Weifang (simplified Chinese: 潍坊; traditional Chinese: 濰坊; pinyin: Wéifāng) is a prefecture-level city in central Shandong province, People's Republic of China. The city borders Dongying to the northwest, Zibo to the west, Linyi to the southwest, Rizhao to the south, Qingdao to the east, and looks out to the Laizhou Bay to the north. Its population was 9,386,705 at the 2020 census, of whom 3,095,520 lived in the built-up (or metro) area made up of four urban districts (Kuiwen, Weicheng, Hanting and Fangzi) and Changle County largely being urbanized.
Weifang has numerous natural and historic sites, such as Shihu Garden (from the Late Ming and early Qing Dynasty), Fangong Pavilion (from the Song Dynasty), fossil sites (including dinosaur fossils, in Shanwang, Linqu), Mount Yi National Forest Park, Mount Qingyun and the Old Dragon Spring. Painted New Year woodcuts from Yangjiabu are also well known. The city is served by Weifang Airport to various cities across China.
Weifang's claim to fame is its kites and a visit to Weifang should include some exposure to the kite culture here.
Shandong food comes in two flavors: spicy and salty and usually both. Bun-like white bread is more prevalent than noodles in the province and the seafood is generally quite fresh. Weifang has many restaurants on offer and for a random stab at it, try Si Ping Lu which is lined with eateries. Menus are generally not in English though most restaurants have picture menu's or food displayed in the entrance. Enjoy.
After 21:00, choices are severely reduced, the best options for late night chow being YonHo 永和豆浆 or '''McDonald's, both of which are open 24 hours.
Weifang radishes are re-known in Shandong for their nutrition and zesty flavor, a trip to Weifang should include a bite of radish. Head to the supermarket or bargain with a guy selling them on the sidewalk.
Some supermarkets in the city even offer fully cooked and prepared (though from packaged bags) dog meat'''. Woof! Woof!
A shopping trip to Weifang would most definitely include a kite. For yourself or as a gift, put on a wall or fly it in the wind. Versatile, pretty, unique. Remember to bargain hard with the shop owner.
There are 3 places to buy computer and all types of electronic equipment and gadgets.
# near the Medical University, is Weifang Technology market, looking very old and run down. Take bus #16. # adjacent to Bank Of China on Shengli West St. # at Venice Plaza on Quingnian Rd.
Shopping on the old road is also an interesting time. Antiques, handicrafts, scroll-like wall paintings and many other nick-nacks are located in this tucked away part of town.
Cheap, tailor made suits, dresses, coats or fabric can be found on Tailor Street down the road from the Technological Market. Don't forget to haggle.
The Pullman Hotel is popular with foreigners on their business trips. Located next to Wanda Mall.
The Fairington is the only (thus far) 5-star hotel in Weifang. It is away from the city center - very near the Weifang Amusement park. Associated with the Fairington is 'Building B' a comfortable 3-star hotel across from the main building. Both wings have restaurants and shopping available. Both are often filled with businessmen as the convention center is nearby.
The Dongfeng Hotel is a well established 4-star hotel not too far from the Fairington on Dongfeng Lu. Like the Fairington, the Dongfeng has all the amenities, including its own building B, and is often full of business people.
The YuanFei is a luxurious 4-star in the heart of the financial district across from the Bank of China.
There are plenty of other hotels around the city however, the staff most likely will not speak English. The hotels listed above all have English speaking staff.
Weifang buses much like the city itself are new and therefore quite comfortable when not peak travel times. Buses start around 06:00 ending at about 22:00 in the summer and 21:00 in the winter.
The two main roads are Dongfeng Jie and Shengli Jie which bus #16 and #56 both service. Bus 16 follows a circular loop along both of these two main streets while bus 56 starts at the train station and ends at the other side of the city at Weifang University.
Weifang is in the center of Shandong province in between Jinan to the west and Qingdao to the east.
Weifang is located in the western part of Shandong Peninsula, connected with Qingdao and Yantai in the east, Zibo and Dongying in the west, Linyi and Rizhao in the south, and bordering on Bohai Sea's Laizhou Bay in the north, which has a warm-temperate monsoon type semi-humid continental climate.
Besides kites, Weifang, like many other Chinese cities, is forever under the constructor's crane with new buildings popping up seemingly overnight.
Weifang has a certain characteristic in its exceptionally wide and straight boulevards that make out a chess pattern for many kilometers, resembling some American cities and perhaps also Beijing. However, the boulevards are much too wide for its number of vehicles so they very rarely get too crowded. Traffic jams are most uncommon and, due to the city's flatness, one can sometimes look down a 10-lane boulevard stretching to the horizon without a single car on it.
Foreigners are a rare sight. If you are European-looking prepare to be stared at and given a lot of (friendly) attention.
