Asia - Transportation from Beijing to the Yellow Sea

What's the easiest way to get from Beijing to the Yellow Sea? I'll be in Beijing this summer taking classes at a university and on one of the weekends one of my friends and I were considering going down there.

Most importantly, is there anything worth seeing there that would be worth the trip?

What's the easiest way to get from Beijing to the Yellow Sea? I'll be in Beijing this summer taking classes at a university and on one of the weekends one of my friends and I were considering going down there.

Most importantly, is there anything worth seeing there that would be worth the trip?

Dalian and Qingdao are the two most popular destinations on the Yellow Sea and are both quite nice. Air fares to/from each range from around y300-y700 (+50). There are also some islands in between that are accessible from each.

If you're on a budget, I would recommend taking the train there and flying back. (The train isn't significantly cheaper than flying at around Y225 for a hard sleeper, but does proxy as a hotel.)

I prefer Dalian to Qingdao, but there is no clear consensus on this issue. (Dalian is about 1 hour closer by train, if that matters.)

Alternatively, you might also check out Shanhaiguan (where the Great Wall meets the sea) and Beidaihe, which are due east of Beijing. I've never been to these places, and only know a few people that have. My edition of the LP isn't overly enthusiastic about them. However, this area might be worth considering if Dalian/Qingdao seem like too much of an ordeal; the fastest train between Beijing and Beidaihe only takes 2h25m and I would guess that hotels there are pretty cheap as well.