Yantai Yangma Island Must-Visit Guide

At 37°N latitude on the Yellow Sea lies Yangma Island, a picturesque dreamland shining like a dazzling pearl with enchanting charm. Breathtaking Natural Scenery Experience the ultimate romance of "jelly sea" - during high tide on sunny days, the waters near Zhang Island's Conch Cave and Lotus Sunset Spot turn transparent blue like jelly, mesmerizingly clear. The 570-meter red plank road on Zhang Island resembles a "rainbow over the sea," while the ancient Roman-style ruins at Qinfeng Cliff glow with golden sunset light, maximizing romance. The unique "one island, three beaches" feature includes: the gentle golden sand beach in the east with soft golden sand, perfect for sunbathing; the black mudflat in the west that becomes mirror-smooth at low tide, ideal for clam digging; and the rocky beach at the back with dramatic waves crashing against peculiar rock formations that seem to tell ancient tales. Rich Historical and Cultural Heritage Yangma Island's history dates back to when Emperor Qin Shi Huang allegedly bred imperial horses here during his eastern tour, hence its name. The 30-meter-high Pegasus sculpture at Tianma Square symbolizes "a heavenly steed soaring across the skies," evoking past glory. The dynamic horse sculptures at Qinfeng Cliff, depicting "galloping hooves scaling waves," hold great artistic and historical value. Numerous horse-related legends and sculptures add mysterious cultural charm to the island. Mouthwatering Local Delicacies Don't miss Yangma Island's culinary highlights: mackerel dumplings, a Shandong specialty with juicy, flavorful fillings; sea intestine rice, where unique-textured intestines pair perfectly with sticky rice; sweet-and-sour scallop edge salad; and nutritious sea urchin steamed egg. Diverse Activities Rent an e-bike or drive along the 20km ring road to enter a comic-book scenery. Capture cinematic road shots with telephoto lenses on Tianma Road at 2-3 PM. For time-travel vibes, visit Longmen Village Ranch to ride horses in Han costumes amid coastal pastures with wuxia soundtrack. At dusk, watch sunset at Xishan Viewing Platform with orange-hued sea and silhouettes of seven horse sculptures. Comfortable Accommodations Fall asleep to ocean waves at Island Diary B&B with sea-view windows. Daxi B&B offers 270° floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking jelly sea and Little Elephant Island. For value, Haiyue Bay Hotel provides 5-minute beach access, free parking, gym, and laundry. Yangma Island is a treasure trove of natural beauty, history, cuisine, and experiences - come embark on your romantic island getaway!