Dongying Travel Guide

Chinese Name: 东营 (dōng yíng)
Population: 2,179,700
Area: 8,243 square kilometers (3,183 square miles)
Location: in the north of Shandong Province, east China
Administrative Division: 3 districts (Dongying, Hekou, Kenli); 2 counties (Lijin, Guangrao)
Area Code: 0546
Zip Code: 257000
GDP (2019): CNY 291.619 billion (USD 42.270 billion)  

The city lies in the northern part of Shandong Province, the Yellow River Delta area. It neighbors the Bohai Sea to the east and north. The Yellow River flows through nine provinces, and then meets the sea in Kenli County of the city. Since the discovery of Shengli Oilfield, Chinese second largest oilfield, Dongying's economy has developed rapidly, and it has now developed into a big modern city with convenient transportation and fine cityscape. Because Dongying sees the Yellow River flowing into the Bohai Sea, visitors can watch a dividing line in the Yellow River Mouth Wetland Park. Also, a stunning sunset cannot be missed when you visit the Yellow River mouth. In addition, Dongying welcomes a large number of swans to live through the winter. Most of them gather in Swan Lake Scenic Spot. Many parks in urban Dongying with their own characteristics are top choices for leisure and walking.

Located six kilometers (nine miles) to the east of city proper, it was called Guangnan Reservoir. It provides fresh water resource to Shengli Oil Field and the local people. Covering an area of 3000 hectares (24 square miles), it has now been developed into a large aqua park eight times the size of the West Lake area and combines sightseeing, vacation and entertainment. Located in the Yellow River delta, it has rich bird's resources and fishery resources. It is called Swan Lake because every November to the next April, large crowds of swans will flock into the park, attracting numerous visitors to enjoy this beautiful sight. The rare birds include white swan, black swan, grey swan and crane. On clear days, these beautiful waterfowls frolic on the blackish green water, some are smoothing feathers while some are dancing graceful water ballet. Their excellent performance even attracts big golden carp to spring out of the water to glance at their beauty. On rainy days, the elegant pavilions, towers and terraces on the islet in the center of the lake can be vaguely seen, as if the fantastic and wonderful mirage appears. There are many scenic sights on the islets in the lake. Visitors can walk across the T-shaped bridges on the water to have a look, or take a motorboat or yacht to cruise to the whole lake park. 

 Other Scenic Spots: Shengli Yellow River Bridge, Yellow River Estuary, Science Exhibition Hall of the Shengli Oil Field

1. Swan Lake Scenic Spot is 20 minutes' drive from Dongying Yong'an Airport and can be reached from the bus station and the railway station within 1 hour. There are two tourist bus lines leaving at 08:00, 09:00 and 10:00 in the morning. One departs in front of the gate of the city's public bus company in the East City Zone, passing the city's government office, Qingfenghu Lake and finally getting to the Swan Lake. The other bus line leaves from the railway station. It is advised to wait in the pick-up point ten minutes a head of time. Furthermore, from the Shengli Oil Field passenger transport central station in Xisi Lu, a special line to the Swan Lake departs around 08:20 in the morning and back in the afternoon.

2. Yong'an Airport is 13 kilometers (about 8 miles) from the downtown area and it can be reached in forty minutes from there. Every week, there will be one flight a day flying to Beijing and four flights in total to the Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport.

Enjoying a temperate monsoon climate, the area has four distinct seasons. Dongying weather is windy and lacking in rainfall in the spring, while heat and torrid temperatures, along with the rainfall, are mainly concentrated in the summer. Except for the chilly winter, it is favorable to pay a visit at any time of year. 

 History: Due to the time difference between the formation of land and administrative systems, the history of the different regions of Dongying varies greatly. Its southern area was inhabited by human settlers more than five thousand years ago, and counties were established in its western part from the Spring and Autumn Period (770BC-476BC) to the Warring States Period (476BC-221BC). However, the northern area, which is formed by the deposition of the Yellow River, has a much shorter history of only hundreds of years. Dongying City was established in 1983 for the development of the petroleum industry of the region.

 Physical Features: As the Yellow River flows towards the sea, the terrain of the city declines from the southwest to the northeast. Flat and low lying areas constitute the major land of the area. Around the coastline, foreshore area makes a large part of the city’s territory.

 Special Local Products: winter jujube, prawn, prickless cucumber of Guangrao County