Yantai's Kongtong Wonderland, a mythical fantasy-themed island, is set to open this July. [Photo/Dazhong News]

The much-anticipated Kongtong Wonderland in Yantai, East China's Shandong province, is set to open in July. Unlike a typical cultural tourism island, it is positioned as an immersive mythical fantasy-themed destination, spanning over 100,000 square meters.

The project draws inspiration from the legends of the Eight Immortals — a group of beloved Taoist figures — and mythical tales from The Classic of Mountains and Seas, an ancient Chinese text of fantastical geography and creatures, bringing Chinese mythology to life through interactive and immersive experiences.

The island features three major zones: leisure and adventure, a mythical fantasy-themed commercial street, and boutique hotels with immersive fantasy-style designs. Visitors can enjoy outdoor attractions, explore vibrant streets filled with local snacks and photo spots, and stay overnight in hotels themed around ancient Chinese mythology.

One of the island's standout features is its immersive performance system, offering over 300 minutes of indoor and outdoor shows, street parades, and spontaneous encounters with characters such as Zhang Guolao — one of the legendary Eight Immortals — or mythical beasts from ancient Chinese texts.

Kongtong Wonderland serves as a central hub in Yantai's strategy to upgrade coastal tourism, connecting key urban attractions and drawing visitors both at day and night, as well as during both off-seasons and peak seasons.

Visitors will reach the island by boat from major piers, including the Chefoo Bay Plaza Pier. More than 13,000 parking spaces have been prepared around departure points to ensure convenient access.

With its grand opening, Kongtong Wonderland is expected to become a new cultural landmark and a major catalyst for Yantai's marine tourism industry.