This City in China's Top Seafood Province Offers Ultimate Oyster Freedom to All
Oysters, these shellfish that embody the essence of the ocean, are regarded as the "pride of the sea" in people's eyes!
Who wouldn't love the tender and juicy Rushan oysters?
And the Rushan oysters, hailing from the "Hometown of Chinese Oysters" with national geographical indication certification, are the pride among prides.
Weihai, a major seafood city, is the hometown of Rushan oysters. Recently, the recurring pandemic in Weihai has affected the transportation of some Rushan oysters, leaving many high-end restaurants short of top-quality oysters and struggling to source even a single one.
Every fishing season, tens of thousands of ships in Weihai set sail for the ocean.
For over 20 consecutive years, Shandong has ranked first in China in major statistical indicators such as aquatic product output and output value, with Weihai consistently holding the top position in fisheries output value within the province.
Within Shandong Province, Weihai has long held the top spot in fisheries output value.
At the eastern end of the Shandong Peninsula, Weihai, a city surrounded by the sea on three sides, is the best testament to Shandong's maritime nature.
In the chilly spring, it's the perfect time to enjoy oysters. Every year at this time, people eagerly await the plump oysters, hoping to be the first to taste the freshness at the start of the year.
When it comes to top-quality oysters, perfection is key—even vernier calipers are used to ensure precision.
There are countless oyster origins, but in the eyes of Weihai locals, there are only two types of oysters in the world: Rushan oysters and all others.
Along Rushan's approximately 186-kilometer coastline, stretching from Rushankou in the west to Langnuan Kou in the east, there are 500,000 mu of aquaculture areas with national Class I seawater quality standards, featuring excellent waters and abundant nutrients.
Fishing boats are ready to set sail in Heqing Bay, hoping to return fully loaded.
This sea area boasts clean water, smooth currents, and relatively calm waves. The Rushan River and Huangliu River along the coast bring rich nutrients, making it an ideal "pasture" for oyster farming. Rushan oysters are known as "milk of the sea" due to their excellent quality and rich nutrition.
This unique geographical environment has made Rushan the "Hometown of Chinese Oysters," with its oysters certified as a national geographical indication product.
Mature oysters are being harvested and redistributed into cages for further cultivation.
In addition to oysters, sea cucumbers, scallops, abalones, conches, and mackerel are all famous specialties of Weihai.
Why is Weihai able to nurture so many high-quality seafood products?
Fishing boats in Weihai return fully loaded and unload their catch at the docks.
Weihai boasts Shandong's only 270-degree "sea view room": surrounded by the sea on the south, east, and north sides, it is the heart of Shandong Province extending into the ocean.
The winding and lengthy coastline has endowed Weihai with excellent harbors, magnificent sea views, and abundant resources.
In Weihai, low mountains and hills account for nearly 70% of the city's area, while plains make up less than 30%. The terrain is higher in the central region, with mountains running east-west. The river systems are generally short, flowing north and south along the mountain ridges into the Yellow Sea.
Weihai is located at the easternmost tip of Shandong Province, extending into the sea.
Taibo Ding is also written as Taibo Ding.
The convergence of mountains and sea has shaped the unique "immortal realm"气质 of the Shandong Peninsula and the mysterious side of Weihai.
The great poet Li Bai visited Laoshan Mountain in Qingdao and wrote the famous line: "In the past, I traveled on the East Sea, dining on purple clouds at Laoshan." Yantai's Penglai became the legendary海上仙境 where the Eight Immortals crossed the sea, each displaying their divine powers. Meanwhile, Weihai, known as the "End of the Sky" since Emperor Qin Shi Huang's winter inspection, became a secret realm for历代帝王 seeking immortality and elixirs, as well as a natural monument symbolizing the unification of the empire.
Shrouded in mist and clouds, Weihai possesses an air of "mystical immortality."
The convergence of mountains and sea has also created the most蜿蜒曲折 coastline in northern China. Weihai boasts a 986-kilometer coastline, equivalent to one-third of Shandong's coastline and one-eighteenth of China's mainland coastline.
Chengshantou, situated at the easternmost tip of the peninsula, is known as "One of China's Eight Most Beautiful Coasts" and has been regarded as the dwelling place of the sun god since the Qin and Han dynasties.
The Weihai Mountain-Sea Highway is a stunning scenic route.
The Swan Lake in Chengshan Wei was originally a natural lagoon. It has become an ideal habitat for many migratory birds due to its rare freezing and abundant plankton.
Every winter, tens of thousands of swans, wild geese, and ducks come here to overwinter, making it one of the largest swan wintering habitats in northern China.
Swans are a touch of tenderness in Weihai's winter.
The sea is the most important geographical label of Weihai. Compared to the traditional, conservative, and Confucian first impression most people have of Shandong, the ever-present ocean constitutes the most open and豪气 aspect of Weihai's character.
Where does Weihai's most豪气 confidence come from?
Nestled between mountains and sea, thriving by the ocean—most of Weihai's "boldness" is gifted by the sea!
Where does Weihai's "威" (awe-inspiring) come from?
Weihai is located at the easternmost tip of the Shandong Peninsula, at the narrowest point of the Yellow Sea. It is also a crucial coastal defense stronghold guarding the Bohai Sea and protecting the capital region.
Dongchudao Island in Rongcheng, Weihai, has been awarded the title of "Chinese Historical and Cultural Village."
In the 31st year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1398), to prevent Japanese pirate invasions, Weihai卫 (garrison) was established, meaning "Awe-Inspiring Sea Frontiers." This is the origin of the name "Weihai."
Commanding awe across the seas, it also illustrates the intricate connection between Weihai and the ocean.
Emperor Kangxi once accompanied his ministers to observe the sea and listen to the waves in Weihai, witnessing a chapter of history.
Qin Shi Huang twice inspected Chengshan, where he erected stones to commemorate his achievements and demarcate the national border. On the southern peak of Chengshan's three mountains, a half-broken stone tablet remains, inscribed by Prime Minister Li Si under the emperor's orders. It is regarded as the only surviving boundary stele of the Qin Empire.
Weihai is also the nearest port city to South Korea and has historically served as a frontline for cultural exchange between China, Japan, and Korea. During the Tang Dynasty, the Silla general Jang Bogo established the Chishan Fahua Temple in the Rongcheng area, one of Weihai's earliest Buddhist temples. It was also known as "one temple connecting three nations" due to the residence of Japanese monks.
Most of the current buildings were constructed in modern times, symbolizing the friendship among the peoples of China, Japan, and South Korea.
Weihai's most famous coastal fortress is Liugong Island, located offshore. Though it covers only 3.15 square kilometers, it guards the entrance to the Bohai Sea alongside Lushun at the tip of the Liaodong Peninsula.
The Beiyang Fleet, established in the late Qing Dynasty, used Liugong Island as its headquarters and Lushun as a key base. It was the largest and most advanced modern navy of the Qing Dynasty, hailed as the "Number One Fleet in Asia" at the time. Liugong Island thus became the birthplace of China's modern navy.
Liugong Island Sino-Japanese War Museum,
Selected for the second batch of China's 20th-Century Architectural Heritage List.
Small and young, Weihai was only upgraded from a county-level city under Yantai's administration to a prefecture-level city in 1987, making it one of the youngest prefecture-level administrative regions in Shandong.
Despite lacking sufficient plains and hinterland, it has rapidly developed into one of the "Qing-Yan-Wei" Jiaodong trio, with various economic indicators ranking among the top in Shandong.
Weihai's GDP per capita ranks fifth in Shandong Province.
Weihai is small yet refined, daring to explore and act!
Compared to Qingdao and Jinan, Weihai is just a "small figure."
The Happiness Gate is hailed as the "Gate of Weihai," becoming a symbol of the city.
In terms of area, it covers only about 5,797 square kilometers, roughly half the size of Jinan or Qingdao. Its population is only 2.86 million, exceeding only Donggang within the province.
Weihai is small, ranking low in both area and population within Shandong Province.
With limited area and population, Weihai finds it difficult to replicate the large-scale construction of Jinan and Qingdao, thus turning to a "refined" urban development path.
The city has even passed a standard named "Weihai City Refined Urban Construction Regulations." Whether it's pathways, parks, plazas, campuses, residential areas, study rooms, or even public toilets随处可见 throughout the city, there is a set of "refined" regulations.
Today, Weihai's most viral网红 location is Huoju Eighth Street.
Photo by Jade不换酒, Image from Tuchong Creative
Weihai is not only China's first National Sanitary City and the country's first pilot "Beautiful City" initiative, but also one of the happiest cities and a UN-recognized recipient of the Best Habitat Award.
Located at the "end" of Shandong, the refined city of Weihai stands out as a "very un-Shandong-like" Shandong city.
Mountains and sea give Weihai its unique urban landscape.
Photo by 健忘的行摄世界, Image from Tuchong Creative
Moreover, Weihai is a city of great foresight.
When it was upgraded from a county-level to a prefecture-level city, Weihai faced a notable shortage in higher education. It pioneered the model of off-campus university branches by first introducing Shandong University's Weihai campus.
Shandong University (Weihai) is nestled between mountains and sea, boasting an elegant environment.
Soon after, Harbin Institute of Technology sought to develop marine and ship-related disciplines, and Weihai’s seaside naturally became HIT’s new home.
Harbin Institute of Technology (Weihai)
is a key part of HIT’s "One University, Three Campuses" model.
Starting from scratch, Weihai became a pioneer in off-campus higher education, establishing itself as a rising hub of academia in education-rich Shandong within just a few decades.
Most universities in Weihai are located close to the sea.
As a city born from the ocean, Weihai not only embodies the bold spirit of the sea but also cultivates an increasingly rich cultural and literary atmosphere within its refined urban environment.
The best representative of "Fresh and Delicious" Shandong,
How extravagantly can you enjoy seafood in Weihai?
Situated at the tip of the Shandong Peninsula, Weihai’s cuisine is a blend of several traditions: the robust and hearty local Shandong dishes, as well as the fresh, crisp, and tender Jiaodong-style seafood.
Weihai’s seafood is delicious simply steamed.
Weihai’s proudest seafood is undoubtedly Rushan oysters, known locally as "hǎilìzi" (海蛎子).
In the Weihai dialect, "eating a meal" is called "dǎi fàn" (or "dǎi fàn").
The pronunciation of "dai" is a phonetic shift from the ancient Chinese word "啖" (dan),
which is not rustic at all but carries rich cultural connotations.
Due to the high quality of the seawater, sashimi is the highest praise for oysters. However, not everyone's stomach can handle it, so simple steaming has become the most common way to enjoy Rushan oysters.
Steaming is a great test of the quality of oysters.
The natural freshness of the oysters requires no additional seasoning. Clean the Rushan oysters thoroughly, place them in a steamer with the concave side up to preserve the delicious juices, and steam.
Once the water boils, steam for just 5 more minutes until the oysters open. Dip them in a bit of soy sauce or wasabi soy sauce, and enjoy these top-tier Weihai seafood delights one by one.
Rushan oysters are exceptionally delicious, whether dipped in sauce or not.
Beyond steaming, a pot of oyster tofu soup with some greens can make you feel revitalized.
There’s also the amazing fried oysters: mix a batter with flour or starch, five-spice powder, and egg wash, coat the oyster meat, and deep-fry. In households with many children, they’re eaten straight from the pan, never making it to the table. Garlic grilling and cheese grilling are also incredibly satisfying ways to enjoy Weihai oysters.
Cheese oysters combine aroma and freshness.
Warmly tossed clam meat (鸟贝) is perhaps one of the most frequently featured cold dishes in Weihai. Simply clean the clam innards, blanch briefly in boiling water, and enjoy its original freshness, with or without other vegetables.
The clam has well-developed foot muscles, allowing it to leap from the seabed for movement,
hence the name "bird clam," commonly known as "鸟贝."
Photo / Food Photography Diary, Image / Tuchong Creativity
For mackerel, mincing it into filling makes it the "tall, rich, and handsome" of Shandong dumplings—mackerel dumplings. When dried, mackerel can be stewed with radish in winter, making a dish so delicious that two bowls of rice are easily devoured.
Mackerel is an inseparable seafood sentiment for the people of Jiaodong.
Mengzi shrimp paste is absolutely worth the wait—a Weihai delicacy that can be eaten raw or cooked. Steamed egg with shrimp paste is the most common and delicious way to enjoy it. Pair it with a large steamed bun, and you have a seafood feast. Missing Mengzi shrimp paste is like missing the entire ocean.
Weihai people possess a creativity that blends land and sea: stir-fried sea intestine with leeks, braised pork trotters with kelp, stewed shrimp with radish shreds, and seafood疙瘩汤 (a type of soup) all bring together the best of land and sea in one pot.
Stir-fried leeks with sea intestine are so fresh they’ll make your eyebrows fall off—definitely give it a try.
Photo / Untimely Observations, Image / Tuchong Creativity
The most famous dish might be the Braised Sea Cucumber with Scallions, a renowned delicacy in Shandong cuisine and an outstanding contribution from Weihai. This famous dish is often served as the "head dish" (the first hot course) at banquets, hence the term "Sea Cucumber Banquet" is commonly used.
Of course, Weihai still retains distinct Shandong "genes."
How can Shandong people not have mantou or bobo (steamed buns)?
One of the representative works of Rihanna, jokingly called the "Shandong Diva," is "Where Have You Been" (homophonous with "Weihai Youbing" in Chinese). Various types of pancakes and noodles in Weihai are classic "Shandong flavors."
The locals' favorite dish, salted fish with pancakes, involves sticking corn pancakes to the side of the pot—a simple and rustic cooking method. This was once a way of cooking on fishing boats, similar to the Northeastern Chinese practice of stewing everything in an iron pot.
Salted fish with pancakes is a hometown flavor etched in memory.
Weihai is one of the smallest and youngest cities in Shandong. It is a crucial gateway controlling the Bohai Sea and a land bridge connecting East Asia.
Here, the era of modern China's maritime defense was written, and it is also the most refined and happiest "daughter of the sea" among the three Jiaodong cities.
Weihai's Chengshantou feels like the end of the world.
The resurgence of the pandemic has been fierce, and Weihai has pressed the pause button. But the resilient and optimistic people of Weihai, who love life, eagerly await the day they can "face the sea, with spring blossoms," and reunite with friends to enjoy seafood and beer. Beyond its "awe-inspiring maritime prowess," the vibrant and happy Weihai is worth looking forward to!
Text | LUKE, ZXZ