Lodging in Yantai:

"The railway station and its vicinity must have cheap beds." is like a law to most Chinese cities, including Yantai. The Tiedao Hotel (Tel: 0535-6256588) on Bei Ma Lu probably offers the cheapest accommodation. The hotel is to your right when you come out of the railway station. An alternative is the Golden Shell Hotel (Tel: 0535-6216495), also on Bei Ma Lu, and only a 10 minute walk from the railway station.

The "Most luxurious hotel" title must fall to the city's only four-star Yantai Pacific Hotel (Tel: 0535-6206888) on Shifu Lu, with facilities including bowling alleys, swimming pool, restaurants and fitness room, or the Golden Gulf Hotel (Tel: 0535-6224491) which has rooms facing the sea.

Other hotels to choose from are the Asia Hotel (Tel: 0535-6247888) on Nan Dajie, the International Trade Hotel (Tel: 0535-6217888) on Nan Dajie and the Yantai Hotel (Tel: 0535-6888468) on Huanshan Lu. This hotel has its own beach.

Lodging in Penglai:

A trip to Penglai can be concluded in one day. Tourist groups usually arrive in Penglai from Yantai or Qingdao and leave in late afternoon. However, there are still plenty of beds for those who'd like to stay longer. The Penglai Golden Hotel (0535-5619245) on Dengzhou lu is probably the first choice as it situates close to the world renowned Penglai Pavilion. The alternative is the Pengxiang Hotel (0535-5656788) on Beiguan lu. There are several budget hotels with comfortable accommodation for example at Luliang Hotel (0535-5643801) on Zhonglou donglu or the Penglai Hotel (0535-5642411) on Zhonglou nanlu.

Lodging in Qingdao:

Qingdao, as one of China's most developed and cosmopolitan ports, has a wealth of hotels, mostly luxurious, but whose quality is not always assured. It is not so hard, however, to find a decent international hotel, although obviously expect to pay dearly. Qingdao is not an easy place for the budget traveler.

For those on a top price budget, the choice will point to anywhere well located near, or on, the seafront. The Shangri-la would be an obvious choice, but the Haitian Hotel is of comparable standard, with perhaps a slightly better location.

Mid-range hotels are in plentiful supply in Qingdao. The best way of making your choice here, besides the hotel facilities, is in picking somewhere within easy walking distance of the main sights and shopping districts. Of these, the best are probably the Huanghai hotel, which overlooks the Number One Beach.

For budget travelers, your best bet is either the rather grotty Railway Hotel, or the nicer Friendship or Peace Hotels on the top of Xinjiang lu, near the Passenger Ferry Terminal (Gangke yunzhan). These hotels are not budget as such, but out of season you should be able to bargain the price down.

(Source: ctrip.com)