I stayed overnight in Yantai enroute to Weihei and the ship to Inchon, Koea (now $120). The city was deterorated, then, (1994) and more ackward than Beijing. It average for the area. It should be a unique experience.

i live in China 15 years in Beijing, but was the first American to cross into Ala Shen Ko near Kazakhstan.

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The best way to Yantai is the ship from Inchon, Korea to Weihei/Yantai.The cost is no larger than $125. Otherwise it is two nights by very slow train from Beijing.

I have travel agents e-address for bookings. Chinese vise is about $35 in Seoul.

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I lived in Qingdao (not far from Yantai) for five years, from 1993-1998, and often visited Yantai.

Yantai today is a rapidly-developing city. It is definitely one of the cleaner cities. But rating it depends on what your priorities are.

If you want a "western-style" lifestyle, with western food (restaurants and/or supermarkets), Yantai will be difficult. A few hotels offer a limited western menu (and of course they have McDonald's and KFC), but that's about it.

If you want an active nightlife, forget it; not much at all in that way.

On the other hand, the pace of life is relatively relaxed, and the locals tend to be quite warm and friendly, especially if you make the effort to get to know them, and can learn some of their language. Yantai is also quite a safe place.

You are only about 2 hours from Qingdao, which is much more developed; and it is a one-hour flight to Beijing or Shanghai, so you're not all THAT isolated.

Last I heard, there were around 200 western expats living in Yantai; not a huge foreign community, but enough to have common friends. I have an Italian friend operating a factory in Yantai, and he loves it there.

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I lived in Yantai about 150 days in the last year 2003/2004. It is quite nice but a bit remote.

The expat community is small but closely knit. The previously quoted number of 200 expats is probably quite accurate. Half of that number are English teachers working at the schools.

There isn't a decent hotel in the city there but there is a good service apartment and the lady that manages it is more helpful than any relocation service. See http://etonhouse.net or call and ask for Helen.

There are some beautiful houses available to rent in Laishan which is the new area of the city near the university. Biig houses of 300 to 400 sq metres with lots of marble can be had. The normal satellite TV service is usually only about 4 to 6 English channels - CNN, BBC, ESPN, Star, etc. Up to 40+ channels available.

The expat hangouts are (1) Cape of Storms Bar which is near the waterfront downtown (535) 606-0060 and is owned by a Swede named Olf Wessman, (2) Jackie's Cafe which you can see at http://www.jackies.com.cn, and (3) Fatz Retaurant & Bar (535) 665-9731 which is owned by Chris who is Australian - great pizza and steak!

The best part about living in Yantai is the golf. There are a lot of good courses within 1 to 1.5 hours drive. Donghai has 72 holes open and 36 more under construction, Nanshan has 27, Yantai (Muping) has 18 open and 9 under construction, Weihai has 18, Tiger Beach has 18, and Yun Shan which has 18. A bit further away near Qingdao is d'haushan which has 36 and Qingdao Intl which has 18. Some of the courses like Donghai are in really great condition and a real pleasure to play at.

David

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