Wanpingkou is the centerpiece of Rizhao's beach scene: five kilometers of clean sand running along a southeast-facing bay, consistently rated among the best water quality on the northern coast of China. The beach is backed by a scenic area with walking paths and pine trees rather than the dense hotel strips that crowd Qingdao's shoreline, which gives it a more open and relaxed character.
Summer is the obvious season — July and August draw domestic tourists from across Shandong and beyond — but the shoulder months of May, June, and September can be better, with warm enough water and a fraction of the crowds. The beach is largely free to access, though the formal Wanpingkou Seaside Scenic Area charges a small fee for certain sections.