Published : 2026-08-04
The Chinese animated film All Wishes Come True! (八仙！) is currently showing in Hong Kong cinemas. Its visuals, infused with traditional Oriental aesthetic, have stirred up a widespread longing for the "realm of the immortals".
In fact, Yantai City in Shandong Province is home to two scenic spots closely tied to the legendary tales of the Eight Immortals in Chinese mythology.
Take a ferry to Kongtong Wonderland for immersive shows and character encounters or enjoy a slower stroll through the Penglai Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea Scenic Area. Here, sea views, pavilions and the Eight Immortals Bridge set the scene for a mythical escape.
Kongtong Wonderland: Begin the journey by sea
For a taste of a mythical island in the sea, start at Kongtong Wonderland (崆峒勝境), which opened this July on Kongtong Island, north of downtown Yantai.
The only way there is by ferry. As the city skyline recedes and the boat cuts across the blue water, the journey itself sets the mood for a search for immortals. On the island, pavilions, rock gardens, lush planting and coastal walkways create a tranquil setting that visitors have dubbed an "Eight Immortals' paradise at sea".
Beyond its coastal scenery, Kongtong Wonderland offers all-day immersive live performances. Costumed characters appear throughout the park, staging scenes inspired by the Eight Immortals and Chinese mythology.
There is no fixed schedule: wander through the pavilions and you may encounter Zhang Guolao (張果老), Lü Dongbin (呂洞賓) or mythical beasts from the Classic of Mountains and Seas (《山海經》).
For a slower pace, browse Eight Immortals Street for local snacks, seafood, souvenirs and costume rentals — from simple hanfu to elaborate fantasy robes.
After dark, don't miss the Yaochi Show at Eastward Journey Palace. Inspired by the Eight Immortals legend, the spectacle combines drone formations, light projections and traditional molten-iron fireworks to retell their best-known adventures at sea.
Penglai: A slower Eight Immortals escape
If Kongtong Wonderland is a lively, modern fantasy park, the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea Scenic Area (八仙過海景區) in Penglai (蓬萊) offers a quieter and more timeless escape.
Long associated with the idea of a mythical mountain-island rising from the sea, Penglai is central to the Eight Immortals legend. With its blend of coastal scenery and traditional architecture, this is a place to slow down, wander and soak up the old-world charm.
Built along the coast, the park pairs traditional pavilions and gardens with an uninterrupted sweep of blue sea, creating the spacious, ethereal beauty of a Chinese celestial realm.
Stand on the landmark Eight Immortals Bridge and look out across the waves, and it is easy to see why Penglai was imagined as an island of immortals.
As you wander through the grounds, pavilions, inscriptions and landscaped corners reveal details from the classic Eight Immortals tale.
With All Wishes Come True! opening in Hong Kong on 13 August, why not extend the magic beyond the cinema? Head to Yantai for sea breezes, an island ferry ride and a glimpse of the legendary Penglai paradise.
Travel Information
Kongtong Wonderland
Kongtong Island, Zhifu District, Yantai; ferries depart from Zhifu Bay Square Pier. Open 2.30pm–8.30pm during trial operation. Adult tickets cost about RMB199, including return ferry transfers and entry. Allow half to one day.
Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea Scenic Area
No. 8 Haibin Road, Penglai, Yantai, near Penglai Pavilion. Open 7am–6pm from April to October, and 8am–5pm from November to March. Tickets cost around RMB70–80. Allow half to one day.
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