are plenty of places to choose from so shop around. The rates are posted at the front desk, usually in English, and that's the "rack" rate. You should expect a lower rate and they usually quote one. You can bargain for even lower rates, but since I don't speak Chinese, it's hard to do and the rates seemed fair anyway - about $30 for a nice room with a/c, tv, phone, and up-to-date/clean at a normal looking hotel with a nice lobby, probably a restaurant, and usually a little spa of some kind. There are some very cheap places to stay. You need to decide first where you want to stay as Weihai has a number of areas that could suit you depending on what you are in Weihai for. Downtown is nice if you want to be near the ferry terminals, the main parks and shopping, and have easy access to most transport. You could stay near the bus/train station, but that's a little remote and not much around. The last option is the beaches.
Money & Budget
There is a computer center, clothing, small commodities, and seafood market on the west side of N Tongyi Lu, one block south of Wenhua Lu near the city center. A good place to find a variety of things in one stop. On the morning of September 17, 2019, the launching ceremony of "Heart to Weihai Dialogue with the World" - Weihai Wanda Plaza Project was officially held on the banks of Wangdao River in Huancui District.The city complex, with a total investment of RMB 3 billion and a total construction area of nearly 400,000 square meters, was constructed by four companies of the Eighth Bureau of China Construction to create a new commercial landmark in Weihai. It is reported that the project will be completed and operated by the end of 2020.
Safety Information
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Weihai
The Blueways shipwreck off the coast of Weihai, Shandong, stands as a timeless sentinel amidst the crashing ocean waves. Surrounded by a flock of seagulls, this maritime relic is a poignant testament to nature's resilience and the sea's hidden tales.
a large ship in the middle of the ocean
a group of rocks in the water
a large boat floating on top of a large body of water
a church steeple with a sunset in the background
a harbor filled with lots of boats and cranes
a bird flying in the sky at sunset
a car driving down a road next to a bunch of windmills
a boat on the water
a seagull flying in a clear blue sky
The Blueways shipwreck off the coast of Weihai, Shandong, stands as a timeless sentinel amidst the crashing ocean waves. Surrounded by a flock of seagulls, this maritime relic is a poignant testament to nature's resilience and the sea's hidden tales.
a large ship in the middle of the ocean
a group of rocks in the water