To most people, even the Chinese, Yantai is little more than just a major hub in China for construction, manufacturing and shipping companies. [Photo/VCG]

To most people, even the Chinese, Yantai is little more than just a major hub in China for construction, manufacturing and shipping companies.

But impressions are gradually changing as local authorities have been making efforts to show that this city in East China's Shandong province is not as dull as people make of it.

One measure the authorities have taken to address this issue is hosting exciting events that are particularly popular with the youth. For example, the city had earlier this year hosted the M All Stars Routine Championship street dance competition, which attracted 100 teams and top dancers from around the world, and garnered a staggering three billion views across all media platforms.

Many netizens who watched the competition online posted comments about how they never expected Yantai to be a "cool" place where youth culture is thriving.

The city had earlier this year also hosted a series of events to promote its unique brand of hospitality and friendliness. In one campaign which went viral, taxi drivers and private car owners picked up and dropped off tourists for free at railway and bus stations.

Yantai's global reputation as a wine-growing region in China has also been growing steadily over the years thanks to events like the Yantai International Wine Festival and the many awards its companies have picked up in global competitions.

For example, renowned Yantai-based winemaker Changyu Group had in 2022 walked away with a whopping 15 awards in the Mundus Vini World Wine Competition. The company was also ranked first in the world during the World's Best Selling Wine Brands Blind event in London in 2020.