Longkou Travel Guide

A coastal city on the Bohai Bay, Longkou is famous for its vermicelli production, Nanshan Group's industrial prowess, and relaxing seaside scenery.

About

Longkou is a county-level city under the administration of Yantai, located on the northern coast of Shandong's Jiaodong Peninsula along the Bohai Sea. With a population of approximately 730,000 and an area of 901 square kilometers, it is one of Shandong's most economically dynamic county-level cities.

Longkou is globally famous for Longkou vermicelli (cellophane noodles), a delicate mung bean starch noodle that has been produced in the region for over 300 years. Despite its name, the vermicelli actually originates from nearby Zhaoyuan but was historically shipped through Longkou Port, giving it the Longkou brand name recognized worldwide.

The city is dominated by Nanshan Group, a massive conglomerate with interests in aluminum smelting, textiles, tourism, and real estate. Nanshan is one of China's largest privately-held industrial groups and has transformed the local economy. Its tourism arm developed the Nanshan Scenic Area, which includes the Nanshan Grand Buddha, luxury hotels, and a golf course.

Longkou Port is a key maritime gateway for the Bohai Rim region, handling bulk commodities, containers, and roll-on/roll-off cargo. The city's coastal location also supports a fishing industry that supplies fresh seafood to markets across Shandong.

Despite its industrial strength, Longkou maintains attractive coastal scenery. Sang Island, a short ferry ride from the mainland, offers a peaceful retreat with volcanic rock formations, clear waters, and seaside dining.

History & Development

Longkou's history as a settlement dates back over 2,000 years. During the Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD), the area was part of the Huang County administration. The name "Longkou" literally means "Dragon Mouth," derived from the shape of the coastline.

The Ming and Qing dynasties saw the development of Longkou as a fishing port and small trading post. The production of vermicelli began during this period, with local farmers processing mung beans into starch noodles during the agricultural off-season.

Longkou's modern transformation began in the late 20th century. The Song family of Nanshan Village started a small textile workshop in 1978, which grew into the Nanshan Group — a Fortune Global 500 company by the 2010s. The group's success catalyzed Longkou's industrialization and urbanization.

In 1986, Longkou was upgraded from a town to a county-level city. The subsequent decades saw rapid economic growth driven by Nanshan's expansion into aluminum smelting, tourism, and real estate. The Nanshan Scenic Area, opened in the 2000s, became one of Shandong's premier tourist attractions.

Today, Longkou is recognized as one of China's top 100 county-level economies, balancing industrial development with coastal tourism and traditional vermicelli production.

Economy & Industries

Longkou's economy is defined by Nanshan Group, one of China's largest private conglomerates. Nanshan's businesses include aluminum smelting (Nanshan Aluminum is one of China's top producers), textiles, apparel, tourism, real estate, and finance. The group contributes a significant share of Longkou's tax revenue and employment.

The aluminum industry is the cornerstone. Nanshan Aluminum operates a fully integrated production chain from alumina refining to deep processing of aluminum sheets, foils, and profiles used in construction, electronics, and automotive manufacturing. In 2024, the city's gross domestic product reached approximately 140 billion yuan.

Longkou Vermicelli remains an important traditional industry. Over 100 vermicelli producers operate in the Longkou-Zhaoyuan area, exporting to over 50 countries. The industry has modernized with automated production lines while maintaining traditional quality standards.

The port economy is another pillar. Longkou Port handles over 100 million tons of cargo annually, serving as a key logistics hub for the Bohai Rim region. It supports bulk exports of aluminum products, machinery, and agricultural goods.

Coastal tourism is growing, centered on the Nanshan Scenic Area's hotels, golf courses, and cultural attractions, supplemented by Sang Island's eco-tourism and beach resorts along the Bohai coast.

Top Attractions

⛩️ Temple

Nanshan Grand Buddha

A towering 38.66-meter bronze seated Buddha statue, one of the largest in China, set within the serene Nanshan Temple complex overlooking the Bohai Sea.

★★★★ 4.7

🕐 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM

🎫 120 yuan

🌳 Park

Nanshan Scenic Area

A large comprehensive scenic area including the Nanshan Temple, Grand Buddha, a traditional Chinese medicine cultural park, and a golf course — all set against coastal hills.

★★★★ 4.5

🕐 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM

🎫 120 yuan

🏛️ Landmark

Ding's Manor

A grand historic mansion complex built by the Ding family, wealthy merchants during the Qing Dynasty. Features exquisite traditional architecture, courtyards, and period furnishings.

★★★★ 4.3

🕐 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

🎫 30 yuan

🏔️ Nature

Sang Island

A small, car-free island accessible by ferry from Longkou, known for its clear waters, volcanic rock formations, seafood restaurants, and quiet beach coves.

★★★★ 4.5

🕐 Ferry operates 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM

🎫 Free (ferry extra)

🏔️ Nature

Moon Bay Beach

A crescent-shaped sandy beach along Longkou's Bohai coastline, popular for swimming, beach volleyball, and sunset walks.

★★★★ 4.2

🕐 Open 24 hours

🎫 Free

📍 Other

Longkou Port

A major seaport on the Bohai Bay, handling bulk cargo, containers, and passenger services. The port area offers a glimpse into Longkou's maritime economy.

★★★ 3.8

🕐 External viewing only; port not open to public

🎫 Free

Food & Culture

Discover the culinary treasures of Longkou, from traditional street food to imperial cuisine.

Longkou Vermicelli

The world-famous Longkou vermicelli — thin, translucent noodles made from mung bean starch. Prized for their silky texture, they are used in soups, stir-fries, and cold dishes worldwide.

Longkou Braised Prawns

Large fresh prawns from the Bohai Sea, wok-fried with ginger, garlic, and a sweet-savory sauce until the shells are crisp and the meat is succulent.

Bohai Seafood Stew

A hearty stew of clams, shrimp, fish, and squid from the Bohai Sea, cooked in a light broth with glass noodles and fresh vegetables.

Nanshan Vegetarian Feast

A refined vegetarian meal served at Nanshan Temple, featuring mock meats made from gluten and tofu, seasonal vegetables, and Buddhist culinary traditions.

Longkou Steamed Sea Bass

Fresh sea bass from the Bohai, steamed with ginger, spring onion, and soy sauce — a classic preparation that highlights the natural sweetness of the fish.

Vermicelli Salad

A refreshing cold salad of Longkou vermicelli tossed with shredded cucumber, carrot, egg, and a tangy sesame-vinegar dressing.

Things to Do

✨

Buddha Visit

Visit the awe-inspiring Nanshan Grand Buddha and explore the surrounding temple complex with panoramic coastal views.

✨

Island Escape

Take a ferry to Sang Island for a day of swimming, hiking volcanic trails, and eating freshly caught seafood.

✨

Beach Relaxation

Unwind on Moon Bay Beach with its soft sand and calm Bohai Sea waters — perfect for swimming and sunbathing.

🏛️

Historical Manor Tour

Step back in time at Ding's Manor, a beautifully preserved Qing dynasty merchant mansion with exquisite architecture.

✨

Food Discovery

Taste Longkou's famous vermicelli in various preparations — from cold salads to hearty hot pots — at local restaurants.

Suggested Itineraries

1-Day Longkou Seaside Tour

Experience Longkou's highlights from its grand Buddha statue to its seaside charm in one day.

Nanshan Grand Buddha & Scenic Area
Moon Bay Beach relaxation
Seafood lunch at local restaurant

2-Day Coastal Escape

A relaxing coastal getaway combining island exploration, history, and Longkou's famous cuisine.

Sang Island full-day trip
Ding's Manor historical visit
Longkou vermicelli tasting

Getting Around

✈️

Airport

Accessible via Yantai Penglai International Airport (YNT), about 60 km away

🚄

High-Speed Rail

Connected to Yantai (40 minutes) and Qingdao (2 hours) via high-speed rail

🚇

Metro

No metro system; buses and taxis available within Longkou

🚗 Complete Transport Guide →

Best Time to Visit

🌸

Spring

March to May

★★★★☆

Mild and refreshing, 8-20°C. Cherry blossoms bloom in coastal parks. Pleasant for temple visits and exploring Ding's Manor.

Cherry blossoms
Comfortable sightseeing
Spring seafood season

☀️

Summer

June to August

★★★★★

Warm and sunny, 22-30°C. Peak season for beach activities at Moon Bay and Sang Island. Great for swimming and seafood feasts.

Beach swimming
Sang Island day trips
Summer seafood bounty

🍂

Autumn

September to November

★★★★★

Cool and pleasant, 12-24°C. Clear skies and calm seas. Best season for photography and outdoor dining.

Pleasant hiking weather
Autumn coastal views
Harvest season produce

❄️

Winter

December to February

★★☆☆☆

Cold and windy, -2 to 6°C. Coastal winds make it feel colder. Indoor attractions and hot pot restaurants are the main draws.

Quiet temple visits
Winter seafood hot pot
Minimal tourist crowds

Continue Exploring China

Discover more cities, food guides, and travel inspiration.