once it gets a little bit warmer places like qinhuangdao will get much nicer (and more crowded)....ive been there once, stayed in the HI and it was a nice weekend trip but not much more.....dalian is a great city and again really beautiful when the weather cooperates...a nice break from the BJ air too....definitely pay for a central hotel there.

i personally love shandong and always find myself going there in summertime for weekend trips....great seafood and lots of beautiful sights....the beaches are OK but busy busy busy....qingdao is great to visit, but look into yantai and weihai as well...a little more off the beaten path but still just as enjoyable...and they both have airports....just for the food alone they both make a good weekend trip