From the Indian Ocean of Kenya to the Yellow Sea of China: Shandong feels like home

Tourists enjoy the view of the Yellow Sea. (Photo/Bryan Otieno)

They may not be as white as those in Mombasa, Watamu and Diani in the Kenyan coastal region but you can see the investment that has been put into them to make them more attractive.

The number of cars parked at a safe distance from the beach tells part of the story.

The cheerfulness of the children and adults alike, playful like there is no single problem in their lives, and the sheer will of the old and ageing to go out and relive their golden days, is in itself fascinating to see.

They call it the land of '1001 Coastal Drive' owing to the 1,001-kilometer road along the coastline that connects the city and the radiating countryside, where the mountains meet the sea in a breath-taking fashion.

Weihai, a “City of Happiness”

This is Weihai city, one of three coastal cities in the Shandong province of China, which I visited.

Shandong province has 16 cities with Jinan being the capital.

With a permanent population of 2.9 million people living in an area covering 5,799.8 square kilometers, Weihai is the city to visit if you want to mix beach, cultural and historic tourism, much like Mombasa in Kenya.

Weihai has been selected as a “City of Happiness” in China by the National Bureau of Statistics and China Central Television.

The residents are hospitable, and always willing to help despite the language barrier that exists between them and foreign tourists.

When you ask one for directions, they will call over another, who then calls another and so you may end up with as many as five different random people all trying to help understand your request so they can help you.

The first person you ask feels responsible for you and will not leave your side until you get the help you need.

It could be part of the reason Weihai city has also won the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour award.

The award is one of the most prestigious awards in the world that recognizes initiatives that make contributions in the field of human well-being and settlement, the provision of housing, and alleviating poverty among the people.

The First World War Chinese Laborers Memorial Hall was built in memory of the 140,000 laborers China dispatched to the battlefields in Europe during the First World War.

The memorial hall is to Weihai what Fort Jesus is to Mombasa.

If you are not relaxing and unwinding, then the city offers a variety of products manufactured in the city.

Weihai is an important manufacturing base for an array of items like fishing gear, tires, carpets, and medical supplies, among others that form pillar industries, including information technology, food processing, new medicine and medical instruments, transportation equipment, and textiles and clothing.

Yantai, a mixture of mountainous and coastal scenery

Yantai is another city located in the coastal region of Shandong province in eastern China. The city’s beauty is captivating.

From the neat pavement and clean streets to the variety of nice seafood, Yantai welcomes all.

Wine lovers would not be able to resist this city, with the vineyards in Quishan Valley and Penglai creating an irresistible allure, and with the chateaus in the area serving to make one forget they are on earth. It is heavenly.

The different sculptures lining the streets tell different tales of old, reminding historians and students alike of the history of legends that once strolled this part of China.

Having the highest forest coverage rate in the whole of Shandong province, the air is natural, fresh and almost therapeutic.

The city has a population of slightly over 7 million people, while possessing a land area of 13,900 square kilometers and a sea area of 26,000 square kilometers.

If not careful, Yantai, a coastal wonderland, can make you forget about having to return home.

Qingdao, a city of warmth and hospitality

Qingdao was the last and biggest city I visited in terms of population.

With a land area of 11,200 square kilometers and a sea area of 12,200 square kilometers, it has a local population of 10.26 million.

The nightlife in Qingdao is amazing, made possible by the warmth and hospitality of its people.

Taking a walk along the beach at night relieves you of any stress you might be having.

It was the first time in three months that I actually stepped into the waters of the ocean, only this time it was the Yellow Sea in the Pacific Ocean and not the Indian Ocean.

I felt at home.

Bryan Otieno is a journalist with Kenyan newspaper the Star.