Yantai (烟台)

1. Introduction

Yantai City, abbreviated as Yan, historically known as Zhifu, and also called Port City, is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of Shandong Province, People's Republic of China. Designated as a coastal open city by the State Council, it is located in the eastern part of Shandong Province. The city borders Weihai to the east, Qingdao to the southwest, Weifang to the west, the Bohai Sea to the north, and the Yellow Sea to the south, facing the Liaodong Peninsula, North Korea, and South Korea across the sea. Situated in the north-central part of the Jiaodong Peninsula, Yantai is surrounded by sea to the north and south and connected to land to the east and west. Its terrain can be divided into four regions: low mountains, hills, plains, and coastline, with 63 islands of various sizes. The western part features Daze Mountain, the central part has Ai Mountain, and the eastern part is home to Kunyu Mountain. Major rivers include the Wulong River, Xin'an River, Dagu Jia River, Huangshui River, Jie River, Wang River, and Dagu River. The municipal government is located at No. 6 Furong Road, Laishan District. Yantai is a central city of the Shandong Peninsula urban agglomeration, recognized as one of China's most charming cities and a recipient of the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour Award. The Yantai Museum, established in 1958, is the largest comprehensive museum in Yantai, showcasing the city's history, culture, and art. It highlights Yantai's unique historical and cultural heritage and its developmental trajectory.

2. Origin of the Place Name

Yantai was formerly known as "Zhifu." Zhifu, written as "Zhifu" before the Qing Dynasty, derived its name from the ancient Zhifu Mountain, which is now located within Zhifu Island. According to Records of the Grand Historian, in the 28th year of Emperor Qin Shi Huang's reign (219 BCE), the emperor traveled east and ascended Zhifu Mountain, giving rise to the name Zhifu. Due to its early opening as a port, the internationally recognized name for Yantai became Chefoo, a transliteration of its old name Zhifu. The Encyclopædia Britannica refers to Yantai as "Chefoo."

The name "Yantai" originates from Yantai Mountain. In the 31st year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1398), to defend against Japanese pirate raids, the Qishan Garrison Thousand-Household Fortress City was built at the northern foot of Qishan Mountain. Simultaneously, a signal tower, also known as a "wolf smoke beacon tower," was established on "North Mountain," abbreviated as "Yantai." In case of enemy sightings, smoke was raised during the day and fires were lit at night as an alarm. Thus, Yantai Mountain got its name, and the city of Yantai was named after Yantai Mountain.

3. History

3.1. Ancient Times

• The area has been inhabited since the Neolithic period, with multiple shell midden sites discovered, such as the Baishi Cultural Site in Zhifu District, which dates back 7,000 years and is the earliest human settlement discovered to date on the Jiaodong Peninsula in Shandong.
• In ancient times, it was the territory of the Dongyi tribe. During the Xia Dynasty, the Dongyi tribe established a state here.
• During the Shang Dynasty, Western Zhou, and Spring and Autumn periods, it was part of the Lai State, whose capital was possibly at the Guicheng site in Longkou.
• During the Warring States period, it belonged to the Qi State, which established the Ye Yi, said to be located in present-day Longkou City.
• Around 1036 BC, the Yangzhu Temple on Zhifu Island was first built, considered the oldest temple in China with historical records. It was expanded many times in later generations, becoming large in scale. However, starting in the 1960s, it was gradually demolished by the People's Liberation Army, and now only a few structures, such as the opera stage, remain.
• During the Qin Dynasty, it was part of Qi Commandery.
• In 218 BC, Qin Shi Huang toured east to Zhifu Island, leaving behind the "Zhifu Stone Inscription" and initiating the construction of the Eastern Tour Palace. The Zhifu Stone Inscription later fell into the sea and its whereabouts are unknown; only rubbings of 14 characters survive today. The Eastern Tour Palace was demolished in 1966.
• During the Han Dynasty, it was Donglai Commandery.
• During the Jin Dynasty, it was the Donglai Kingdom.
• During the Northern and Southern Dynasties, it was Donglai and Changguang Commanderies.
• During the Sui Dynasty, it was Laizhou.
• During the Tang, Song, and Yuan Dynasties, Dengzhou and Laizhou were established.
• In 1061, construction began on Penglai Pavilion, one of China's Four Great Towers. It has been repaired through various dynasties but never rebuilt, remaining well-preserved to this day.
• Around 1293, the Sanhe Pagoda in Yantai was completed. It was later rebuilt multiple times, including in 1923.
• During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, it was under Dengzhou Prefecture and Laizhou Prefecture. During the Ming Dynasty, to defend against Japanese pirates, Dengzhou Guard was established in present-day Penglai District.
• In 1398, construction began on Yantai's Qishan Suocheng, considered the prototype of modern Yantai City.
• In 1684, the Yantai Dongshan Kuixing Tower was completed.
• In 1810, the Yantai Grand Temple was established, a landmark building for local sea deity worship in Yantai. After being destroyed in 1966 and 1974, only the Grand Temple opera stage remains today.

3.2. Treaty Port and Concession Period

• In June 1858, the Qing government signed the Treaty of Tientsin with Britain, France, and other countries, opening ten ports, including Dengzhou, as treaty ports.
• On June 8, 1860, over 3,000 French troops occupied Yantai Hill, marking the beginning of the French occupation of Yantai.
• In May 1861, the Qing government approved changing the designated treaty port to Yantai. On August 22, Wang Qizeng, an acting prefect of Zhili, presided over the official opening ceremony of Yantai as a treaty port and announced the establishment of the Eastern Customs. Subsequently, 17 countries including Britain, France, and the United States established consulates in Yantai.
• On February 14, 1862, the Deng-Lai-Qing Military Defense Circuit moved its seat from Laizhou Prefecture to Yantai, with Circuit Intendant Chongfang concurrently serving as the Superintendent of the Eastern Customs. It was renamed Deng-Lai-Qing-Jiao Circuit in 1904, overseeing Dengzhou Prefecture, Laizhou Prefecture, Qingzhou Prefecture, and Jiaozhou.
• In 1864, the American Presbyterian Mission founded the Mengyang School in Dengzhou Prefecture, later renamed Tengchow College (Tengchow College), which was China's first modern university.
• In 1865, the first modern museum in Yantai opened on Daoshu Street.
• In 1871, apples, pears, and grapes were introduced to Yantai from New York State, USA, by missionary John L. Nevius, and began to be widely cultivated. The Guangxing Orchard in Yuhuangding Park is the location where Yantai's first apple tree was planted. Nevius was also buried in the International Cemetery within Yuhuangding Park after his death.
• In 1876, Beiyang Minister Li Hongzhang and British Minister Thomas Wade negotiated in Yantai over the Margary Affair, signing the unequal Treaty of Yantai that same year.
• In 1877, Eastern Customs Superintendent Zhang Yinhuan and the British Consul formally delineated the boundaries of the Yantai Concession, marking the beginning of the period of the illegal Yantai Concession.
• In 1880, the China Inland Mission founded the Chefoo School in Yantai, a British-style school for missionary children, once praised as "the best English school east of the Suez Canal." In June, the Chefoo Observatory was established on Grape Hill.
• In May 1895, the Sino-Japanese Treaty of Shimonoseki was exchanged in Chefoo (Yantai), China. Five meetings were held in total; the first two took place on May 7 at the Deng-Lai-Qing Circuit Office (the former site of the Yantai Municipal Government), and the latter three at the Beach Hotel.
• In December 1909, the Yantai Municipal Council was established, jointly deciding to formally designate the Yantai commercial port as an International Settlement under joint Chinese and foreign administration.
• On February 13, 1911, a plague outbreak occurred in Yantai. French nuns from the French Catholic hospital at the foot of Yantai Hill played a major role in the relief efforts. The Yantai Maria Auxilium Christianorum Church and many other churches were used as wards for patients. By 1913, the plague had largely ended. In 1914, the Beiyang Government of the Republic of China awarded Bishop Augustin Chausse of the East Shandong Diocese the Third Class Jiahe Medal. Missionaries such as Henri Vielle, Modeste Andlauer, and Jean-Baptiste Ma were awarded the Sixth Class Jiahe Medal.

3.3. Republic of China Mainland Period

• On November 12, 1911, the Shandong branch of the Tongmenghui staged an uprising in Yantai, and Yantai declared independence. On the 13th, the Shandong Military Government was established (renamed the Shandong Yantai Military and Administrative Government the next day).
• In January 1913, prefectures and subprefectures were abolished. On January 5, a mutiny broke out among the Yantai garrison in Shandong due to issues with troop reorganization and demobilization.
• In May 1914, the Deng-Lai-Qing-Jiao Circuit was abolished and replaced by the Jiaodong Circuit, with its seat in Fushan County (present-day Zhifu District). Its jurisdiction roughly covered the entire area of present-day Yantai City, most of Weihai City, most of Qingdao City, all of Weifang City, as well as the urban area of Rizhao, Wulian County, Guangrao County, and Linzi District of Zibo City in Shandong.
• In October 1925, the Jiaodong Circuit was abolished and divided, establishing the Donghai Circuit with its seat in Fushan County (present-day Zhifu District). Its jurisdiction corresponded to present-day Yantai City and Weihai City (excluding the British leased territory of Weihaiwei).
• In May 1928, Zhang Zongchang was driven out of Shandong by the Northern Expeditionary Army, and the Donghai Circuit was abolished.
• In January 1930, the Yantai Municipal Council was dissolved, ending the Yantai Concession period. The provincial government resolved to establish Yantai City by separating it from Fushan County. In September, the Executive Yuan ruled that it did not meet legal requirements and did not approve it.
• In 1931, following anti-Chinese riots in Wanbaoshan, Korea, the Yantai Litong Steamship Company independently evacuated Chinese nationals in the name of Yantai City.
• In 1932, Yantai Special Administrative District was directly under the Provincial Department of Civil Affairs.
• On February 3, 1938, Japanese forces occupied Yantai. Yantai obtained its first administrative status as a city.
• On August 24, 1945, the Eighth Route Army occupied Yantai. The Jiaodong Administrative Region was established the same year.
• In February 1946, Yantai City was established by separating areas from Fushan and Muping counties.
• Starting in September 1947, a series of battles broke out between the Nationalist and Communist armies on the Jiaodong Peninsula, historically known as the Jiaodong Campaign. In October, Communist forces took control of Yantai City. That same year, Yantai was designated as a province-administered city.
• In October 1948, the People's Liberation Army occupied Yantai City, which remained under the jurisdiction of the Jiaodong Administrative Region.

3.4. People's Republic of China Period

• In 1950, Wendeng Prefecture, Laiyang Prefecture, and Yantai City were established. In 1956, Wendeng and Laiyang Prefectures merged to form Laiyang Prefecture.
• In 1958, Laiyang Prefecture and Yantai City merged to form the Yantai Prefecture.
• In November 1983, the prefecture-level Yantai City was established.
• In October 1987, the prefecture-level Weihai City was formed, comprising Huancui District and the three counties of Rongcheng, Wendeng, and Rushan, which were separated from Yantai. Yantai administered 2 districts, 6 counties, and oversaw 3 county-level cities.
• In 1998, Yantai City administered 4 districts, 1 county, and oversaw 7 county-level cities.
• From June 16 to 23, 2012, the 3rd Asian Beach Games were held in Haiyang City, Yantai.
• On June 5, 2020, Penglai City and Changdao County were abolished, and Penglai District of Yantai City was established. Yantai City now administers 5 districts and oversees 6 county-level cities.

4. Geography

It borders Weihai to the east, Weifang to the west, and Qingdao to the southwest. To the north, it faces the Bohai Sea and the Yellow Sea, standing opposite the Liaodong Peninsula and looking across the sea at Dalian.

4.1. Topography

Yantai's terrain is characterized by low mountains and hills. Its maximum horizontal span is 214 kilometers, and its maximum vertical span is 130 kilometers. The total land area of the city is 13,745.95 square kilometers, with the urban area covering 2,643.60 square kilometers. The city's coastline stretches 702.5 kilometers, and the length of its islands' coastlines totals 206.62 kilometers.

The terrain composition is as follows:

• 36.62% Mountains
• 39.7% Hills
• 20.78% Plains
• 2.90% Basins

The average height of the mountains is 500 meters, with the highest point being Mount Kunyu at 922.8 meters. Hills range in height from about 100 to 300 meters.

4.2. Hydrology

The river network within the city is relatively developed, with numerous small and medium-sized rivers. There are 121 rivers longer than 5 kilometers, among which rivers with a drainage area exceeding 300 square kilometers include the Dagu Jia River, Wulong River, Dagu River, Wang River, Jie River, Huangshui River, and Xin'an River.

The main rivers use the "Jiaodong Ridge," formed by the east-west stretching Mount Kunyu, Mount Ya, Mount Ai, Mount Luo, and Mount Daze, as a watershed, flowing north and south into the sea. The Wulong River and Dagu River flow south into the Yellow Sea; the Dagu Jia River and Xin'an River flow north into the Yellow Sea; the Huangshui River, Jie River, and Wang River flow into the Bohai Sea. These rivers are characterized by steep riverbed gradients, short sources, rapid flow, and sudden rises and falls, belonging to the monsoon rain-fed type. The alluvial plains they form have thick and fertile sandy soil layers, abundantly producing apples, cherries, pears, and grapes.

4.3. Sea Area and Islands

Yantai City faces the Bohai Sea and the Yellow Sea. Zhifu Island is the largest and most typical tombolo in China.

Yantai's sea area contains 63 bedrock islands of various sizes, with larger ones including Zhifu Island, South Changshan Island, and Yangma Island. There are 15 inhabited islands: South Changshan Island, North Changshan Island, Daheishan Island, Xiaoheishan Island, Miao Island, Tuoji Island, Daqin Island, Xiaoqin Island, Nanhuangcheng Island, and Beihuangcheng Island in Changdao County; Sang Island in Longkou City; Kongtong Island in Zhifu District; Yangma Island in Muping District; and Magu Island and Lu Island in Haiyang City.

The coastal landforms are mainly divided into rocky coasts and sandy coasts. From Hutou Cliff in Laizhou City in the west to Dongshan Beitou in Muping District in the east, the coast is a rugged rocky shore, while the rest is mostly sandy shore.

4.4. Climate

Yantai City has a warm temperate continental monsoon climate, characterized by mild temperatures, no extreme cold or heat, and four distinct seasons. The city's average annual precipitation is 651.9 mm, the average annual temperature is 11.8°C, the average annual relative humidity is 68%, the average annual sunshine duration is 2,698.4 hours, the average annual total solar radiation is 5,224.4 megajoules per square meter, the average annual wind speed is 3–4 m/s in inland areas and 4–6 m/s in coastal areas, and the average annual frost-free period for the city is 210 days. Nestled between mountains and sea, Yantai enjoys a pleasant climate and is a famous tourist summer resort and leisure vacation destination in northern China.

Regarding Yantai's climate, there are significant differences between districts. For example, during winter snowfall, areas like Fushan District, Zhifu District, and Laishan District often experience heavier snow (sometimes blizzards), while county-level cities like Laiyang may have no snow.

Meteorological observations in Yantai began relatively early. In 1886, British missionaries established a weather station on Grape Hill in Zhifu to observe temperature and precipitation in the Zhifu commercial port area. This was the earliest weather station in Shandong. Later, this weather station was incorporated into the Yantai Observatory.

Yantai Meteorological Data (1886–1924)

| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | |-----------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|----------| | Avg. precip. mm (in) | 12.9 (0.51) | 10.5 (0.41) | 16.5 (0.65) | 25.8 (1.02) | 33.4 (1.31) | 60.4 (2.38) | 169.7 (6.68) | 155.8 (6.13) | 64.1 (2.52) | 25.0 (0.98) | 28.6 (1.13) | 17.1 (0.67) | 619.8 (24.40) | | Avg. precipitation days (≥0.1 mm) | 3.9 | 2.2 | 3.0 | 3.8 | 4.2 | 5.1 | 9.0 | 9.1 | 4.8 | 3.6 | 4.1 | 4.6 | 57.4 |

Yantai Meteorological Data (1981–2021 Normals, Extremes 1886–present)

| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | |-----------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|----------| | Record high °C (°F) | 12.3 (54.1) | 20.1 (68.2) | 25.2 (77.4) | 31 (88) | 37.5 (99.5) | 35 (95) | 38.3 (100.9) | 35.1 (95.2) | 33.0 (91.4) | 30.1 (86.2) | 29.4 (84.9) | 19.2 (66.6) | 38.3 (100.9) | | Avg. high °C (°F) | 2.0 (35.6) | 3.9 (39.0) | 9.6 (49.3) | 17.5 (63.5) | 22.9 (73.2) | 26.7 (80.1) | 28.6 (83.5) | 27.9 (82.2) | 24.7 (76.5) | 19.3 (66.7) | 11.7 (53.1) | 5.0 (41.0) | 16.7 (62.0) | | Daily mean °C (°F) | -0.9 (30.4) | 0.6 (33.1) | 5.5 (41.9) | 12.7 (54.9) | 18.3 (64.9) | 22.5 (72.5) | 25.1 (77.2) | 25.1 (77.2) | 21.7 (71.1) | 15.9 (60.6) | 8.5 (47.3) | 2.1 (35.8) | 13.1 (55.6) | | Avg. low °C (°F) | -3.2 (26.2) | -1.9 (28.6) | 2.3 (36.1) | 8.9 (48.0) | 14.4 (57.9) | 19.0 (66.2) | 22.4 (72.3) | 22.6 (72.7) | 19.1 (66.4) | 13.1 (55.6) | 5.8 (42.4) | -0.2 (31.6) | 10.2 (50.3) | | Record low °C (°F) | -16.3 (2.7) | -14.1 (6.6) | -12.0 (10.4) | -2.0 (28.4) | 6.1 (43.0) | 10.7 (51.3) | 16.3 (61.3) | 18.0 (64.4) | 9.9 (49.8) | 3.2 (37.8) | -5.1 (22.8) | -12.4 (9.7) | -16.3 (2.7) | | Avg. precip. mm (in) | 22.1 (0.87) | 21.0 (0.83) | 25.7 (1.01) | 47.7 (1.88) | 58.1 (2.29) | 88.4 (3.48) | 178.9 (7.04) | 163.3 (6.43) | 78.6 (3.09) | 39.6 (1.56) | 40.3 (1.59) | 28.0 (1.10) | 791.7 (31.17) | | Average snowfall cm (inches) | 14.80 (5.83) | 11.81 (4.65) | 5.04 (1.98) | 0.264 (0.10) | 0.0055 (0.00) | 0.0022 (0.00) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 4.79 (1.89) | 19.70 (7.76) | 56.41 (22.21) | | Average precipitation days (≥0.1 mm) | 6.4 | 5.0 | 4.7 | 6.2 | 6.2 | 8.5 | 11.7 | 10.3 | 7.1 | 6.2 | 6.2 | 7.5 | 86.0 | | Average snowy days | 15.2 | 11.5 | 4.6 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.8 | 8.0 | 42 | | Average relative humidity (%) | 59 | 58 | 54 | 51 | 59 | 65 | 78 | 79 | 67 | 59 | 59 | 59 | 62 | | Mean monthly sunshine hours | 148.9 | 173.0 | 243.8 | 260.8 | 290.0 | 276.9 | 261.7 | 259.7 | 243.3 | 222.7 | 173.8 | 143.7 | 2,698.3 | | Percentage of possible sunshine | 48 | 57 | 65.5 | 66 | 66 | 63 | 59 | 62 | 65 | 64 | 57 | 49 | 60.1 |

The observation site has been located at the summit of Mount Daiwang since 1950, with the first observation recorded on April 23, 1886. Average snowfall is measured by snow depth.

5. Administrative Divisions

Yantai City currently administers 5 municipal districts and oversees 6 county-level cities on behalf of the province.

• Municipal Districts: Zhifu District, Fushan District, Muping District, Laishan District, Penglai District
• County-level Cities: Longkou City, Laiyang City, Laizhou City, Zhaoyuan City, Qixia City, Haiyang City

Additionally, Yantai City has established the following economic functional zones: National-level Yantai Economic and Technological Development Zone, National-level Yantai High-tech Industrial Development Zone, National-level Kunyu Mountain Nature Reserve, and Changdao Marine Ecological Civilization Comprehensive Experimental Zone.

Administrative Divisions of Yantai City

| Division Code | Division Name | Chinese Pinyin | Area (km²) | Resident Population (2020 Census) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | Townships | |----------|----------|----------|------------------|------------------------|----------|----------|------|----|----| | 370600 | Yantai City | Yāntái Shì | 13,851.50 | 7,102,116 | Laishan District | 264010 | 66 | 82 | 6 | | 370602 | Zhifu District | Zhīfú Qū | 179.18 | 877,237 | Xiangyang Subdistrict | 264001 | 12 | | | | 370611 | Fushan District | Fúshān Qū | 933.81 | 905,839 | Qingyang Subdistrict | 265500 | 8 | 3 | | | 370612 | Muping District | Mùpíng Qū | 1,519.75 | 454,186 | Ninghai Subdistrict | 264100 | 5 | 8 | | | 370613 | Laishan District | Láishān Qū | 328.40 | 481,478 | Huanghailu Subdistrict | 264600 | 7 | | | | 370614 | Penglai District | Pénglái Qū | 1,195.51 | 472,559 | Dengzhou Subdistrict | 265600 | 6 | 8 | 6 | | 370681 | Longkou City | Lóngkǒu Shì | 901.05 | 729,880 | Xinjia Subdistrict | 265700 | 5 | 8 | | | 370682 | Laiyang City | Láiyáng Shì | 1,730.54 | 794,986 | Chengxiang Subdistrict | 265200 | 5 | 13 | | | 370683 | Laizhou City | Láizhōu Shì | 1,928.03 | 824,708 | Wenchanglu Subdistrict | 261400 | 6 | 11 | | | 370685 | Zhaoyuan City | Zhāoyuǎn Shì | 1,432.32 | 543,127 | Luofeng Subdistrict | 265400 | 5 | 9 | | | 370686 | Qixia City | Qīxiá Shì | 1,793.20 | 435,405 | Zhuangyuan Subdistrict | 265300 | 3 | 12 | | | 370687 | Haiyang City | Hǎiyáng Shì | 1,909.69 | 582,711 | Dongcun Subdistrict | 265100 | 4 | 10 | |

6. Economy

In 2012, Yantai's GDP reached 528.138 billion yuan, ranking 21st nationally and second within Shandong province, only after Qingdao. Yantai's economic strength places it among the top five prefecture-level cities in China. In 2014, the city's total GDP amounted to 600.2 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 9.1%. By 2018, Yantai's GDP grew to 783.258 billion yuan with a growth rate of 6.4%, ranking third in the province, following Qingdao and Jinan. In 2023, Yantai's economic output exceeded one trillion yuan for the first time.

6.1. Industrial Structure

Yantai possesses strong industrial advantages. It is home to 2,687 industrial enterprises above a designated size, with main business revenue exceeding 1.5 trillion yuan. Industries such as machinery manufacturing, electronic information, and modern chemicals hold significant competitive advantages and are showing a new trend of accelerated outward transfer. Emerging industries like new materials, biotechnology, and high-end equipment are flourishing, better positioned to undertake related industrial transfers and investment cooperation. Consumer-oriented service sectors like commerce, trade, transportation, and cultural tourism are relatively well-developed, while producer-oriented services such as financial services and technology R&D are growing rapidly. Its export-oriented agriculture leads the nation, with agricultural products exported to 85 countries and regions. The added value of the primary industry was 37.731 billion yuan, an increase of 4.6%; the secondary industry added value was 298.509 billion yuan, up 10.2%; and the tertiary industry added value was 191.898 billion yuan, rising 11.6%. The primary industry accounted for 7.2% of the GDP, the secondary industry for 56.5%, and the tertiary industry for 36.3%. The per capita GDP was 75,672 yuan, an increase of 10.2%.

6.2. Fiscal Revenue and Expenditure

In 2012, the public finance budget revenue reached 35.736 billion yuan, an increase of 5.417 billion yuan or 17.9% compared to the previous year. Tax revenue within this amounted to 26.283 billion yuan, growing by 14.5%. Public finance budget expenditure was 47.687 billion yuan. The total national and local tax revenue for the year completed was 74.880 billion yuan, a 12.7% increase year-on-year. Specifically, national tax revenue (including customs collection) reached 46.454 billion yuan, and local tax revenue reached 28.426 billion yuan, increasing by 4.5% and 29.1% respectively. In 2014, the public finance budget revenue completed was 49.02 billion yuan, a growth of 12.1%, which was 1.9 percentage points higher than the provincial average.

6.3. Development Prospects

The guiding ideology for Yantai's economic and social development during the "12th Five-Year Plan" period is: Holding high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, guided by Deng Xiaoping Theory and the important thought of "Three Represents," thoroughly implementing the Scientific Outlook on Development, focusing on scientific development as the theme, accelerating the transformation of the economic development model as the main thread, driven by reform, opening up, and independent innovation, with ensuring and improving people's livelihood as the fundamental starting point and ultimate goal, aiming to build a modern international port city, accelerating the strategic adjustment of the economic structure, holistic advancement of social construction, substantive breakthroughs in institutional reforms, and comprehensive enhancement of the level of openness, to build a comprehensively well-off society at a higher level, take the lead in basically achieving modernization, and strive to build a strong blue economy city, an innovative and vibrant city, a famous city with distinctive culture, and a harmonious and happy home.

6.4. Urban and Rural Construction

Urban Planning: Regulatory detailed planning. Throughout the year, a cumulative building area of 36,467 square meters was approved for construction, with regulatory plan coverage in the urban built-up area reaching 95%. Urban Management: High-standard activities for the "Urban Management Year" were carried out. The central urban area achieved digital urban management connectivity across five districts, covering an urban area of 130 square kilometers. The city added 2.38 million square meters of centralized heating network coverage, raising the heating penetration rate to 71.4%, and the gas penetration rate reached 99.3%. An additional 1,778 villages (communities) were integrated into the urban-rural domestic waste treatment system. The timely collection and treatment rate of urban waste remained above 98%. The city operates 73 public bus routes with 1,742 buses, covering an operational route length of 1,854 kilometers. Housing Construction: In 2010, Yantai City started construction on 6,280 units of affordable housing covering 464,000 square meters, and 1,213 units of low-rent housing projects covering 67,000 square meters. It also secured 420 units of public rental housing. Throughout the year, 5,594 units of affordable housing and 811 units of low-rent housing were supplied. The total construction area of buildings in Yantai City was 39.217 million square meters, with a completed area of 16.913 million square meters.

6.5. Blue Economy

In 2014, full efforts were made to advance the construction of the "Blue and Yellow" zones, accelerating the formation of a development pattern characterized by "one pole leading, multiple poles rising." The total investment in key blue economy projects under construction in the city exceeded 800 billion yuan. The Eastern Marine Economic New Area achieved leading development, with over 110 infrastructure and public welfare projects progressing rapidly.

• The Marine Economic Development Center was fully completed. The Yantai Marine Property Rights Exchange Center was officially established with provincial government approval, becoming the first provincial-level marine property rights trading platform in China.
• Construction began on 10 industrial projects each with investment exceeding 100 million yuan, including the Haide New Energy Automobile Industrial Park. Over the next five years, infrastructure investment is expected to exceed 30 billion yuan, and industrial project investment over 200 billion yuan.
• In the western growth pole of Laizhou, 71 projects each with investment over 100 million yuan were completed or under construction, with a total investment of 89.4 billion yuan.
• The southern growth pole includes Haiyang Yasha New City and Laiyang Nanhai New Area.
• The main structure of the Longkou artificial island group in the northern growth pole was completed. In Zhaoyuan Coastal Science and Technology Industrial Park, construction began on 30 projects each with investment over 100 million yuan, with a total investment exceeding 27 billion yuan. In Penglai West Coast Cultural New Area, 16 projects settled with a total investment of nearly 30 billion yuan.
• For the island growth pole, the Changdao Inter-island Bridge was completed and opened to traffic, achieving cross-sea water supply between Penglai and Changdao. Tourism ticket revenue exceeded 100 million yuan for the first time.

6.6. Rural Economy

Yantai has 91 towns, 6 townships, 53 sub-district offices, 585 neighborhood committees, 6,199 villagers' committees, and 6,864 natural villages.

Agricultural Production: The added value of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, and fishery for the year was 37.731 billion yuan, an increase of 4.6%. Specifically, agricultural added value was 18.694 billion yuan (up 4.6%); forestry added value was 810 million yuan (up 9.3%); animal husbandry added value was 6.281 billion yuan (up 6.8%); fishery added value was 10.771 billion yuan (up 2.9%); and services for agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, and fishery added value was 1.175 billion yuan (up 6.0%).

Agricultural Industrialization: There are 1,000 leading agricultural industrialization enterprises with annual main business revenue exceeding 5 million yuan, including 110 enterprises with revenue over 100 million yuan and 55 enterprises with export earnings exceeding 10 million USD. In 2010, the city's top 100 leading agricultural enterprises achieved sales revenue of 55.49 billion yuan, an increase of 18.9%, and paid taxes of 2.62 billion yuan, up 15.1%. Leading enterprises drove 3 million households both inside and outside the city, establishing bases covering 6.5 million mu. Additionally, 140 new farmer professional cooperatives were established.

Agricultural Standardization: The city's standardized agricultural production bases reached 4.5 million mu. 188 new "Three Products" (pollution-free, green, organic) were certified, bringing the total to 578. Following five districts/cities including Laiyang, three more—Muping, Laizhou, and Zhaoyuan—were added as national-level green agriculture demonstration zones, making Yantai the largest green agriculture demonstration area in China.

6.7. New Rural Construction

In 2011, electricity and telephone services reached 6,423 villages in the city, roads reached 6,422 villages, and 5,969 villages benefited from tap water. Six renovation projects for dilapidated housing in forest areas were started, involving 240 households and a renovation area of 14,700 square meters.

In 2014, efforts accelerated to confirm and certify rural land contract management rights. Registration and certification were completed in 4,038 villages, accounting for 72% of the total villages requiring confirmation. The transfer of rural land contract management rights was also expedited, with 108 township-level service centers for rural land contract management rights transfer established. Transferred land amounted to 627,000 mu, involving 179,000 households. By December 2014, the number of cooperatives in the city developed to 8,112, with a membership rate of 51%, ranking second in the province.

6.8. Opening-up Advantages

After over 30 years of reform and opening-up, Yantai has formed unique opening-up advantages. "Bringing in" has achieved remarkable results. By the end of 2014, the cumulative actual utilization of foreign capital reached 28.1 billion USD, with over 90 Fortune Global 500 companies having established presence. "Going global" is becoming increasingly active. More than 30 backbone enterprises like Wanhua, Linglong, and Jereh have expanded overseas, cooperating with leading industries and companies in regions such as Europe, America, and Southeast Asia. By the end of 2014, the city had 337 overseas investment enterprises (institutions), covering over 50 countries and regions. Particularly, as Yantai enterprises grow stronger, their overseas investment fields have expanded from traditional industries to emerging sectors like finance, shipping, and tourism. For example, the China-Korea Ferry Company established an international shipping company in Hong Kong, operating international passenger and cargo ship transportation and port services. Along the "Belt and Road" countries, a cumulative total of 113 investment projects were completed with Chinese contractual investment of 490 million USD, covering 27 countries and regions including Russia, Singapore, and Thailand, involving sectors such as resource extraction, processing and manufacturing, shipping logistics, and coastal tourism. There were 14 overseas contracted engineering projects with a total contract value of 1.01 billion USD, covering over 10 countries and regions including Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Laos.

7. Transportation

Railways: Qingdao–Rongcheng Intercity Railway, Lanshan–Yantai Railway, Longkou–Yantai Railway, Taocun–Weihai Railway, and the Yantai–Dalian Railway Ferry.

National Highways: National Highway 204, National Highway 206, National Highway 228.

International Airport: Yantai Penglai International Airport.

8. Education

8.1. Universities

| No. | Institution Name | Governing Authority | Level | |------|------------------------------|------------------------|--------------------| | 1 | Yantai University | Shandong Province | Regular Public Undergraduate | | 2 | Ludong University (formerly Yantai Normal College) | Shandong Province | Regular Public Undergraduate | | 3 | Yantai Campus of Binzhou Medical University | Shandong Province | Regular Public Undergraduate | | 4 | Shandong Technology and Business University | Shandong Province | Regular Public Undergraduate | | 5 | Yantai Nanshan University | Shandong Province | Private Undergraduate | | 6 | Yantai Research Institute of China Agricultural University | Ministry of Education | 985/211 | | 7 | Yantai Institute of Technology | Shandong Province | Independent College | | 8 | Quancheng College of Jinan University | Shandong Province | Independent College | | 9 | Haidu College of Qingdao Agricultural University | Shandong Province | Independent College | | 10 | Shandong College of Traditional Chinese Medicine | Shandong Province | Public Higher Vocational | | 11 | Yantai Vocational College | Shandong Province | Public Higher Vocational | | 12 | Shandong Business Institute | Shandong Province | Public Higher Vocational | | 13 | Yantai Engineering & Technology College | Shandong Province | Public Higher Vocational | | 14 | Yantai Automotive Engineering Vocational College | Shandong Province | Public Higher Vocational | | 15 | Naval Aviation University of the People's Liberation Army | Navy of the People's Liberation Army | Higher Military Institution |

8.2. Middle Schools

• Yantai No.1 Middle School
• Yantai No.2 Middle School
• Yantai No.3 Middle School
• Yantai No.4 Middle School
• Yantai No.5 Middle School
• Yantai No.6 Middle School
• Yantai No.7 Middle School
• Yantai No.9 Middle School
• Yantai No.10 Middle School
• Yantai No.11 Middle School
• Yantai No.12 Middle School
• Yantai No.13 Middle School
• Yantai No.14 Middle School
• Yantai No.15 Middle School
• Yantai No.16 Middle School
• Yantai Qinghua Middle School (formerly South Campus of Yantai No.2 Middle School)
• Yantai Foreign Language Experimental School
• Affiliated Middle School of Yantai University
• Shandong Province Muping No.1 Middle School
• Yantai Fushan No.1 Middle School
• Yantai Hermann Gmeiner School, China

9. Population

The permanent resident population at the end of 2022 was 7.0587 million. The urbanization rate of the permanent resident population was 68.23%, an increase of 0.42 percentage points from the end of the previous year.

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, the city's permanent resident population was 7,102,116. Compared with the 6,968,202 people from the Sixth National Population Census, there was an increase of 133,914 people over the ten years, a growth of 1.92%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.19%. Among them, the male population was 3,596,295, accounting for 50.64% of the total population; the female population was 3,505,821, accounting for 49.36% of the total population. The overall sex ratio (with females as 100) was 102.58. The population aged 0-14 was 859,498, accounting for 12.1% of the total population; the population aged 15-59 was 4,419,131, accounting for 62.22% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 1,823,487, accounting for 25.68% of the total population, of which the population aged 65 and above was 1,287,136, accounting for 18.12% of the total population. The urban population was 4,780,207, accounting for 67.31% of the total population; the rural population was 2,321,909, accounting for 32.69% of the total population.

According to the Sixth National Population Census in 2010, the city's permanent resident population was 6.9682 million. Compared with the Fifth National Population Census, there was an increase of 332,500 people over the ten years, a growth of 5.01%, with an average annual growth of 0.49%. Among them, the male population was 3.5225 million, accounting for 50.55%; the female population was 3.4457 million, accounting for 49.45%. The sex ratio of the permanent resident population (with females as 100) was 102.23. The population aged 0-14 was 764,700, accounting for 10.97%; the population aged 15-64 was 5.4053 million, accounting for 77.57%; the population aged 65 and above was 798,200, accounting for 11.46%.

9.1. Ethnic Groups

Among the city's permanent resident population, the Han ethnic group population was 7,057,589, accounting for 99.37%; the population of various ethnic minorities was 44,527, accounting for 0.63%. Compared with the Sixth National Population Census in 2010, the Han ethnic group population increased by 112,853, a growth of 1.63%, with its proportion of the total population decreasing by 0.29 percentage points; the population of various ethnic minorities increased by 21,061, a growth of 89.75%, with its proportion of the total population increasing by 0.29 percentage points.

Yantai City has 48 identifiable ethnic groups, including 47 ethnic minorities besides the Han ethnic group, with a permanent resident population of approximately 12,736 people. Among them, there are 3,164 Koreans, 3,113 Manchus, 1,282 Wa, 1,009 Mongols, 889 Hui, 414 Miao, 358 Tujia, 352 Bouyei, 352 Zhuang, 266 Lahu, 210 Bai, 193 Yi, 168 Dai, 163 Hani, 133 Tibetans, 106 Lisu, 103 She, and the other 30 ethnic minority populations each have fewer than 100 people.

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10. Culture

• Fushan is one of the birthplaces of Chinese Lu cuisine.
• Haiyang and Laiyang in Yantai are the birthplace of Praying Mantis Boxing.
• Changyu Pioneer Wine Company is China's first wine company, founded in 1892 by overseas Chinese Zhang Bishi.
  • In 1915, the "Koya Brandy" (later renamed Gold Medal Brandy) produced by Changyu Pioneer Wine Company won a gold medal at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition.
  • In October 1987, at the annual meeting of the International Organization of Vine and Wine held in Rome, Yantai was officially designated as an "International Wine City." Subsequently, Yantai became one of over a hundred renowned wine cities worldwide.
• The birthplace of the legend "The Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea."
• According to legend, Xu Fu embarked from here on his journey east to Japan.
• The birthplace of modern postal services in China. In 1868, the Yantai Customs established a postal office, which also handled the delivery of documents for foreign envoys, marking the beginning of modern postal services. In 1879, the Qing government decided to trial postal services in Beijing, Tianjin, Yantai, Niuzhuang (Yingkou), and Shanghai, heralding the advent of modern postal services in China.
• Chefoo Schools are a group of famous missionary boarding schools for children, established by the China Inland Mission in Yantai, Shandong.
• Henry Luce, the founder of Time magazine, was born in Yantai.

10.1. Media

• Yantai Daily
• Yantai Evening News
• Huaxia Wine News
• Yantai Radio and Television Weekly

11. Sister Cities

By the end of 2015, Yantai had established exchange and cooperation in economic, cultural, scientific, and technological fields with over 100 countries and regions worldwide, and had formed sister (cooperation) city relationships with 24 cities across 14 countries and regions. Currently, Yantai is building a platform for exchange and cooperation with countries along the Belt and Road. Adhering to the principle of "sister cities following projects," the focus is on establishing new sister cities in western route countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Leveraging the characteristics of sister cities as "stable channels" and "flexible interactions," the aim is to solidify and strengthen both sister city relations and people-to-people ties.

• United States, San Diego (1985.07.25)
• Japan, Beppu City (1985.07.26)
• New Zealand, Tauranga (1986.09.18)
• Japan, Miyako City (1993.10.26)
• Russia, Vladivostok (1994.07.29)
• South Korea, Gunsan City (1994.11.04)
• Thailand, Phuket Province (1997.11.03)
• United Kingdom, Angus (1999.01.27)
• South Korea, Wonju City (2000.10.24)
• South Korea, Ulsan City (2001.11.08)
• Sweden, Örebro (2002.10.21)
• Bulgaria, Burgas (2004.10.07)
• France, Quimper (2005.05.15)
• France, Angers (2006.11.28)
• South Korea, Incheon City (2007.03.28)
• Hungary, Szombathely (2007.10.08)
• South Korea, Ansan City (2009.07.22)
• United States, Omaha (2010.05.31)
• Australia, Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday Region (2012.11.15)
• Spain, Alcalá de Henares (2013.06.14)
• Pakistan, Lahore (2015.09.11)
• Hungary, Miskolc (2015.09.18)
• Australia, Charles Sturt (2016.09.08)
• Russia, Rostov-on-Don (2017.06.22)
• Malaysia, Padawan Municipality (2017.10.18)
• Norway, Stavanger (2018.09.22)
• South Korea, Buyeo County (2019.10.16)
• Jamaica, Kingston (2019.11.08)
• South Korea, Pyeongtaek City (2020.12.17)
• Greece, Chios (2021.05.19)
• Serbia, Zrenjanin (2021.12.06)

Additionally, various counties, cities, and districts under Yantai's jurisdiction have also established sister city or friendly cooperation city relationships with many international cities.

• Zhifu District with Dong District, Busan Metropolitan City, South Korea (1996)
• Laizhou City with North Jeju County, South Korea (1995)
• Haiyang City with Gangseo District, Busan Metropolitan City, South Korea (1996)
• Zhaoyuan City with Gangseo District, Seoul, South Korea (1998)
• Zhifu District with Jung District, Ulsan Metropolitan City, South Korea (2006)
• Penglai City with Saumur, France (2007)
• Penglai City with Sonoma, United States (2010)
• Penglai City with Leiria, Portugal (2014)

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Named after Yantai Mountain

Laishan District

Fushan District

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Apple tree

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