Laiyang, Shandong

Chinese Name: 莱阳 (lái yáng)
Population: 886,000
Area: 1,732 square kilometers (669 square miles)
Location: in the south of Yantai City, Shandong Province, east China
Area Code: 0536
Zip Code: 262200
GDP (2018): CNY 39.83 billion (USD 6.02 billion)

Laiyang, a county-level city under the jurisdiction of Shandong Province, is managed by Yantai city. It is adjacent to Zhaoyuan and Qixia on the north, Haiyang on the east and Qingdao on the south. Due to the convenient transportation, Laiyang has been involved in the development of Qingdao, Yantai, Weifang and Weihai, becoming an important city of the Shandong Peninsula metropolitan group. Laiyang Shandong is known as the Township of Pear in China because of its unique Laiyang Pear which was served as a tribute for the past emperors. In addition, Laiyang is the first place in China to discover dinosaurs, dinosaur eggs and pterosaur fossils. Laiyang offers a number of tourist attractions such as the Cretaceous National Geopark, Township of Pear Tourist Area, Zhuo Village, Niangniang Mountain, Dragon King Temple and Jinshan Pagoda.

 Township of Pear Tourist Area
Township of Pear Tourist Area is located in Zhaowangzhuang Town, also the original producing area of Laiyang Pear. There is a group of ancient pear trees with more than 400 years of age and the famous Chinese Royal Pear Tree. The pear garden is spectacular and beautiful as the snow-white pear blossoms are full of the branches in April every year. In the scenic spot, tourists can also pick pears, experience pear farming or learn about folk customs, production and living equipment of the pear.

​ Highlights: Pear Blossom Festival in April and the Pear Festival and Laiyang Pear Culture Festival in July.

 Cretaceous National Geopark
The main building of the park is the Geological Museum. On the first floor of the museum, visitors can trace the geological changes of Laiyang and know many ancient creatures once lived in Laiyang Shandong and their important events. The evolution of the earth and life is shown on the second floor. Visitors are able to see more than 400 rare tree fossils from different countries at Zhanghe International Petrified Forests.

 Cherry Blossom Village
Zhuo Village is the largest cherry viewing resort in northern China, with more than 50,000 cherry trees. Tourists can take photos, play, have a picnic in the cherry forest, cherry tunnel and cherry pavilion, and feel the cherry beauty in the spring. The village also highlights the largest private botanical Garden in Shandong Province, with more than 2,000 kinds of plants planted inside. Every April, Zhuo village will hold the Cherry Blossom Festival, lasting for one month.

The best time to visit Laiyang is in April, May, September and November. From April to May the pear flowers and cherry flowers come to full blossom and the Laiyang pears ripen in the end of September. In Laiyang Shandong, it is windy and dry with an average temperature of 13.7℃ (56.7℉) in spring, from March to May. And then the hot and rainy weather will last to August and the temperature can be up to 38℃ (100℉). From September to October, the autumn time of Laiyang, it is warm during the day time but cold at night. The winter time of Laiyang is cold and dry and the temperature can be as low as -6℃ (21℉).

Laiyang is 348 km (216 mi) away from Jinan, the capital of Shandong Province, and 128km (80 mi) away from Qingdao. To get to Laiyang, Visitors can fly to Qingdao Liuting International Airport or Yantai Penglai International Airport. The distance from Laiyang to the two airports is equal and it takes about 80 minutes to Laiyang by a coach. It is also easy to access Laiyang by taking a bullet train to Laiyang South Railway Station or taking a coach.

The inner transportation means are composed of buses and taxis. Visitors can take bus line 3 to Zhaowangzhuang Town. It takes CNY10-20 to Laiyang South Railway Station and CNY10 to Laiyang Central Bus Station form the downtown area.

The best Laiyang food to try include Laiyang Pear, Huangbuzhai Bingzi (Chestnut Cake), Smoked Chicken, Peanut Cake and Pot-stewed Chicken.

​ Laiyang Pear
The pear tastes juicy, crisp and sweet, featuring the yellow skin and an obovate shape.

​ Huangbuzhai Bingzi (Chestnut Cake)
Mix the chestnut powder, flour, peanut oil and water to make a dough and bake until done. The Huangbuzhai Bingzi tastes sweet and soft.

​ Smoked Chicken
The chicken is smoked by pear wood so it has a strong fragrance. It tastes tender and fabulous with golden skin. Pickle the chicken with natural spices, ginger, scallion, soy sauce and aginomoto for 12-24 hours. Smoke the chicken for 15 minutes and then steam for 25 minutes.
 

Laiyang Pear