In the wider region around Rizhao, coastal areas meet natural and cultural attractions. To help plan your trip, choose a focus: should your stay be shaped primarily by beaches and coastal forest, the Sunshine Coast Greenway, marine exhibits, or Dongyi culture? The places described offer a range of themes. If you’re looking for hotels in Rizhao, you can first sort through these interests and then decide what kind of trip you want.
Coastal Landscapes and Forest
As a coastal resort, Wanpingkou Scenic Area combines sightseeing, relaxation and sports activities. Its land area exceeds 740,000 square meters, with more than 300,000 square meters of beach area. More than 90 percent of its land area is forested, and its coastline is over 4,400 meters long. Forest and beach are therefore equally important parts of its landscape. The area is also known for its clear, mild waters, wide beach of fine sand, pleasant surroundings and abundant sunshine.
Rizhao Coastal National Forest Park lies on Rizhao’s northern coast and stretches along seven kilometers of coastline. It was established in 1992 on the site of the Dasha Wa forest area, as one of China’s first national forest parks. The stated coastline lengths can be compared directly: seven kilometers at the forest park versus more than 4,400 meters at Wanpingkou. Wanpingkou is additionally characterized by figures for its forested land area and beach area.
The Sunshine Coast Greenway
The approximately 28-kilometer-long Sunshine Coast Greenway runs from Dongfang Lighthouse Square to Liangcheng River Estuary National Wetland Park and is designed for cycling and walking. The route description published in 2024 states that it is accessible throughout its entire length to wheelchairs and strollers. If continuous accessibility is important for your plans, check the current conditions in advance. Taigong Island Park is a stop along the Greenway.
Marine Worlds and Garden Areas
Rizhao Ocean Park is opposite Gate 4 of Wanpingkou Scenic Area. Its attractions include an oceanarium, a flower and bird garden, outdoor animal show areas, a waterfowl garden, a non-motorized recreation area and a shopping street. The Sunshine Oceanarium’s exhibits include more than 1,000 species of marine animals. The exhibits range from sharks, sea lions and seals to schooling fish such as sardines and whale sharks, as well as a coral tunnel, penguins and jellyfish. Shows featuring belugas and dolphins are also part of the described offering.
Four Seasons Flower-and-Bird Garden features more than 30 rare bird species, dozens of rare fish species and over 1,000 species of flowering plants. It also has indoor animal interaction and zoology areas, AR experiences, a tropical rainforest area and a water lily pond. Comparing the two gardens, the Oceanarium focuses on marine animals, while the Flower-and-Bird Garden combines birds, fish and plants with additional themed areas. Check the access arrangements at each venue before planning a specific visit.
Dongyi Culture and Architecture
Dongyi Town consists of four islands: Fisher Culture Island, Folk Culture Experience Island, Foreign Culture Island and the island for leisure, entertainment and sightseeing. Four themed exhibitions on Dongyi, fishing, ceramics and wine culture are the focus of Folk Culture Experience Island. Its traditional cultural buildings include Longshen Temple, Yue Lao Shrine, an academy, a wishing pavilion and a theater. The exhibition themes and buildings bring together cultural content and different forms of traditional architecture.
At Wanpingkou Square, Tidal Tower stands about 300 meters south of Gate 1. The tower is 42 meters high and has a transparent structure and an outdoor viewing platform with a lotus-shaped metal lattice. Rizhao Antai Ocean Aesthetics Museum is a building with alternating wood-colored and white elements.
Rizhao World Sailing Championship Base also adds sports history to the region’s cultural and architectural profile. It was built for the 2005 World Championships in the Europe class and the 2006 World Championships in the International 470 class. On the west bank are a sailing club, a water control center and a boathouse with a measurement room. The region’s themes therefore range from coastal landscapes and marine exhibits to traditional culture, architecture and sailing history.
Discover more destinations: Jining, Zaozhuang, Qingdao, Jinan, Linyi, Dezhou, Tai’an, Binzhou.
For the overview of the wider region: Shandong.
