3-Day 2-Night In-Depth Tour of Rizhao: Where Mountains Embrace the Sea, a Paradise of Fresh Flavors

🌞 3-Day 2-Night In-Depth Tour of Rizhao: Where Mountains Embrace the Sea, a Paradise of Fresh Flavors 📅 Best Travel Time: May-October (Summer for beachcombing & escaping heat, Autumn for plump seafood) 🚉 Transportation Guide - Major Transport: Fly to Rizhao Shanzihe Airport (30 mins to downtown) or take high-speed rail to Rizhao West Station (taxi to coast ~¥30). - Local Transport: Coastal sightseeing buses connect major attractions. Renting e-bikes for coastal greenways offers more freedom (~¥30/hour). 📍 Must-Visit Attractions & Activities 1️⃣ Wanpingkou Scenic Area (Free) - Highlights: Rizhao's landmark "Ten-Mile Golden Beach", Gate 3 is an internet-famous photo spot (sky staircase, wedding park). - Activities: Sunrise viewing at dawn🌅, sailing/speedboats (~¥100/person), sunset drinks at beach bars. 2️⃣ Rizhao National Coastal Forest Park (Free) - Highlights: Where forest meets sea, with ultra-high negative oxygen ions! - Activities: Cycling through metasequoia groves🌲, feeding elk (¥20), sea views from Ferris wheel, stargazing while camping. 3️⃣ Liujiawan Tide-Chasing Park (¥45) - Pro Tip: Arrive 2 hours before low tide! Bring buckets + salt jars (razor clam catchers), dig clams, catch crabs🦀 for mudflat treasure hunting. - Bonus: Open 7:00-18:30 daily, tools available for rent. 4️⃣ Dongyi Ancient Town (Free) - Nightlife Hotspot: Lantern-lit alleys + seafood stalls. Must-try: Sea sand noodles🍜, mackerel dumplings, brown sugar pearl fresh milk. 5️⃣ Rizhao Ocean Park (¥199) - Family Favorite: Underwater tunnel + dreamy jellyfish exhibits, mermaid shows at 10:30/15:00 daily. 🍽️ Seafood Lover's Guide - 🦐 Steamed Seafood → Qiaokeli Fisherman: Live seafood steamed-to-order. Try seafood steamer pot + mackerel dumplings (Wanpingkou branch less crowded). → Must-visit: Third Bathing Beach branch with sea-view private rooms, abalone rice specialty. - 🌮 Street Food → Dongyi Ancient Town: Sea sand noodles (divinely rich broth!), pan-fried mackerel, oyster omelets. → Shijiu Market: Legendary seafood tofu soup, tender cuttlefish + tofu. 🛏️ Accommodation Picks - Luxury: Sheraton Rizhao (by Wanpingkou, infinity pool + sunrise views). - Boutique: Antai Ocean Aesthetics Museum (bookstore B&B facing sea, insta-worthy). - Fishing Village: Renjiatai Fisherman's Homestay (~¥80/person, all-inclusive, 5-min walk to tide-chasing). ⚡ Pro Tips 1. Tide-Chasing Safety: Wear anti-slip shoes near reefs, avoid undeveloped coastlines alone. 2. Seafood Pricing: Confirm market prices before ordering. Shijiu Market allows self-purchased seafood processing (~¥10-20/dish fee). 3. Ticket Deals: Search Ctrip's "Sunshine Coast Vibrant Rizhao" flagship store for 50% combo tickets + hotel packages. 💡 Hidden Gems - World Sailing Base Bioluminescence: Summer nights when waves glow blue✨ (Free!). - Egret Bay Town: Cherry blossom season (April)/autumn oil-painting vibes, art museum + cycling track. Final Poetic Touch: "In Rizhao, life is poetry salted by the sea—dawn's tangerine-hued ocean beneath the lighthouse🌅, noon's laughter rolling across sun-scorched sands, midnight clinking glasses to the symphony of waves."