Weihai Overview

Basic Information

• Chinese Name: 威海市
• Location: In eastern Shandong province, China.
• Area: About 5,797 square kilometers
• Population: 2,825,600
• Language: Mandarin, Weihai dialect which belongs to Jiaoliao Mandarin

Administrative Division

The prefecture-level city of Shandong, Weihai administers 4 county-level divisions including 2 districts and 2 county-level cities.

• 2 districts: 2 county-level cities (环翠区), Wendeng District (文登区)
• 2 county-level cities: Rongcheng (荣成市), Rushan (乳山市)

These areas are further divided into 66 township-level divisions, including 52 towns and 14 subdistricts.

Geography

Weihai is situated on the north-eastern seashore of Shandong, and its administrative area includes Chengshantou, the eastern tip of the Shandong Peninsula. The city is surrounded by sea on three sides and its harbor is protected by Liugong Island. Facing Liaotung Peninsula in north, across from Korea Peninsula over the sea in east, bordering Yantai in the west, Weihai enjoys good location. Its maximum horizontal distance between east and west is 135 kilometers, and the maximum longitudinal distance between north and south is 81 kilometers. Also, it has a long coastal line with 985.9 kilometers.

Weihai city belongs to wave-shaped hilly area. In addition to the Peak of Kunyushan Mountain which is 923 meters above sea level, other hills are all lower than 700 meters, and most of them are between 200 to 300 meters, with less than 25 meters’ slopes. The city consists of 15.77% low mountains, 52.38 % hills, 27.56% plains, 4.01% tidal flat and 0.28% islands.

Climate

Weihai belongs to humid subtropical climate, but as it is located at the eastern end of the Shandong Peninsula so that climate here is strongly influenced by the surrounding Yellow Sea. Springtime warming and autumn cooling are delayed by one month, winds are generally high, and the average diurnal temperature variation throughout the year is small—at only 6.73 °C (12.1 °F). Winters are cold and dry, but still warmer than inland places located at the same latitude; the average temperature in January is −0.9 °C (30.4 °F). Summers are hot and humid, and August averages 24.7 °C (76.5 °F); the annual mean is 12.48 °C (54.5 °F). More than two-thirds of the annual precipitation occurs from June to September, and there are nearly 2,540 hours of sunshine per year.

The Best Time to Go

The most suitable time for visiting Weihai is the period from June to August. The summer climate is particularly pleasant. Compared with the same latitude inland areas, Weihai enjoy suitable rainfall, moderate temperature and agreeable climate. In addition, thanks to the regulation of sea, the period sees spring’s coldness, summer’s coolness and autumn’s mildness, with slight temperature difference between day and night, long frost-free period, strong winds and obvious humidity. The time and the weather are suitable for going to summer resort.

Things to Do

Every tourist attractions could make you have lots of things to do. Every place has some must-visit sceneries that visitors shouldn’t miss. In Weihai, the top one must-visit place is Liugongdao Island which has profound and unique cultural landscape like ruins of the Warring States Period, the beautiful legend of Liugong and his mother in Han Dynasty, Navy School, the relics of the first Sino-Japanese War site, as well as gorgeous sights natural sceneries, with 87% of forest coverage rate. Of course, except Liugongdao Island, you could visit many other appalling scenic spots in Weihai. In addition to visit those wonderful tourist sites, you could experience sea riding as well as sea admiration at night because Weihai borders to sea on its three sides.

Transportation

As the development of Weihai’s economy and its urban development, Weihai transportation systems have promoted better and better. With its fairly complete transportation systems, you could take planes, trains, high-speed trains, couches, buses, shared bikes, etc. here. Also, as a city which neighbors the Yellow Sea in the north, east and south, water transport plays a key role in Weihai. To know more about Weihai Transportation.

History & Culture

Weihai has a long history. According to textual research of the unearthed cultural relic sites of ancient culture in China, there were the human beings living in Weihai in the Neolithic age.

Weihaiwei was the base for the Beiyang Fleet during the Qing Dynasty. In 1895, the Japanese captured it in the Battle of Weihaiwei, which is regarded as the last major battle of the First Sino-Japanese War. Since 2003, the Chinese battleship Dingyuan has been anchored here as a museum ship and memorial honoring Chinese soldiers who fought in that war.

Weihai witnessed different development and movement in varying dynasties and in its name or territory changed as the time went by. For example, in Spring and Autumn Period, the place ever belonged to the territory of Laizi State and the State of Qi. In 221 BC, the Emperor Qinshihuang united the six States and carried on the system of prefectures and counties, it belonged to Qi County. Later, in other period like Han Dynasty, the Three Kingdoms Period, Western jin Dynasty period, etc., it experienced changes, and at the meantime Weihai made progress in different times and succeeded in enriching itself. And nowadays, it is a prefecture-city which enjoys long history as well as profound culture.

As early as the Neolithic Age middle and later period, there was relatively developed original culture, which was proved by unearthed bronze wares of the times from the Western Zhou Dynasty (c. 11th century-771 B.C.) to the Warring States Period. In Ming and Qing Dynasty, various schools and academies that cultivated splendid learners were established, which is favorable for the development of culture. As for folk customs like drama and vaudeville were produced and kept.

Festival

Weihai’s favorable location is conductive to the local festivals, so that in addition to regular Chinese traditional festivals and activities, there are several activities in Weihai to show its local characteristics. Neighboring to the sea, so there are some festivals about sea.

Tourism

Weihai bounds with tourism resources, and it is a beautiful coastal city. There are islands, sea shores, urban gardening, historical sites, folk customs, etc. Appalling landscapes and seascapes attract numerous visitors here. Also, located in Shandong province which is near the Korea Peninsula, Weihai is a tourist destination choice for those from the peninsula. The coastline of Weihai is almost 1000 kilometers, with beyond 30 bays and 168 islands of different size. In addition to the charm of scenic sites, Lu cuisine, fresh seafood, unique local culture, more and more complete construction of tourism service, the development of Weihai, etc. are strength that makes Weihai a popular tourist destination.

Dining

What recommended food We should eat in Weihai? Seafood must be the top one answer to this question because Weihai enjoys a fine location. Seafood-based dishes are the most regular and popular food here. Seafood of all levels could be bought, and you could buy various alive and fresh in person because seafood like fish, crab, spiral shell, etc. are usually sold in front of restaurants, which could let customers see the freshness of food and it is much more convenient for customers to choose. No matter in fancy restaurants or food stalls on streets, you could taste fresh and delicious food.