Changyu Wine Museum -- Numerous Bygones

The open Square is shrouded with peace and tranquility, thanks to profound historical deposits. The old and nostalgic gate, classic and elegant screen wall, former underground vault, and century old barrels, all combined to diffuse the fragrance of bygones, making visitors dream back in time and space.

Shaded by two huge and lush plane-trees, The old arch gate is facing south, a unique mingling of East-West style. The Europian stack-pillar gate supports six overwhelming Chinese characters overhead -- Changyu Wine Company. It is said to be written by Minister of Revenue and grand minister of state Weng Tonghe, who was also the teacher of Emperor Guangxu of Qing Dynasty. Immediately inside the gate and facing it, sits a Qing style screen-wall, with a pipe-tile top. The double-unicorn relief on the screen-wall is impressively vivid, signifying good-luck and harmony. On the back of the screen-wall, there inscribed "Dedicated to Changyu", condensing the century old history of Changyu in a concise, rich, and grand prose of 586 characters.

Several oak barrels are standing on the east and west sides of the Square. A close look would reveal the rusty and loosened straps, the cracked body for want of use, all witnesses to a century of changes. A whiff of ancient flavor from them would fill one's heart with a nameless sentiment. They have done their duty for wine, and their old age becomes a medium for us to feel history.

At the center of the Square is a group sculpture of Dionysus up-holding the emblem of the International Wine City. For the outstanding contributions Changyu has made to the world wine industry, Yantai was thus named in 1987 by the International Office of Vine and Wine, making it the only Chinese and even Asian city with this honor.