Jiaodong Peninsula Coastal Self-Drive Tour

Drive from Qingdao along the Yellow Sea, around the eastern tip of the peninsula to Penglai and Changdao, exploring beaches, capes, and islands.

This route heads east along the coast and then turns north, adding Haiyang, Rushan, and Changdao to the common Qingdao-Weihai-Yantai route. While it involves more hotel changes, the driving distances are short. It is perfect for beach lovers who don't mind changing hotels every two days. To keep the focus on the coast, inland areas are skipped: only the Yangkou area of Mount Lao is visited, only one night is spent on Changdao, and the car is left at the Penglai wharf.

September and October offer the best off-peak experience; coastal roads are often congested during the summer holidays.

Day by day

Day 1 · Half-Day in Qingdao Old Town

Qingdao（Zhanqiao Pier、St. Michael's Cathedral、Pichaiyuan Food Street、Daxue Road & Yushan Road）

Pick up your car at the airport and drive to the Old Town (about 1 hour). Park at the hotel and explore on foot.

Stay: Zhongshan Road · Zhanqiao Pier

Day 2 · Badaguan to Olympic Sailing Center

Qingdao（Badaguan Scenic Area、Taipingjiao、Tsingtao Beer Museum、May Fourth Square、Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center）

Walk and take taxis along the coast. The drive from Badaguan to May Fourth Square takes about 20 minutes.

Stay: Zhongshan Road · Zhanqiao Pier

Day 3 · Mount Lao Yangkou to Haiyang Beach

Qingdao（Laoshan Yangkou Scenic Area） → Rushan & Haiyang（Haiyang Ten-Thousand-Meter Beach、Haiyang International Sand Sculpture Art Park）

Drive from the Old Town to Yangkou (about 1 hour). In the afternoon, drive via Jimo to Haiyang (about 1.5 hours).

Stay: Haiyang Wanmi Beach

Day 4 · Yintan Beach & Seaweed-Roof House Fishing Village

Rushan & Haiyang（Rushan Silver Beach） → Weihai & Rongcheng（Dongchudao Seaweed Houses）

Drive from Haiyang to Rushan Yintan (about 1 hour), then to Dongchudao (about 1.5 hours), and head north to Xiangxianghai (about 1 hour).

Stay: Rongcheng · Naxianghai

Day 5 · Chengshantou & Diamond Beach

Weihai & Rongcheng（Chengshan Cape (Chengshantou)、Bruvis Shipwreck、Naxianghai Diamond Beach）

Drive to Chengshantou in the early morning (about 40 minutes). In the afternoon, return to Xiangxianghai along the Coastal Road.

It is recommended to book Chengshantou 3 days in advance; check the tide table before clam digging.

Stay: Rongcheng · Naxianghai

Day 6 · Liugong Island & Coastal Road

Weihai & Rongcheng（Liugong Island、Weihai Park & Happiness Gate、Huoju 8th Street）

Drive from Xiangxianghai to the Liugong Island Wharf (about 1 hour). In the afternoon, drive along the Coastal Road to Torch 8th Street.

Make a real-name reservation for Liugong Island 1 to 3 days in advance; the last ferry to the island departs early.

Stay: Huancui District City Center · Weihai Park

Day 7 · Yangma Island to Yantai Treaty Port Area

Yantai City & Penglai（Yangma Island、Yantai Hill、Chaoyang Street、Changyu Wine Culture Museum）

Drive from Weihai to Yangma Island (about 1 hour). After driving around the island, head to Yantai Old Town (about 40 minutes).

Stay: Yantai Mountain · Chaoyang Street

Day 8 · Penglai Pavilion & Ferry to Changdao

Yantai City & Penglai（Penglai Pavilion） → Changdao Islands（Wangfu Reef）

Drive from Yantai to Penglai (about 1 hour and 10 minutes). Leave your car at the wharf parking lot and take a 40-minute ferry to Changdao.

Purchase ferry tickets in advance via the WeChat mini-program; services may be suspended during strong winds or heavy fog.

Stay: Crescent Bay, North Changshan Island

Day 9 · Jiuzhangya, Yueya Bay & Return

Changdao Islands（Jiuzhang Cliff、Yueya Bay (Changdao)）

Explore the island by taxi or rented electric scooter. Take the afternoon ferry back to Penglai, then drive to the airport (about 40 minutes).

Keep the risk of ferry suspensions in mind; try not to book an early morning flight on your departure day.