Yantai, China

Yantai is located on the Shandong Peninsula, a region famous for its production of fruits. The city’s skyline is dominated by the world’s largest shipbuilding crane. The city boasts a number of parks and even a popular zoo. A stroll through the neighborhood of Yantai Mountain offers relaxation and pleasant views of colonial-period architecture. The Changyu Wine Culture Museum offers insights into this important local industry, as well as a look at the winery’s three “king-barrels,” each of which holds 15 tonnes of wine during fermentation. The visit includes tastings of some of the varieties produced here. Outside town, the Changdao Islands hold a number of traditional temples, and nearby Kunyu Mountain is the picturesque location of a famous Shaolin kung fu martial arts academy.