Yantaishan. Coastal walking bridge. Sea fishing. 2017[Photo by Bruce Connolly/chinadaily.com.cn]

There I would also observe in fascination and always with my camera, the regular procession of couples having their wedding photography taken within a quite beautiful coastal location. The waters around this part of Yantai were often amazingly clear. Couples would stand or perch on rocky headlands alongside which wooden boats carried fishermen on their daily quest to land abundant catches of seafood.

For photography, I found in and around Yantai many colorful locations. With mostly clear skies and considerable sunshine so image reproduction would usually be strong. However, I also went out at night, along often darker alleys and streets capturing images of workers at food stalls or sometimes simply the contrasts of brightly illuminated offices or hotels rising above the compact maze of seemingly little frequented surrounds that I had stumbled upon.

Generations! Residents play card games in older area. Young people at latest smartphone event. Yantai 2017[Photo by Bruce Connolly/chinadaily.com.cn] Hills encroached much of the city resulting today in more of a spread along the coastline but not reaching very far inland. On the slopes spread considerable areas of forest. Within one area on Nanshan Hill, there was located the city's zoo. As I wandered through on a hot midsummer day in front of my camera a peacock spread its plumage out. Just so beautiful I then tried creating an artistic image of the birds.

Looking from Nanshan the city spread below with its increasingly modern skyline along with expanding port and a growth of maritime related industries. I could in the distance discern the lighthouse tower on Yantaishan and decided to walk back. First it was down forest trails to a lake nestling within wooded slopes. A pavilion or "ting" providing a peaceful rest before continuing past Yantai Brewery. Eventually I reached Suochengli Street where there was a delightful cafe created from an older courtyard building. Crossing busy Beima Road it was back along Chaoyang and Hai’an Streets to reach the sea. I sat there, in front of my hotel for about an hour, with the refreshing sea air gently blowing over me. Next day I would be heading back to Beijing but Yantai was on my mind. How much would it change before I returned? There were also areas I had not yet explored. When would I be able to return?

Yantaishan. Wedding photography 2017[Photo by Bruce Connolly/chinadaily.com.cn] Unfortunately I did not manage to visit it last year but this year it is on my calendar. I hope that dream can be fulfilled. To be once again with my camera recording and documenting the many fascinations of this lovely city with its excellent location near where the Bohai Gulf merges into the Yellow Sea. Yantai!