Yantai Mountain (煙台山) is located in north of Yantai City and is surrounded by sea on its three sides. It is 3.2 km (2 mi) from Yantai Railroad Station by car. The 45 ha (111 acre) and 42.5 m (139 ft) high Yantai Mountain is more like a hill than a mountain. The name Yantai Mountain (煙台山) came from a beacon built in 1398 during the Ming Dynasty. It was used to signal an early warning of the pirates from Japan. Later the city was named Yantai City after it. According to the "Tianjin Treaty" (天津條約), Yantai opened to foreign countries later in 1861 and became the earliest port opened to foreign countries in Shandong.
We went there around 11 am on Sunday, and it seemed like there were not so many tourists around. It surprised us that the ticket booth and the tourist center were closed. We had free entrance to the site. The site was famous for its consulates, foreign banks, and many other villas built by seventeen countries in and near Yantai Mountain during the treaty period. We were happy to see most of the buildings were still maintained quite well by renting it out for cafés, restaurants and museums. It was also sad to learn that strong countries still invade weak countries. We went to the former residence of the US consulate built in early 1990. Today it is used as a café. We had coffee and desserts in such a historical building. The Denmark consulate is located on the top near the lighthouse. We went up to the lighthouse and enjoyed the 360 degree view of the Yantai port and Yantai City. It was surprising to learn most of the traditional buildings had orange roofs. Of course there are some temples on the site beside those foreign buildings. The most famous one is the Dragon King Temple (龍王廟). One surprisingly newly opened museum - the museum of Chinese Qipao (中華旗袍博物館, a.k.a. cheongsam) is located near the Old Japanese consulate dormitory (日本領事館宿舍舊址). It was an amazing museum with detailed development of the Qipao since it started in 1911 when the ROC established. We have never seen a place that gives you such deep information of the history and recent new trend of the Qipao.
We really liked seeing those different styles, elegant buildings with gardens, and the view on the hill. It is an easy walking trip in half a day, and we learned some of the background information about the Yantai. Comfortable shoes are recommended. Although shuttle is available to take you to the top, walking is much more fun and allow you to see more. If possible, try to get a map of the area (if available) in order to plan before you go.
We went there around 11 am on Sunday, and it seemed like there were not so many tourists around. It surprised us that the ticket booth and the tourist center were closed. We had free entrance to the site. The site was famous for its consulates, foreign banks, and many other villas built by seventeen countries in and near Yantai Mountain during the treaty period. We were happy to see most of the buildings were still maintained quite well by renting it out for cafés, restaurants and museums. It was also sad to learn that strong countries still invade weak countries. We went to the former residence of the US consulate built in early 1990. Today it is used as a café. We had coffee and desserts in such a historical building. The Denmark consulate is located on the top near the lighthouse. We went up to the lighthouse and enjoyed the 360 degree view of the Yantai port and Yantai City. It was surprising to learn most of the traditional buildings had orange roofs. Of course there are some temples on the site beside those foreign buildings. The most famous one is the Dragon King Temple (龍王廟). One surprisingly newly opened museum - the museum of Chinese Qipao (中華旗袍博物館, a.k.a. cheongsam) is located near the Old Japanese consulate dormitory (日本領事館宿舍舊址). It was an amazing museum with detailed development of the Qipao since it started in 1911 when the ROC established. We have never seen a place that gives you such deep information of the history and recent new trend of the Qipao.
We really liked seeing those different styles, elegant buildings with gardens, and the view on the hill. It is an easy walking trip in half a day, and we learned some of the background information about the Yantai. Comfortable shoes are recommended. Although shuttle is available to take you to the top, walking is much more fun and allow you to see more. If possible, try to get a map of the area (if available) in order to plan before you go.
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James Huang - All rights reserved.
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