Members of the "A Date with China – Meet Shandong" international media tour pose for a group photo with freshly harvested oysters at the Sanggou Bay Marine Ranch in Weihai, East China's Shandong province, on June 5, 2024. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Located in the easternmost tip of East China's Shandong Province, Weihai is hugged by the Yellow Sea on three sides, boasting almost 1,000 kilometers of golden coastline laced with serene mountain landscapes.

A group of foreign reporters and social media influencers based in China visited the coastal city from Wednesday to Friday to explore what the rising star in China's tourism market can offer.

Driven by social media and short video platforms, Weihai's tourism industry saw explosive growth last year, with the city of just 2.92 million residents welcoming over 59 million visits from tourists, according to official data.