Penglai Pavilion

蓬莱阁

Known as an “earthly paradise” and the legendary site of the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea, this seaside pavilion complex dates back to the Northern Song. Together with Danya Hill and Penglai Water City, it is one of China’s Four Great Towers.

Penglai Pavilion stands on Danya Hill at the northern end of Penglai District, Yantai. Construction began in 1061, in the sixth year of the Jiayou era of the Northern Song. Together with the Yellow Crane Tower, the Yueyang Tower and the Tengwang Pavilion, it forms the Four Great Towers of China. Because Qin Shi Huang and Emperor Wu of Han sought immortality here, the legend of the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea and the spectacle of sea mirages, it is known as an “earthly paradise.” It is a national 5A-level scenic area and a national key cultural heritage site. The scenic area comprises the Penglai Pavilion ancient architectural complex (six groups of buildings, including the main Penglai Pavilion, Tianhou Palace, Dragon King Palace, Lüzu Hall, Sanqing Hall and Mituo Temple), Danya Hill, Penglai Water City, Tianheng Hill and the marker where the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea meet. Penglai Water City was a Ming-dynasty naval base for resisting Japanese pirates (wokou), where Qi Jiguang trained troops. It is China’s most complete surviving ancient naval port.

Highlights: From the main pavilion, look out over Changdao Island and the Yellow and Bohai Seas. Inside the pavilion is a stele bearing Su Shi’s handwritten poem “Sea Mirage.” Bifeng Pavilion is famous for its “no wind” phenomenon. Inside Water City, visit the Qi Jiguang Memorial Hall and see the ancient ships. From Tianheng Hill, a cross-sea cable car (about RMB 80 round trip) takes you to the marker where the two seas meet, where you can see the colour boundary between the Yellow Sea and the Bohai Sea.

Admission in peak season is about RMB 100, including Penglai Pavilion and Water City. The cable car costs extra. Tickets can be bought through the official “Penglai Pavilion” WeChat account.

Suggested route: From the main gate, first visit the ancient architectural complex and the main pavilion. Then follow the seaside boardwalk to Tianheng Hill, and finish at Water City. The route takes about 3 hours.

Getting there: A taxi from Penglai Bus Station takes about 10 minutes. Driving from Yantai city takes about 1 hour, and from Yantai Airport about 30 minutes. Penglai Port, the ferry pier for Changdao, is a 10-minute walk from the scenic area.

Notes: It is windy by the sea, so bring a jacket in spring and autumn. Sea mirages mostly appear on clear days after rain in the transition between spring and summer, so they cannot be guaranteed. Peak-season afternoons are crowded, so arriving in the morning is recommended.

Penglai Pavilion

Opening hours

Nearby sights

Places to eat nearby