Getting around Weihai: the basics
Weihai is a prefecture-level city and major seaport on the easternmost edge of Shandong province, bordered by Yantai to the west and the Yellow Sea to the east. It sits on a peninsula surrounded by sea on three sides, with its port sheltered by Liugong Island. For a visitor, that geography shapes everything about transport: the city spreads along the coast, the main sights cluster near the water, and there is no metro or tram system to fall back on. Buses, taxis, ride-hailing and your own two feet do the work.
One useful thing to know before you plan anything: Weihai has more than one railway station, and they are not in the same place. Check your ticket carefully to see which station you actually need.
Is there a metro or tram?
No. Weihai has no metro and no tram network. The bus system is the backbone of public transport in the city, and it is what you will rely on for anything beyond walking distance.
Buses and public transport
City buses cover most of the urban area, the surrounding districts and many of the major attractions, so you can reach the sights without a car. Fares are cheap — typically around ¥1 to ¥1.5 for a standard ride, with some sources quoting up to ¥3 — and payment is by cash, a Weihai Transit Card, or smartphone apps such as WeChat Pay and Alipay. If you pay cash, exact change is advised.
Buses generally run from roughly 5:30 in the morning until about 9:30 at night, with frequency varying by route. Expect crowded conditions during the morning and evening rush hours.
- Useful routes for sightseeing: Nos. 4, 7 and 12 are commonly recommended for reaching attractions.
- Major hubs and transfer points: Weihai Railway Station, Weihai Bus Station, and the city-centre stops where several routes converge.
- Finding your way: Route maps are posted at bus stops, and Baidu Maps offers real-time bus tracking and route planning in English and Chinese. This is the single most useful tool for navigating the bus network.
The sightseeing bus
There is a seasonal tourist bus — the "Happy Coast" (幸福海岸) route — that links the main coastal sights, including Weihai Tourist Wharf, Grape Beach Bathing Beach, Golden Beach Bathing Beach and Weihai International Bathing Beach. It runs from 1 May to 30 October each year, departing from the tourist dock in the morning and from the International Bathing Beach in the late morning to mid-afternoon, roughly every half hour. A one-way ticket costs ¥10 and is valid for a single ride from the departure station to the terminal; children under 1.2 metres ride free with an adult. There is no discount for other passengers. A round trip is available for ¥20.
Note that this is a point-to-point sightseeing service rather than a hop-on, hop-off bus, so plan your stops accordingly. There is no prominent hop-on, hop-off tour bus in the city, and no cable cars or funiculars.
Taxis and ride-hailing
Taxis are widely available and can be hailed on the street or picked up at designated stands. Licensed cars are typically green or blue-yellow, with a roof light and a visible meter. Fares start at around ¥7 to ¥9, with a higher night rate applying from 22:00 to 05:00. Payment is by cash or mobile apps such as WeChat Pay and Alipay.
Didi Chuxing is the dominant ride-hailing app, offering services including Didi Express, Didi Premier and ordinary taxi-hailing. Be aware that Didi generally requires a Chinese phone number and a mobile payment setup; hotel staff can often help you book if you do not have these. As a safety habit, verify the driver and vehicle details against the app before getting in, make sure the taxi meter is running, and avoid flat fares or unofficial solicitors.
Ride-hailing is particularly convenient at rush hour, when buses are crowded and street taxis harder to find.
Walking and cycling
Weihai is a rewarding city on foot, especially along the coast. The coastal promenade areas — Weihai Park and the International Bathing Beach among them — have wide, well-maintained trails, and city planning in tourist areas often separates pedestrian and vehicle traffic. Outside those areas, take the usual caution in general traffic and avoid high-speed roads and major highways.
Cycling is a genuine option. Early summer is considered the best season for it, the roads are relatively flat, and dedicated coastal cycling paths exist, for example around Weihai Park. Shared bikes are popular and easy to find through the relevant app, at roughly ¥2 an hour, and some hotels rent bicycles. You can also ride an electric bike along the beach to take in the view.
If you are considering driving yourself, note that self-driving requires a Chinese driver's licence — foreign licences and International Driving Permits are not valid — and the same applies to renting motorcycles or scooters. Parking is difficult in crowded city centres, so self-driving is generally not advised for short-term visitors. Hiring a car with a local driver is the usual alternative.
Ferries and boats
The main water transport for tourists is the ferry to Liugong Island, which departs regularly from Weihai Tourist Wharf on Haibin North Road in Huancui District. The crossing takes about 20 minutes, a round-trip ticket costs around ¥50, and the crossing is also included in the Liugong Island combined ticket. Advance booking is advised. Scenic coastal pleasure-boat excursions may also be available — ask locally.
Getting from the airport into the city
Weihai Dashuibo International Airport sits in Dashuibo Town, Wendeng District, and is the only operating airport serving Weihai. It is a fair distance from the centre, so plan your transfer rather than assuming you can simply walk out and find something.
The cheapest practical option is the airport shuttle bus, which takes roughly 90 minutes to downtown and costs about ¥20. Two routes are available: the No. 1 Airport Bus is the most direct, and the Airport Bus Western Route charges the same fare. On the inbound run, the shuttle stops at a series of points including Jiangjiazhai Village, the Railway Station, Changfeng, the Civil Aviation Administration, Weihaiwei Building, Wujiaohua, the News Building and Liqun Business Building. Buses from the city out to the airport depart about three hours before flight departure, so confirm your pickup time when you book.
A taxi from the airport costs considerably more — expect roughly ¥90 to ¥130 to the city centre, with lower fares to Wendeng and Rongcheng. The newer toll highway shortens the journey but adds slightly to the fare.
Two alternative routings are worth knowing about. First, nearby Yantai has an airport, but a taxi from there into Weihai can take about an hour and may cost roughly double, sometimes involving a change of taxi partway. Second, there are short international flights from Incheon in South Korea to Weihai, served by Asiana and Korean Air with a China Eastern codeshare; the hop takes about an hour and has the amenities of an international flight. Incheon is a smooth airport to transit, and if you are arriving from the US, overnight flights from Los Angeles, Chicago and New York can line up neatly with the onward morning departure. Remember that Korea is one hour ahead of China when you plan connections.
Arriving by train, bus or boat
Weihai is served by several railway stations, including Weihai Railway Station and Weihai North Railway Station in Huancui District, plus stations at Wendengdong, Wendeng, Rushan and Rongcheng. Weihai Railway Station is the main one, handling both conventional and high-speed services, while Weihai North is a high-speed station on the Qingdao–Rongcheng Intercity Railway and doubles as an integrated terminal combining rail, long-distance bus, city bus and taxi. The stations are some distance apart, so check your ticket for the correct one before you set off.
Long-distance buses arrive at Weihai Bus Station on Qingdao Middle Road, with additional stations at Wendeng, Rongcheng and Rushan. Services connect Weihai with destinations across Shandong and further afield, including Yantai, Qingdao, Beijing, Tianjin and Shanghai. Buses are the cheapest way in but can involve long journeys depending on where you start.
By sea, Weihai Passenger Station on Haibu Road in the Economic Development Zone handles ferry arrivals, with services from various places in China and from Incheon in Korea — though these may run once a day or less. The main ports are Weihai Port for domestic services, and Longyan Port and Shidao Port in Rongcheng for international routes to South Korea.
Practical tips
- Set up WeChat Pay or Alipay if you can — it covers buses, taxis and ride-hailing, and saves you hunting for change.
- Carry small cash denominations as a backup for bus fares and anywhere mobile payment is not accepted.
- Have your destination written in Chinese to show taxi drivers.
- Use Baidu Maps for real-time bus tracking and navigation.
- Accessibility is limited: older buses may not be wheelchair-accessible, many older buildings and some attractions lack ramps, and accessible restrooms are not universal. Research your accommodation and attractions in advance, and consider a private vehicle or guide.