Yantai's Bus Route 17 offers a front-row seat to the city's stunning coastline. [Photo/WeChat account: ytwlgov]

For visitors to Yantai in East China's Shandong province, boarding Bus Route 17's upper deck for a window seat is the essential first step — and for just one yuan ($0.15), the city's stunning coastline unfolds like a moving picture.

Yantai spans the Yellow and Bohai Seas, with a winding 1,071-kilometer coastline. Route 17 acts as the "golden thread" along this shoreline, connecting 15 scenic spots — from Chaoyang Street and Yantai Mountain to Fisherman's Wharf — across Chefoo, Laishan, and High-tech Zones.

As the bus glides along Binhai Road, the shimmering sea moves by on the left, modern cityscapes and greenery on the right, making for a memorable sightseeing experience. 

Beyond sightseeing, Route 17 serves as a vital transportation link. Spanning 26.6 kilometers, it connects six universities and multiple residential areas with an annual ridership of 3.73 million passengers, exceeding one million during peak tourist seasons. 

Operating since 1998, the route has earned a reputation for considerate service. Its volunteer team has gone above and beyond over 1,000 times — from aiding ill passengers to helping elderly residents — a legacy that earned it the title of National "High-Quality Bus Route" in 2025. It's a moving symbol of Yantai's urban hospitality.