Mount Kunyu is located on the Shandong Peninsula (aka Jiaodong Peninsula) in the Yellow Sea, just south of the Liaodong Peninsula which lies across the bay to the north, Liaodong Peninsula being the part of China that is contiguous with the Korean Peninsula. Together, the Jiaodong and the Liaodong Peninsulas are the pincers, as it were, that encircle the Gulf of Bohai, the bay that lies closest to the capital, Beijing. The Hai He River, which empties into the Gulf of Bohai, connects to the Yongding River ("River of Eternal Stability"), which in turn connects to Beijing, where, about 15 kilometers southeast of the capital, a famous bridge crosses the Yongding, namely, Luguo Bridge, aka Marco Polo Bridge, and famous not only for the compliment paid to it by the renowned Italian explorer, but also for the hundreds of depictions of lions that adorn the bridge - some as complete statues, others as busts, and still others in the form of bas-relief figures - and which makes the bridge unique in the world (to learn more about Marco Polo Bridge, click here).
Kunyu Mountain offers pristinely beautiful natural scenery. The mountain is covered by lush ancient trees, among which flow numerous clear streams. Countless mysterious and deep gorges largely remain untouched by human beings. The sound of waterfalls and the chirping of birds blend harmoniously with the quietness of the mountain. The mist-shrouded peaks add a mysterious touch. The original ecosystem is well-preserved, making the charming and inviting natural beauty worthy of added appreciation. The mountain lays claim to over 1000 species of plants and animals.
Mount Kunyu lies about 25 kilometers inland from the southernmost point of the East China Sea - which corresponds to the southeastern quadrant of the Yellow Sea - roughly midway between the coastal cites of Yantai to the west, and Weihai to the east. Mount Kunyu's highest point is Taibo Peak, at about 920 meters above sea level, and the highest peak of the eastern flank of Shandong Peninsula. The mountain is famous for its natural beauty: its towering peaks that link up to form staircase-like ridges, its tall, ancient trees, and its clear, spring-fed streams that lead to precipitous waterfalls.
Kunyu Mountain makes up a nice tourist destination all year round. In spring, the sight of greenery dotted with wild flowers makes a feast for your eyes. In summer, it is cool with plentiful shade, and is thus a good place to avoid the summer heat. In autumn, flaming colors of maple trees and dark green pine needles mingle over the mountain, with nature making such a colorful carpet to walk through. In winter, it takes another appearance. The ground is a blanket of white with a capping of snow-laden trees.
Opening Time:
From 8:00AM to 6:30PM, daily.
How to get there:
From the city of Yantai: The tour bus to Mount Kunyu departs twice daily, at 9:15AM and again at 3:15PM.
From Muping County: In addition, there is a local bus to Mount Kunyu that departs from the village and seat of Muping County every hour. The connecting bus from Yantai to Muping departs every five minutes, so there is ample opportunity to vist the mountain.
Tips:
1) Access to Mount Kunyu: The mountain is located only 50 kilometers or so from the large urban center, Yantai, and even less from the city of Wehai. Laishan Airport is also nearby, from whence one can catch a bus that takes about 40 minutes to arrive at the mountain.
2) Festivals: A special Sightseeing Festival is held in the state forest park of Mount Kunyu every year, from the middle to the end of the month of April. Visitors will enjoy blossoming winter jasmine, azalea and bitter cauliflower, as well as blossoming trees such as the apricot, the apple, and the peach. It is both a colorful and a highly perfumed experience, not to be missed if you plan to be on the mountain during this period.
3) Recommended time of year to visit Mount Kunyu: April to October is the prime period for visiting Mount Kunyu. Visitors are advised to wear layered clothing, perhaps with an umbrella or rain jacket at hand, since mountain ranges are synonymous with dramatically varying climate ranges.