Qingdao, a sub-provincial city in Shandong Province. It was once occupied by Germany and Japan, leaving many historical buildings. There are well-known enterprises such as Haier, Aucma, Hisense, and Tsingtao Beer. It is a popular tourist city in summer.
First, the most worthwhile attractions:
1. Zhanqiao Pier
Zhanqiao Pier is a symbol of the old town. It was built in 1891 and has been expanded many times since then. Now it is 440 meters long and 10 meters wide. The pavilion building at the end is named Huilan Pavilion. When night falls and the lights on the bridge are lit up, it is known as ‘The long rainbow leads far away, and the flying pavilion reflects the waves’. Around Zhanqiao Pier, you can also feed seagulls and experience beachcombing.
Business hours: all day
Duration of play: 1 hour
Ticket price: free
2. May 4th Square (Olympic Sailing Center)
Built to commemorate the May 4th Movement. There is a landmark building on the square – The Wind of May. Surrounded by high-rise buildings, it is a symbol of the new urban area of Qingdao. There will also be a light show at night. It is recommended to come when the weather is warm. Adjacent to May 4th Square is the Olympic Sailing Center. It is the sailing venue for the 29th Beijing Olympic Games in 2008. The surrounding scenery is pleasant. You can also spend money to experience sailing out to sea.
Business hours: all day
Duration of play: 2 hours
Ticket price: free
3. Badaguan
Eight roads named after the eight passes of the Great Wall. After the port was opened, more than 20 villas of different styles from different countries were built. It enjoys the reputation of ‘Exhibition of World Architecture’. Being here is like being in a foreign country. When the weather is clear, taking pictures is very beautiful and it is very suitable for citywalk.
Business hours: all day
Duration of play: 2 hours
Ticket price: free
4. University Road
A must-visit place for literary and artistic youths. Nearby are Yushan Road, Longjiang Road, Huangxian Road, etc. There are places to check in on each road. It is suitable for leisure and taking pictures nearby.
Business hours: all day
Duration of play: 1 hour
Ticket price: free
5. Tsingtao Beer Museum
A museum built on the basis of a century-old factory building. In Hall A, you can see the historical development process of beer. In Hall B, you can visit the fully automated production line. Finally, you can taste fresh beer. The taste is very different from that of beer on the market. It is very worth visiting.
Business hours: 8:30 – 16:30
Duration of play: 2 hours
Ticket price: 50 yuan in off-season, 60 yuan in peak season
6. Taitung Pedestrian Street
Taitung Night Market is known as the largest night market in Shandong Province. The passenger flow is indeed astonishing. Not far away are Yingkou Road Seafood Market and Beer Street. Try to choose a place with many people and a large store to eat seafood. It is recommended to buy seafood at the market by yourself and find a nearby restaurant for processing. When you come to Qingdao, don’t care too much about short weights and shortages.
Business hours: all day
Duration of play: 1 hour
Ticket price: free
7. Qingdao Polar Ocean World
A very treasured ocean park. There are polar animals and various marine animals. There are regular performances of beluga whales and mermaids. Taking pictures in the jellyfish palace and the dreamy undersea tunnel is very beautiful. It is most suitable for taking children. The disadvantage is that the ticket is expensive.
Operating Hours: 8:30-17:30
Duration: 3 hours
Ticket Price: 260 CNY
At Shi Lao Ren Beach, you can see the large rock known as ‘Shi Lao Ren’ to the east from the beach. The coastline here is relatively long, and the sand is quite fine, making it suitable for beach volleyball and other activities. It’s also a great spot to enjoy the sunset.
Operating Hours: All day
Duration: 1 hour
Ticket Price: Free
Signal Hill Park, named after the lighthouse on the hilltop that guides passing ships, offers a panoramic view of red-tiled buildings, green trees, and the blue sea from the top of the tower, overlooking the cityscape of Qingdao.
Operating Hours: Park 6:00-20:30, Observation Tower 8:00-17:00
Duration: 2 hours
Ticket Price: Park Free, Tower 10 CNY
Zhongshan Park is ideal for cherry blossom viewing in April, although it gets very crowded and the blooming period is short. For other times, it’s recommended to take the aerial walkway cable car, which is the same as the one featured in the movie ‘A Little Red Flower’, traveling from Taiping Mountain to Zhan Mountain Temple and back to watch the sunset.
Operating Hours: All day, Cable Car 9:00-18:00
Duration: 1 hour
Ticket Price: Park Free, Cable Car 150 CNY
Laoshan, with an elevation of 1132.7 meters, is known as the ‘First Fairy Mountain by the Sea’. It’s a bit far from the city center, so it’s recommended to allocate a whole day for the visit. The recommended route is the Bashuihe tour, starting the hike at Bashuihe station by taking the scenic vehicle, enjoying the sea-sky view, and then taking the vehicle to Taiqing Palace to visit the Taoist temple where the legendary Laoshan Taoist resides. After the tour, take the vehicle back to the scenic area entrance.
Operating Hours: 6:00-18:00
Duration: 5 hours
Ticket Price: Laoshan 90 CNY, Taiqing Palace 27 CNY
Transportation:
1. It’s recommended to take the high-speed train to Qingdao Station, which is close to Zhan Bridge after exiting the station. Qingdao North Station is farther, but there are dynamic trains and subways to the city center. The airport is in Jiaodong, quite far from the city center, and a taxi ride would cost around 200 CNY. Alternatively, you can take the subway or airport bus to the city center.
2. Self-driving is not recommended as the roads in Qingdao are difficult to navigate and parking is not easy.
3. The most convenient way to travel is by subway, which can take you to almost all popular attractions.
Recommended Itinerary:
Day 1: Zhan Bridge – Signal Hill Park – University Road – Zhongshan Park – Badaguan – Qingdao Beer Museum – Taidong Walking Street
Day 2: Shi Lao Ren Beach – Polar Ocean World – May 4th Square and Olympic Sailing Center
Day 3: One-day tour of Laoshan
