Open Travel Guide
Weifang

Shandong · 16 Places · Best April-May

Weifang

Weifang is a prefecture-level city in central Shandong province, China, about 9.4 million people strong across its urban districts and county-level cities, and is widely known as the Kite Capital of the World. It hosts the annual Weifang International Kite Festival each April, is the home of the Yangjiabu woodblock New Year prints, and includes the ancient city of Qingzhou with its Buddhist statuary, Yunmenshan mountain and museum. Shouguang, within its borders, is one of China's best-known vegetable-growing centres.

Capital
Weifang (municipal government seat in Kuiwen District)
Currency
Chinese Yuan
Language
Mandarin Chinese
Time zone
UTC+8 (China Standard Time)
Best time
April-May
Places
16 curated
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About Weifang

Weifang sits in the middle of the Shandong Peninsula between Jinan and Qingdao, roughly 36.7 degrees north, 119.2 degrees east. The old walled county town of Weixian (now Weicheng and Kuiwen districts) is where the kite tradition, the Shihu Garden and the Yangjiabu print village (in Hanting District) are found; the ancient city of Qingzhou, about 55 km west, adds Buddhist sculpture, a first-class museum and hill scenery at Yunmenshan; Shouguang to the north-west is the vegetable-farming heartland, and Zhucheng to the south-east holds a major dinosaur fossil museum. The city is compact enough to see its core in two days and is well connected by high-speed rail to Jinan (about an hour) and Qingdao. April brings the International Kite Festival; the food scene centres on chaotian guo (open-top hot pot), rou huo shao (meat-filled baked buns) and jiya hele noodles.

Capital
Weifang (municipal government seat in Kuiwen District)
Largest city
Weifang
Population
9,386,705 across the whole prefecture (2020 census), of whom about 3.1 million live in the built-up area of four urban districts (Kuiwen, Weicheng, Hanting, Fangzi) and Changle County
Languages
Mandarin Chinese, Weifang dialect (a local Shandong Mandarin variety)
Currency
Chinese Yuan
Time zone
UTC+8 (China Standard Time)

Explore Weifang by topic

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Best places to visit in Weifang

The 16 destinations our editors recommend — from iconic landmarks to under-the-radar finds.

Weifang World Kite Museum

The world's largest specialist kite museum, opened in 1989, with 12 galleries and more than 2,000 kites from China and abroad.

Yangjiabu Folk Art Grand View Garden

A folk-culture village and workshop complex in Hanting District centred on Yangjiabu woodblock New Year prints, kite making and traditional crafts.

Shihu Garden

A compact Qing-dynasty courtyard garden and museum in the old Weicheng district; the Zheng Banqiao Memorial stands inside the grounds.

Zheng Banqiao Memorial

A memorial hall to the painter-poet-calligrapher Zheng Banqiao, who served as magistrate of Weixian in the 1740s and 1750s, inside the Shihu Garden district.

Weifang Binhai International Kite Flying Ground

The seaside flying ground used for the Weifang International Kite Festival competitions, next to the Happy Sea beach area in the Binhai Economic Zone.

Qingzhou Ancient City

The walkable historic quarter of Qingzhou, one of China's oldest cities and one of the Nine Provinces of the ancient Yu Gong text, with Ming and Qing streets, Ouyuan garden and old mosque and temple sites.

Recommended itineraries

Pick a length, follow the route. Each itinerary balances headline sights with breathing room.

5-Day Weifang Explorer

  • Day 1Arrive in Weifang, explore city center
  • Day 2Visit top attractions and museums
  • Day 3Day trip to nearby highlights
  • Day 4Local markets and hidden gems
  • Day 5Final sightseeing, departure

7-Day Classic Weifang

  • Days 1-2Weifang city highlights
  • Days 3-4Regional exploration
  • Days 5-6Cultural immersion and local experiences
  • Day 7Return and departure

14-Day Ultimate Weifang

  • Days 1-3Weifang comprehensive city tour
  • Days 4-6Northern region exploration
  • Days 7-9Eastern highlights
  • Days 10-12Southern attractions
  • Days 13-14Return to Weifang, departure

Where to stay in Weifang

Three tiers, every traveller covered — from cost-conscious to flagship hotels.

Budget ¥200-350 ($30-52)

Hostels, budget hotels, and guesthouses offer affordable stays without sacrificing experience.

Mid-range ¥500-900 ($75-134)

Boutique hotels and well-located accommodations provide comfort and convenience at reasonable prices.

Luxury ¥1,500+ ($224+)

World-class resorts and premium hotels deliver unforgettable experiences.

Pullman Weifang

Kuiwen · ¥500-900 (~$75-$134)

Five-star Accor property of 265 rooms and suites beside Wanda Plaza on Fushou East Street, formerly the Wanda Pullman. About 5 km from Weifang North Railway Station and 12 km from Nanyuan Airport.

Check rates on Booking.com

The Farrington Hotel (Building A)

Kuiwen (Fuhua) · ¥450-800 (~$67-$119)

Long-established five-star hotel (opened 1995, renovated 2020) beside the Fuhua amusement park compound, with 237 rooms and buffet breakfast 6:30-10:00 AM. Listed on booking sites from roughly ¥538 per night.

Check rates on Booking.com

Richmond Grand Hotel

Kuiwen · ¥400-750 (~$60-$112)

Five-star hotel founded in 2006, described as the first hotel in Weifang with European architecture and a courtyard layout.

Check rates on Booking.com

Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Weifang

Weicheng · ¥350-600 (~$52-$90)

Upscale Wyndham hotel about ten minutes from Weifang Airport and close to the Weifang World Kite Museum and Dongyuan Park.

Check rates on Booking.com

Where to eat in Weifang

Cafés, neighbourhood gems, and tasting menus worth the table reservation.

Hanbang Chaotian Pot (韩邦朝天锅)

Weifang Chaotian Pot · ¥56 per person (~$8)

Hanbang Chaotian Pot is a Weifang restaurant known for chaotian guo, a pot of braised pork, offal and hairtail simmered in an open-top pot. Search the Chinese name in Amap or Baidu Maps to navigate, and check hours on Dianping before visiting. Coordinates are approximate; confirm the pin in Amap or Baidu Maps.

Wang's Meat Flatbread (王记肉火烧)

Weifang Snack · ¥13 per person (~$2)

Wang's Meat Flatbread is a Weifang snack shop known for Weifang rou huoshao, a pork-filled griddle pie. Search the Chinese name in Amap or Baidu Maps to navigate, and check hours on Dianping before visiting. Coordinates are approximate; confirm the pin in Amap or Baidu Maps.

City God Temple Wang's Meat Pancakes (城隍庙王记火烧铺)

Weifang Snack · ¥3-10 per pie (~$0.5-$1.5)

City God Temple Wang's Meat Pancakes is a Weifang snack shop known for traditional Old Weixian meat huoshao, sold from about ¥5 each. Search the Chinese name in Amap or Baidu Maps to navigate, and check hours on Dianping before visiting. Coordinates are approximate; confirm the pin in Amap or Baidu Maps.

Ding's Chaotian Pot (丁记朝天锅)

Weifang Chaotian Pot · ¥40-60 per person (~$6-$9)

Ding's Chaotian Pot is a Weifang restaurant known for chaotian guo. Search the Chinese name in Amap or Baidu Maps to navigate, and check hours on Dianping before visiting. Coordinates are approximate; confirm the pin in Amap or Baidu Maps.

Fuyuanju Chaotian Pot (福源居朝天锅)

Weifang Chaotian Pot · ¥22 per person (~$3)

Fuyuanju Chaotian Pot is a Weifang restaurant known for budget chaotian guo plates. Search the Chinese name in Amap or Baidu Maps to navigate, and check hours on Dianping before visiting. Coordinates are approximate; confirm the pin in Amap or Baidu Maps.

Old Weifang Chaotian Pot, Shihuyuan Food Street (老潍县朝天锅)

Weifang Chaotian Pot · ¥50-70 per person (~$7-$10)

Old Weifang Chaotian Pot, Shihuyuan Food Street is a Weifang restaurant known for chaotian guo beside the Shihuyuan garden. Search the Chinese name in Amap or Baidu Maps to navigate, and check hours on Dianping before visiting. Coordinates are approximate; confirm the pin in Amap or Baidu Maps.

Book a food tour in Weifang We may earn a commission from bookings made through this link.

Getting around Weifang

Transportation options in Weifang include local buses, taxis, and rental cars. Check local conditions before planning your travel.

Budget breakdown

Daily spend by tier in CNY (USD at 1 USD = 6.70 CNY), broken out by category.

Category Budget Mid-range Luxury
Accommodation ¥100-180 ($15-27) ¥250-450 ($37-67) ¥700+ ($104+)
Food (per day) ¥50-90 ($7-13) ¥120-220 ($18-33) ¥350-700 ($52-104)
Transportation ¥10-30 ($1.50-4.50) ¥40-100 ($6-15) ¥200-400 ($30-60)
Activities ¥20-80 ($3-12) ¥80-200 ($12-30) ¥250-600 ($37-90)
Daily total ¥200-350 ($30-52) ¥500-900 ($75-134) ¥1,500+ ($224+)

Best time to visit Weifang

Weather through the year in Shandong

0° JAN 3° FEB 9° MAR 15° APR 21° MAY 25° JUN 27° JUL 26° AUG 22° SEP 16° OCT 8° NOV 2° DEC

Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding

Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Shandong.

Weifang has a humid continental climate: cold, dry winters and hot, wet summers, with July averaging about 27 C. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons, and April adds the kite festival at the Binhai kite grounds and World Kite Park.

Festival dates change every year and are announced in March; a smaller autumn Kite Carnival runs from late September to late October. Hotels near the festival venues sell out and raise prices in mid-April.

Essential travel tips

  • Two days covers Weifang city (kite museum, Shihu Garden, Yangjiabu); add a third day for Qingzhou
  • Free museums (Kite Museum, Weifang Museum, Qingzhou Museum) require timed entry or a reservation; bring your passport and reserve on the venue's WeChat mini-program, or pick up a same-day ticket at the desk where allowed
  • Most sites close Mondays; check the day before you go
  • Install Amap (Gaode) or Baidu Maps for navigation, since Google Maps is unreliable in China
  • Book the April festival period hotels at least a month ahead

Hidden gems

Off-the-beaten-path corners most travellers miss.

Fan Gongting Park

A free, low-key Song-era park in Qingzhou that most day-trippers skip in favour of the ancient city

1 Fan Gongting West Road, Qingzhou

Safety information

INFO

Use metered taxis or the Didi app rather than unmarked cars offering rides at Weifang Station

INFO

Download Alipay or WeChat Pay and link an international card before arrival; cash is accepted at most attractions but is increasingly awkward

INFO

Keep valuables in a front pocket at crowded festival grounds and on trains

INFO

Tap water is not potable; use bottled or boiled water

INFO

Emergency numbers are police 110, ambulance 120 and fire 119; a foreign-language operator is not guaranteed, so save a Chinese address for the hotel

Frequently asked questions

What is Weifang famous for?

Weifang is called the Kite Capital of the World. It has hosted the International Kite Festival every April since 1984, and it is also known for Yangjiabu woodblock New Year prints, Shouguang vegetables and the ancient city of Qingzhou.

How many days do I need in Weifang?

Two days cover the kite museum, Shihu Garden and Yangjiabu. Add a third day for Qingzhou, about 20 minutes away by high-speed train.

When is the Weifang Kite Festival?

It is held every April; the 43rd edition opened on 18 April 2026 at World Kite Park, with competitions at the Binhai Yunmen international kite grounds. Exact dates are set each March.

How do I get to Weifang?

The easiest route is high-speed rail from Jinan (about an hour) or Qingdao, arriving at Weifang Station or Weifang North Station. Weifang Nanyuan Airport (WEF) serves domestic flights.

What currency is used and are cards accepted?

The Chinese yuan (CNY). At 1 USD = 6.70 CNY, a meal of chaotian guo is about ¥30-60 ($4.50-9). Alipay and WeChat Pay are the norm; link an international card to either before arriving, and carry some cash as backup.