Yantai, Shandong Province

Yangma Island

养马岛Photography · Nature

Not only is the scenery beautiful and enchanting, but the island is also rich in lovely legends, and many famous figures of past dynasties have left their footprints here.…

Yangma Island, Yantai

Key facts

Admission
Free; racecourse ¥20, horse riding ¥80
Time needed
3–4 hours
Getting there
You can first take a bus from Yantai Bus Station to Mouping, then transfer to a minibus to the resort area.
Guidebook rating
4 / 5

From China Self Guided Travel 2025, page 1379. Open in Google Maps

About Yangma Island

Not only is the scenery beautiful and enchanting, but the island is also rich in lovely legends, and many famous figures of past dynasties have left their footprints here. Its hills roll gently and are covered in lush trees and plants. Mountains, light and sea combine to create a pleasant climate. The island has hotels and recuperation centres, as well as distinctive attractions including Tianma Square, a racecourse, seaside beaches and Haishang Shijie (Ocean World), so visitors can choose freely.

Frequently asked questions

How much does Yangma Island cost?

Admission to Yangma Island is Free; racecourse ¥20, horse riding ¥80, as listed in the 2025 guidebook. Prices can change; check the official channel before you go.

How do I get to Yangma Island?

You can first take a bus from Yantai Bus Station to Mouping, then transfer to a minibus to the resort area.

How long should I spend at Yangma Island?

Plan on 3–4 hours for Yangma Island.

Where is Yangma Island?

Yangma Island is in Yantai, Shandong Province, in the East China of China.

More places in Yantai

Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea Scenic Area — illustration

Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea Scenic Area

Located on the Yellow Sea coast north of Penglai, the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea Scenic Area faces Danya Mountain, Penglai Pavilion and the Changshan Islands across the water. It is a distinctive scenic spot on the Jiaodong Peninsula. Set against Daoist culture and Penglai mythology, with the legend of the Eight Immortals as its theme, it combines classical architecture with artistic gardens. The surrounding sea is wide and the views are spectacular. The scenic area has nearly 40 main attractions, including the Stone Forest, a bird and animal hall and Seal Island, and it is well suited to children.

¥80 · 2–3 hours

Sanxian Mountain — illustration

Sanxian Mountain

Sanxian Mountain is next to the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea Scenic Area and within sight of Penglai Pavilion. According to legend, the three mythical mountains of Penglai, Fangzhang and Yingzhou were where the First Emperor of Qin and Emperor Wu of Han sought the elixir of immortality, so people come here in great numbers to worship the immortals and pray for blessings. The scenic area includes Penglai Immortal Island, Fanghu Realm, Yingzhou Immortal Land, the Three Harmonies Great Hall, the Jade Buddha Temple and the Eleven-Faced Guanyin Pavilion. Among its treasures are the world's largest whole-jade reclining Buddha, weighing 108 tonnes; a whole-jade standing Guanyin weighing 72 tonnes; and an eleven-faced Guanyin weighing 260 tonnes. These are rare treasures indeed.

¥120 · 2–3 hours

Penglai Pavilion — illustration

Penglai Pavilion

Yantai is famed throughout the land thanks to Penglai, which has long been known as a earthly paradise. The well-known legend of the “Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea” originates here. Seen from below, Penglai Pavilion is merely a small pavilion on a low hill, unremarkable and without any sense of the mystical. But once you stand inside the pavilion and look down, the little hill becomes a towering cliff, and you feel as though you might drift away on the wind. Not far from the original site where Qi Jiguang trained his anti-Japanese pirate-fighting navy stands the Penglai Water Fortress. Looking into the distance, you can see a hazy cluster of islands, which is the Changdao archipelago.

Penglai Pavilion ¥100; cable car round-trip across the sea ¥50 · 4–5 hours

Changdao Island

Changdao Island

Blue skies, clear waters, sunshine, beaches and pure air: Changdao has everything you need for a holiday. Part of Penglai District, the islands consist of the Southern Five (Beichang Island, Nanchang Island, Miao Island, Dahei Island, Xiaohei Island) and the Northern Five (Tuoji Island, Daqin Island, Xiaoqin Island, Nanhuangcheng Island, Beihuangcheng Island), 32 islands in total.

North line ¥80; South line ¥80; full route ¥135 · 1–2 days

Zhifu Island

Also called Zhifu Mountain, the island is surrounded by sea on three sides and connected to the mainland by a single road to the south. It is China’s largest and the world’s most typical land-tied island (tombolo). Its front is lush and picturesque, while its back is a jumble of craggy rocks and steep cliffs. It was already famous in the Spring and Autumn period. Duke Jing of Qi once visited to enjoy the scenery, and the emperors Qin Shi Huang and Han Wudi both climbed Zhifu.

2–3 hours

Kunyu Mountain National Forest Park

The Shenqing Taoist Temple inside Yanxia Cave on Kunyu Mountain is the ancestral temple of the Quanzhen School and houses dozens of stone statues. Ancient trees and the ancestral temple of the Quanzhen School give Kunyu Mountain on the Jiaodong Peninsula its special appeal.

Shimenli ¥40; Jiulongchi Scenic Area ¥40; Wuran Temple Scenic Area ¥50; Yanxia and Yuegudian scenic areas free · 1–1.5 days