The Rizhao Airport Economic Development Zone is a high-end, high-tech industrial cluster and a modern satellite city characterized by “ecology, livability, and innovation,” established by the Rizhao Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government with the full support of the city. Established in late 2017, its planned area extends west of the Shenhai Expressway, east of Shuangshan and Gaozishan in Houcun Town, Donggang District,south of the Futuan River, and north of the Baiyun Mountain Range in Houcun Town. The total planned land area is 107 square kilometers, with 20.6 square kilometers designated for construction in the core zone.
The development zone is 19 kilometers from the city center as the crow flies and 18 kilometers from Rizhao Port. It is adjacent to the Rizhao Comprehensive Transportation Hub, offering well-developed transportation networks and convenient access. Provincial Highway 220 runs east-west through the area, while National Highway 204 runs north-south.Via the Airport Expressway, it connects to the Shenhai Expressway, Rilan Expressway, and Shugang Expressway; via Provincial Highway 220 and National Highway 204, it connects to Provincial Highway 335 and Provincial Highway 222; and via the Rizhao Comprehensive Transportation Hub, it seamlessly integrates with the Qingdao-Yancheng Railway, the Southern Shandong High-Speed Railway, the Rizhao-Weifang Intercity Railway (planned), Rizhao Urban Rail Transit Line 1 (planned), and the urban road network;Within the region, Rizhao Shanzihé Airport operates flights to 21 destinations in 20 cities, including Beijing (Nanyuan and Capital), Shanghai (Pudong), Dalian, and Harbin.