“Exploring Yantai Through Exam Papers”: Decoding the City?Model of Cultural Confidence “Exploring Yantai Through Exam Papers”: Decoding the City?Model of Cultural Confidence
This year, the geography exam (Yellow River Edition) of the National College Entrance Examination (Gaokao) included the Changdao International Zero-Carbon Island in Yantai as a core case study, highlighting its growing influence both domestically and internationally. As an ancient poem goes, “Mere reading you shouldn’t trust; learning by doing is a must.” On June 24, 2025, Yantai held a press conference, announcing the launch of the theme activity “Meeting the Sea Along the Yellow River, Exploring Yantai Through Exam Papers” for the 2025 Gaokao students from June 25 to September 1, 2025. This seamless and relaxed integration reflects the city’s confidence, grace, and hospitality.
Where does this “confidence, grace, and hospitality” come from? It stems from the interplay and mutual inspiration of profound historical and cultural heritage, picturesque natural scenery, and the vibrant urban vitality. Take Changdao as an example. Legend has it that Emperor Qin Shi Huang believed that stepping foot on this island would grant him immortality, hence naming it the “Island of Eternal Life”, or today’s Changdao. Listen to the stirring chants of fishermen and the solemn and mysterious rituals of sea worship, echoing the millennium-long dialogue between fishermen and the sea. Look at the steep cliffs of Jiuzhang Cliff, shaped by millions of years of marine erosion, and the colorful pebble beaches of Yueya Bay, resembling a vivid painting of a celestial moon palace. Changdao, as an ecological green island, is a model of zero-carbon development, and its Daheishan Island is China’s first “carbon-negative island.” The entire Changdao region continues to build the “Changdao International Zero-Carbon Island,” harnessing marine resources for the marine ecological economy.
The more magnificent the chapter, the more confidently and calmly it must be written. Yantai, as one of the first 14 coastal opening-up cities in China, has nurtured diverse cultures, such as marine culture, immortal-seeking culture, red culture, wine culture, and port-opening culture. It is the birthplace of the legend “The Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea”, the cradle of Quanzhen Taoism, and the hometown of the “Seven Masters of Quanzhen Taoism.” It is Asia’s only “International Grape and Wine City”, where Dr. Sun Yat-sen praised Zhangyu Wine with the inscription “Timeless Brewery.” The city’s new branding, “Timeless Yantai,” highlights both the character of its people and the quality of its products. The city is also home to China’s sole offshore satellite launch base, the Oriental Spaceport, the only sea launch homeport in the country with both manufacturing and launch capabilities. When satellites are launched offshore near the coast, lucky visitors can witness the awe-inspiring visual feast. Yantai people embody the unique red culture of loyalty, dedication, wit, and courage, with heroic deeds like the Landmine Warfare and role models such as Yang Zirong, composing moving and epic chapters of heroism... Across mountains and seas, spanning thousands of years, here we witness the cultural confidence of the “Timeless City.”
What is uniquely Yantai is also globally shared. In 2024, Yantai garnered one shining accolade after another, earning the title of “International Garden City,” being awarded one of the “Top 10 Influential Cities Along the Maritime Silk Road in 2024,” and serving as the only Chinese city to share its case at the event. “Building Changdao International Zero-Carbon Island as a Chinese model, striving to create a green, beautiful, and happy island”—this is the new direction and mission of Timeless Yantai. “We welcome more Pacific Island countries to join the International Zero-Carbon Island Cooperation Initiative,” stated China’s Initiative on Deepening Cooperation with Pacific Island Countries on Combating Climate Change, released at the Third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, once again offering China’s wisdom and solutions to the world. The 2025 GWTO Enotourism Conference, scheduled to be held in Yantai from July 2 to 5, 2025. It will systematically showcase the urban IP “Fragrant Yantai Enchants the World,” promoting it from an “International Wine City” to a “World-Class Wine Tourism Destination.” Vibrant and full of vitality, Yantai presents a new global model of cultural confidence and self-improvement to the world.
Too much praise might risk sounding like blowing our own horn. As the saying goes, “Eating what others have chewed isn’t tasty”—this “exam paper” needs to be answered by the visitors themselves. Yantai has launched four “Carbon Journey to Changdao· Four Seasons with You” zero-carbon tourist routes and two study-tour routes for immersive zero-carbon island experiences. Popular dishes like sea worm stir-fried rice and mackerel dumplings will add charm to your summer journey. More importantly, in the journey of decoding Yantai’s model of cultural confidence, you can write a brilliant youth answer sheet and gain a richer life experience.
(Author: Wu Yong)
