Passengers enjoy the coastal landscape while taking a ferry across Bohai Bay. [Photo/Daxiao News]

A new "weekend getaway" ferry service began on May 6, turning the busy Bohai Bay passenger route into a travel option for weekends. The service connects Yantai with Dalian and Weihai, making it a transport route into an entryway for coastal tourism.

Friday departures let travelers board after work and arrive at their destination on Saturday morning. The route already transports nearly 5 million passengers and 1.2 million vehicles annually. Round-trip half-price cabin tickets are available for families purchasing at ticket windows.

Three themed routes are available: a "dual-city" tour visiting coastal spots in Dalian, Yantai, and Weihai; a "luxury seaborne" package with onboard dining and activities; and a "roots-seeking" route focusing on historical migration ties. Modern ships offer hotel-class cabins, restaurants, and play areas.

For Yantai, the service fits with the Yantai Tourism Card, which is a free pass to 27 major attractions, including Penglai Pavilion and Kunyu Mountain, and offers discounts at over 75 hotels and restaurants.

The ferry service makes it easier and more affordable for travelers in the Bohai region to reach Yantai, increasing the demand for lodging, dining, and sightseeing. What was once just a shipping lane is now the start of weekend trips around Bohai Bay.