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Things to Do in Rizhao (2026)
Rizhao's coastline is its crown jewel, with Wanpingkou Beach being the most popular stretch for swimming and sunbathing. For a quieter experience, head to the southern beachesβ¦ ποΈ Beach Highlights
Rizhao's coastline is its crown jewel, with Wanpingkou Beach being the most popular stretch for swimming and sunbathing. For a quieter experience, head to the southern beaches near Lanshan District, where the crowds thin out and the water stays clear. Most beaches are free to access, but expect paid parking and umbrella rentals during peak summer months.
π Water Sports Hub
The Rizhao Olympic Water Sports Base offers kayaking, sailing, and stand-up paddleboarding with rental gear available on-site. Beginners can take a 30-minute lesson for around 100 RMB, while experienced paddlers can explore the calm waters of the inlet. The base is located at 1 Bihai Road, open daily from 8 AM to 6 PM.
ποΈ Cultural Sites
Visit the Rizhao Museum on 88 Haiqu East Road to learn about the city's fishing heritage and the ancient Longshan culture. Admission is free with a valid ID, and the museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9 AM to 5 PM. Nearby, the Donggang District's old town has preserved Qing-era architecture worth a stroll.
πΏ Nature Escapes
The Rizhao Seaside National Forest Park, located at the northern end of the coast, features pine forests, wetlands, and birdwatching towers. Entry costs 30 RMB, and the park is open from 7 AM to 6 PM. For a shorter hike, climb the small hill at Taohua Island, accessible by a short ferry from the mainland.
π Local Food Scene
Seafood is the star here, with the Rizhao Seafood Market on Huanghai 3rd Road offering live catches you can have cooked at nearby stalls. Try the local specialty, steamed sea snails with garlic, for around 50 RMB per plate. For a sit-down meal, head to Laojie Seafood Restaurant on 88 Haiqu Road, known for its fresh oysters.
β Best Evening Spots
As the sun sets, the Wanpingkou boardwalk comes alive with street performers and pop-up bars serving local beer. For a quieter evening, visit the rooftop bar at the Crowne Plaza Rizhao, which offers panoramic ocean views. Most places stay open until midnight, but check hours as they vary by season.
π Getting Around
Public buses run along the coast from the train station to major beaches, with fares starting at 1 RMB. Taxis are affordable for short trips, typically 10-20 RMB within the city center. For flexibility, consider renting an electric scooter from shops near Wanpingkou for around 50 RMB per day.
π‘ Insider Tips
Visit beaches on weekday mornings to avoid the weekend crowds, especially in July and August. Bring cash for small vendors, as card payments are not always accepted at street stalls. Sunscreen and a hat are essential, as the coastal sun is strong even on cloudy days.
honestly this guide nails it, especially the bit about weekday mornings. i'd add that if you're doing the forest park, skip the entry fee altogether and walk the coastal path that starts just north of the park gate. it's technically outside the boundary but runs parallel to the beach for about 2 km through the same pine trees, and you'll hit the same wetlands trail the other comment mentioned. no ticket needed, just park at the dirt lot near the old watchtower on binhai road.
for the seafood market, the 4 PM tip is solid but i'd say go even earlier if you want the live crabs. the big ones with the blue claws sell out by 3:30 on summer weekends. grab a bag of steamed clams from the stall nearest the entrance on the left, the old lady there uses ginger and chili oil that's way better than the other places. 20 RMB for a big bowl.
one thing nobody's said yet: the bus along the coast stops running at 8 PM in off-season, so if you're staying late at the boardwalk, either grab a taxi or rent a scooter for the day. i missed the last bus once and walked 6 km back to my hotel, not fun. scooters are worth every yuan.
good guide, covers the waterfront pretty well. for the museum on haiqu east road, don't just do the main halls. the basement level has a small room with fishing boat models and old nets from the 1950s, it's easy to miss but gives you a real feel for how the local families worked the coast before tourism took over. the guard will let you down if you ask, just say "lao yumin zhanlan" and he'll nod you through.
if you're doing the water sports base, skip the 100 rmb lesson and just rent a kayak for 50 rmb an hour. the inlet is calm enough that you can figure it out in five minutes, and you'll get more time on the water for less money. the staff at the rental counter near the far end of the dock speak a bit of english and are pretty laid back about letting you go past the buoys if the tide is low enough.
for the forest park, the sunrise platform the other person mentioned is legit, but also check the wetlands trail on the west side. there's a wooden path that goes through the reeds and you can see egrets and sometimes a black-faced spoonbill if you're quiet. no one walks it because it's not on the park map, just follow the path past the maintenance shed
fwiw the wanpingkou boardwalk at sunset is nice but if u want a proper view without the crowd, walk south about 15 minutes past the main beach to the rocky jetty near the russian restaurant that closed down a few years back. the locals fish off the end of it and the light hits the water different there, way better for photos than the boardwalk. just watch your step on the wet rocks, they're slick as hell after 5 PM
also nobody mentioned the small temple on taohua island, it's tucked behind the hill on the east side and most people just climb the hill and leave. it's not much to look at from outside but the old guy who sweeps the courtyard will sometimes offer u tea if he's around. happened to me last spring, sat there for like an hour just listening to the wind through the pine trees. no english, just smiles and gestures, but one of those random moments that sticks with u more than any beach
Best Food in Rizhao (2026)
Rizhao's coastal location means seafood is the star. Don't miss the steamed sea bass with ginger and scallion, a local specialty that highlights freshness. Another must-trβ¦ π Must-Try Local Dishes
Rizhao's coastal location means seafood is the star. Don't miss the steamed sea bass with ginger and scallion, a local specialty that highlights freshness. Another must-try is the seafood pancake (haixian bing), a crispy crepe filled with shrimp and squid, often sold at street stalls for around 10-15 CNY.
πͺ Top Seafood Restaurant
For a sit-down seafood feast, head to Laojie Seafood Restaurant at 88 Haibin Road. They serve a massive seafood platter for 198 CNY that includes crab, prawns, and clams. Open daily from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM, it's best to arrive early to avoid the dinner rush.
π₯ Street Food Hotspots
Wanpingkou Night Market is the place for street food, with dozens of stalls lining the pedestrian street. Try the grilled squid skewers (5 CNY each) and the spicy crawfish (35 CNY per jin). The market buzzes from 5:00 PM to midnight, especially on weekends.
π² Budget-Friendly Eats
For a cheap and filling meal, visit Rizhao Noodle House at 12 Shandong Road. Their hand-pulled noodles with clams in broth cost just 15 CNY and are packed with flavor. Another option is the dumpling shop at 34 Haiqu Road, where a plate of 15 pork-and-cabbage dumplings is 12 CNY.
π£ Hidden Gem: Japanese Fusion
Sakura Sushi at 56 Yingbin Road offers a surprising Japanese-Korean fusion menu. Their spicy tuna roll and kimchi udon are local favorites, with lunch sets starting at 48 CNY. The cozy interior and friendly staff make it a great break from seafood.
π° Sweet Treats and Desserts
For dessert, try the mango sticky rice at Sweet Island Cafe on 22 Haibin Road. It's a Thai-inspired dish with fresh mango and coconut milk, priced at 28 CNY. Alternatively, grab a cone of soft-serve ice cream from the street vendor near Wanpingkou Beach for 5 CNY.
πΊ Best Evening Spots
As the sun sets, head to the rooftop bar at the Rizhao Marriott Hotel, 88 Haibin Road. They offer craft beers starting at 35 CNY and a view of the coastline. For a more local vibe, try the beer garden at 15 Haiqu Road, where a pitcher of Tsingtao costs 20 CNY and pairs perfectly with grilled squid.
that guide's pretty solid but they missed a breakfast spot. xinghai road between haiqu and shandong has a line of carts from 6-9am, get the jianbing with a fried oyster inside, 8 yuan and it's the best 5 yuan i've ever spent. the old guy with the blue hat makes the crispiest ones
also for a non-seafood night, the uyghur place on 42 yingbin road does lamb skewers with cumin and nan bread for 3 yuan each. it's a tiny hole in the wall with two tables but the owner sings sometimes while he grills, adds to the vibe
oh man that seafood platter at laojie is legit but heads up the 198 yuan one is for two people minimum, if you're solo they have a smaller version for 128 that still has crab and prawns just less clams. also if you go on a weekday lunch they do a 88 yuan lunch special with steamed fish and rice that flies under the radar
wanpingkou market is great but honestly i prefer the smaller market near the fishing pier on beihai road, opens at 4pm instead of 5 and the grilled squid is 4 yuan not 5. the vendors there are mostly retired fishermen so the seafood is fresher, they sell whatever they caught that morning
for a sweet treat that guide missed, there's a dessert cart on haibin road near the beach that does coconut jelly cups for 8 yuan, the guy shaves fresh coconut on top. way better than the mango sticky rice imo, and half the price
the japanese fusion spot sakura sushi is actually run by a korean couple so the kimchi udon is legit, i'd also recommend their lunch set with the spicy pork bowl for 38 yuan which isn't even on the english menu. just ask the ajumma for "dwaeji bulgogi set" and she'll hook u up