Yangma Island (养马岛, Horse-Raising Island), also known as Xiang Island, is located in Yantai City, Shandong Province. The island boasts a pleasant climate and diverse landscapes, making it a perfect destination for leisure and sightseeing. The eastern side of the island features clear waters and sandy beaches, ideal for swimming and water activities, while the western side, with its deeper waters and gentle waves, serves as a natural harbor.
The island is home to several attractions, including Tianma Square, a racecourse, a beachfront, Sea World, and Yubi Garden. These spots offer a variety of entertainment options for visitors, making Yangma Island an excellent place for a relaxing vacation. Additionally, the island’s waters are rich in marine life, producing sea cucumbers, scallops, abalone, prawns, and oysters, making it a paradise for seafood enthusiasts.
The name “Yangma Island” has two popular legends. The first dates back to the autumn of 219 BC, when Emperor Qin Shi Huang was on an eastern tour. As he and his entourage reached the area opposite Juyong Island, they felt exhausted. Suddenly, a refreshing breeze brought the scent of flowers and the sound of horses. Looking towards the island, they saw lush vegetation and majestic horses playing. Enchanted by the sight, Qin Shi Huang declared, “What a perfect island for raising horses!” He then designated the place as the “Imperial Horse-Raising Island” and ordered horses to be sent there for training. Over time, locals, discontented with the emperor’s rule, dropped the “Imperial” part, simply calling it Yangma Island.
The second legend stems from the early Ming Dynasty when Japanese pirates harassed coastal residents. To escape the pirates, many Juyong Island inhabitants moved inland, leaving the land idle. The fertile soil of the island was then utilized by soldiers to raise horses, hence the name Yangma Island.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Highlights of Yangma Island
- Vlog about Yangma Island
- Other Attractions in Yantai Urban Area
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | Over 3 hours |
| Ticket Price | Free |
| Opening Hours | 24 hours a day throughout the year |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0535-4763712 0086-0535-4763712 |
Location and Transportation
Yangma Island, also known as Elephant Island, is situated in Muping District, Yantai City, Shandong Province. The island lies approximately 9 kilometers north of the urban area of Muping District. To reach Yangma Island, visitors can conveniently take the 617 bus, which provides direct access to the island.
Highlights of Yangma Island
Tianma Square
Located at the entrance of Yangma Island, Tianma Square connects directly to the Yangma Island Overwater Bridge on its southern side. Covering an area of 72,000 square meters and stretching nearly 400 meters from east to west, the square celebrates China’s rich cultural heritage and enduring national spirit. It features six major scenic areas, including Tianma Garden and Qinhuang Garden, as well as eight main attractions such as the Horse Culture Corridor and a musical fountain.
The centerpiece of Tianma Square is the imposing Tianma Sculpture, which stands nearly 30 meters high. This grand sculpture, symbolizing the phrase “heavenly horse galloping across the sky,” serves as a landmark of Yangma Island, reflecting both its historical significance and cultural pride.
Yangxin Garden
Yangxin Garden, situated at the eastern end of Yangma Island, boasts a building area of 6,800 square meters. It is renowned for being China’s first deep-sea hot spring and the largest outdoor hot spring in East China. Designed by a famous Japanese architect, Yangxin Garden exudes an exotic charm.
The garden features the largest Japanese cuisine restaurant in East China, managed by Japanese chefs and equipped with separate sushi bars, teppanyaki stations, traditional tatami rooms, and a German beer brewing line. The extensive outdoor hot spring area and indoor bathing facilities can accommodate up to 500 guests simultaneously. Additionally, Yangxin Garden offers 17 authentic Japanese-style sea view tatami rooms, providing a unique and luxurious accommodation experience.
Qinhuang Sports and Entertainment Center
The Qinhuang Sports and Entertainment Center is a major attraction on Yangma Island, focusing on horse racing and equestrian shows. This center is well-equipped with parking areas, hotels, tourist shops, and photography services, providing a comprehensive experience for visitors. The centerpiece of the facility is a standard soccer field, which highlights the versatility of the center.
The horse racing track is a key feature, boasting a circumference of 1,000 meters and covering an area of 200 acres with a construction area of 4,200 square meters. This world-class venue has hosted numerous significant events, including national equestrian competitions, the Sixth National Games equestrian events, and youth soccer matches. It has also been designated as a national training base for the women’s soccer team. Horse racing shows are held every Saturday and Sunday, while equestrian performances are available all day from Monday to Friday.
Deer Park Scenic Area
Located north of Huangjia Village on Yangma Island, the Deer Park Scenic Area is another highlight of the island. With a total investment of 620,000 RMB, the park spans 5,400 square meters and is home to a herd of over 200 sika deer, making it the largest deer farm in the Jiaodong region.
The sika deer in this park originate from Northeast China and are known for their vibrant colors and agility. The park emphasizes close interactions between visitors and deer, offering a unique and engaging experience. This “deer-watching tour” allows guests to get up close and personal with these graceful animals, enhancing their visit with memorable encounters.
Seaside Bathing Beach
The Seaside Bathing Beach, located on the southeast end of Yangma Island, spans an area of 66,600 square meters. This beach is characterized by its wide and expansive shores, soft sand, gently sloping seabed, and calm waves, making it an ideal spot for visitors to escape the summer heat. The natural conditions here are exceptionally favorable for swimming and other water activities.
The beach is equipped with various amenities, including uniquely designed changing rooms, snack bars, cold drink stands, photography services, and parking lots, providing comprehensive services for tourists. Visitors can also enjoy water sports such as motor boating and pleasure boating, with options for sea tours and sightseeing.
Jinxiu City Scenic Area
Jinxiu City Scenic Area is located on the eastern end of Yangma Island, covering 140,000 square meters with a built-up area of 10,000 square meters. It is a modern, large-scale amusement park that combines sightseeing, entertainment, and dining. The unique architectural style of Jinxiu City is both elegant and distinctive, showcasing a variety of themed attractions.
One of the highlights is the Mystical Palace, which offers a glimpse into prehistoric human life, a haunted ghost house, a fantastic mirage, and an illusionary aerial world. These attractions provide a mix of excitement and wonder, captivating visitors with their imaginative designs.
The Sea World section of Jinxiu City features thrilling rides such as “The Rapids” and “The Crazy Mouse,” offering an exhilarating experience for adventure seekers. In the central area of the scenic spot is the Thousand Pigeon Square, home to over 1,000 ornamental pigeons from various species, adding a touch of natural beauty and tranquility to the vibrant park.
