Weihai, Shandong Province, China

🇨🇳 Weihai (威海), formerly Weihaiwei, is a prefecture-level city and major seaport in easternmost Shandong province. It borders Yantai to the west and the Yellow Sea to the east, and is the closest Chinese city to South Korea. Weihai is at the centre of the current built-up (metro) area (Huancui district) which will soon include the Wendeng district. Rongcheng is a county-level city within Weihai. A subway is planned with 4 lines and 204.6 km (127.1 mi) route length to link all city districts. The first phase, Line 1 and 2 is planned for 2025. Between 1898 and 1930, the city was part of the British leased territory of Weihaiwei; during this time, the city itself was known as Port Edward and served as the capital of Weihaiwei. A subway is planned with 4 lines and 204.6 km (127.1 mi) route length to link all city districts. The first phase, Line 1 and 2 is planned for 2025.

History Prehistorically, it was inhabited by Dongyi tribes, and it was annexed into China Proper by the state of Qi in 567 B.C.

Before the 14th century, Weihai was a minor fishing settlement. In 1398, during the Ming dynasty, it became a military stronghold (wei) to defend against raids by the wokou. The fortification at Weihai was constructed in 1403, and contained walls almost 2 miles (3.2 km) in circumference.

Weihaiwei was the base for the Beiyang Fleet during the Qing Dynasty. In 1895, the Japanese captured it in the Battle of Weihaiwei, which is regarded as the last major battle of the First Sino-Japanese War. The Japanese then evacuated Weihaiwei on 24 May 1898, after which it was occupied by the British.

The core of Weihai (now Huancui District) was ruled by the British from 1 July 1898 to 1930 under lease agreement with the Chinese empire, with Port Edward (the centre of the original Weihai city, now in Huancui District) serving as the capital. A Royal Navy base was built on Liugong Island.

Weihaiwei became an integral part of China after it was returned to the Republic of China on 1 October 1930, but Liugong Island and its facilities were leased back to the U.K. until 1940.

Weihaiwei was occupied by the Japanese from 1938 to 1945. There was a withdrawal of most British forces and supplies from Liugong Island, and finally a Japanese military landing and occupation of the island in 1940.

The region was formally incorporated into Shandong province on 10 May 1945. In 1949, Weihaiwei City was established, and its name was shortened to Weihai after the Communist revolution.

Since 2003, a replica of the Chinese battleship Dingyuan has been anchored here as a museum ship and memorial for Chinese veterans of the First Sino-Japanese War.

Administrative divisions The prefecture-level city of Weihai administers four county-level divisions, including two districts and two county-level cities: Huancui District, 环翠区, Huáncuì Qū; Wendeng District, 文登区, Wéndēng Qū; Rongcheng City, 荣成市, Róngchéng Shì; Rushan City, 乳山市, Rǔshān Shì; These are further divided into 66 township-level divisions, including 52 towns and 14 subdistricts.

Geography Weihai is located on the north-eastern shore of Shandong; its administrative area includes Chengshantou  (成山头), the easternmost tip of the Shandong Peninsula (Shantung Peninsula). The city is surrounded by sea on three sides; its port is protected by Liugong Island.

Economy Weihai is a commercial port and major fishing centre with some light industries. Due to its close proximity to South Korea, Weihai also has a large Korean business community and receives many Korean tourists. Weihai is also a key production area for peanuts and fruit.

Industrial Zones Weihai Economic & Technological Development Zone is a state-level development zone approved by the State Council on 21 October 1992. The administrative area has an area of 194 km² (75 sq mi), including the programmed area of 36 km² (14 sq mi) and an initial area of 11.88 km² (4.59 sq mi). Its nearest port is Weihai Port, and the airport closest to the zone is Dashuibo Airport.

Weihai Export Processing Zone (EPZ) was set up by the approval of the State Council on 27 April 2000. Weihai EPZ is located in Weihai Economic & Technological Development Zone with programmed area of 2.6 km² (1.0 sq mi). Weihai EPZ belongs to comprehensive export & processing zone. The EPZ is located 30 km (19 mi) from Weihai Airport, 3 km (1.9 mi) to Weihai Railway Station and 4 km (2.5 mi) from Weihai Harbor.

Weihai Torch Hi-Tech Science Park is a state-level development zone approved by the State Council on March 1991. Located in Weihai's north-west zone of culture, education and science, the Park has the total area of 111.9 km² (43.2 sq mi), a coastline of 30.5 km (19.0 mi) and 150,000 residents. It is 3 km (1.9 mi) away from the city centre, 4 km (2.5 mi) away from Weihai Port, 10 km (6.2 mi) away from Weihai Railway Station, 30 km (19 mi) away from Weihai Airport and 80 km (50 mi) away from Yantai Airport.

Transport Weihai Dashuibo Airport serves the city with regular service to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Harbin domestically and the Korean cities of Seoul and Busan, as the fourth busiest airport in Shandong following Qingdao, Jinan and Yantai.

Qingdao–Rongcheng intercity railway offers the high-speed rail services directly to Shanghai Hongqiao, Beijing South, Jinan, Jimo North (Qingdao North soon) and Yantai, with five rail stations, Weihai, Weihai North, Wendeng, Wendeng East and Rongcheng.

As for conventional rail services, The K8262 train depart every day at and 10:18 PM respectively for Jinan, the provincial capital, the K412 goes directly to Beijing at 8:54 PM, and the No. K1068 train leaves at 9:38 AM for Hankou, one of the three railway stations of Wuhan, Hubei. Internally, the city is served by more than 50 bus routes.

Education Campuses of Shandong University, Harbin Institute of Technology, Beijing Jiaotong University, Harbin University of Science and Technology, as well as Shandong Jiaotong University are located in Weihai.

Secondary Schools • Weihai No. 1 High School (威海一中) • Weihai No. 2 High School (威海市第二中学) • Weihai No. 3 High School（威海市第三中学) • Weihai No. 4 High School (威海市第四中学).