The point where the Yellow River enters the Bohai Sea is accessible via the scenic area development at the current estuary, which includes observation platforms, boardwalks across the reed beds, and boat trips on the river and into the coastal zone. The river here carries its characteristic load of loess silt — the "yellow" that gives it its name — and the water runs a deep ochre-brown even when the sea is calm. In spring, the surrounding wetlands turn green with new growth; in autumn they flush gold and rust.
The slow-motion spectacle of land-building is the underlying draw: the delta deposits an estimated one billion tonnes of sediment per year, adding new ground at a measurable rate. Boat trips allow you to approach the frontier where river water meets salt water and new land emerges from the sea — one of the few places on earth where you can watch a continent being made. Admission includes shuttle buses to the main observation points; the full circuit takes about three hours.