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Yantai literally means "smoky mound". In the Ming Dynasty, locals used wolf
dung to light fires (Langyan) to warn the whole village of approaching Japanese
Pirates (Wokou). The city was nothing but a small fishing village until the late
19th century when it became a treaty port for the British, handed over by the falling Qing
Dynasty, which had been defeated in the Opium War. Then with the Germans" power over the
whole Shandong peninsula in early 20th century, Yantai was also controlled by Germans for
about 20 years. After the Americans won World War I, they turned Yantai into a summer
station for their entire Asian fleet. Then the Japanese set up a trading establishment in
the town. You may be able to get an idea of the different influences at the western style Yantai Museum, which used to be a guild
hall. However, the colourful history has not left a distinctive architectural mark, there
has never been a foreign concession, and though you will see an occasional
nineteenth-century grand European building, most of the town is of much more recent
origin. After liberation, the town"s name was changed from the original, Chefoo, to Yantai
and was opened to the world as an ice-free trade port in 1984. Many foreigners come to Yantai on the ships that call in at the big port in the north
of town. There are many Russian sailors, who stop off at the International Seamen"s Club
opposite the train station. The tourist industry is based around the beaches and some say
Yantai is best described as Qingdao"s poor relation. Wandering the seafront is the most
pleasant way to spend any time here. The city has two beaches, but they"re often littered,
windy and are hemmed in by not very attractive buildings. Number 2 beach, the furthest, is
the best, though the water is not very clean. Yantai is the birthplace of the famous Shandong cuisine and also boasts a richness in
marine products. Peanuts and various fruits are the major agricultural exports while wines
and clocks are most well-known throughout the country. |
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