A list of recommended beaches & seaside parks in Qingdao to put on your tourist itinerary or chill at if you’re a local
Things to see and do in and around China’s Sailing City: Old Town, Tsingtao Beer Museum, Pichaiyuan, Badaguan …
Qingdao May Fourth Square is located at 35 DongHai West Road in Shinan District just south of the municipal government building. This coastal park boarders Fushan Bay.
In 2008, the 29th Olympic Games as well as the 13th Paralympic Games were held at the Qingdao Olympic Sailing Centre & Marina in Fushan Bay adjoining May Fourth Square.
Qingdao is well known for sailing and international beer festivals, but few know some of China’s best green tea is cultivated right here in Laoshan District, Qingdao, Shandong Province.
Mount Lao (Láo Shān 崂山) Scenic Area: As one of Qingdao’s top attractions and one of the cradle of Taoism in China, attracting pilgrims and tourists from home and abroad, Laoshan is accessible via three land routes (eastern, southern, and central).
Jufeng Peak (崂山巨峰) located in Mount Lao (Laoshan 崂山) scenic area is the highest coastal mountain range in China’s 18,000 kilometers of seashore. Mount Lao, along with Wudang Mountain, is one of the earliest cradles of Taoism in China. In 140 BC, during the Han period, Lianfu Zhang built the Mount Lao Taoist temple.
Mt. Lao Liuqing River Scenic Area is located on the southern boarder of Laoshan Scenic Area facing the Liuqing River Bay. Popular attractions include Baoyu Dao (Abalone) Island 崂山鲍鱼岛 which is a local breeding ground for abalone – one of Shandong regions seafood delicacies.
In 2007 PiChai Yuan (Firewood Court), located in Qingdao Old Town on Zhongshan Road, was restored to reflect its historical relevance in Qingdao’s cultural history. Other popular destinations include: SiFang Lu, ZheJiang Lu, YiShui Lu, GuangXi Lu, Taiping Lu, etc.
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ZhongShan Park – Qingdao
Qingdao ZhongShan Park (青岛中山公园) has several annual events which include the Cherry Blossom and Lantern Festivals. The Qingdao Zoo as well as the cable cars that ascend to TaiPingShan are located in the northern end of the park.
Mount Lao (Láo Shān 崂山) Jufeng Scenic Area covers 7.4 square kilometers and is the apex of the LaoShan mountain range. Must See Attractions include: Jufeng Peak, BaGua Gate, Shang ShiBaPan, WuZhi Peak, LingQi Mountain.
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Life in Badaguan
Life in Badaguan: historic architecture, beautiful beaches, awesome scenery, fresh seafood and beer – named after 8 famous passes (trade routes) used throughout China’s historical past
Qingdao’s most beautiful and secluded bathing beach was once a favorite of Chairman Mao along with local provincial and municipal Party secretaries
Qingdao Hill Forts Park War Museum Qingdao War Museum: Japanese, German, and Chinese guns, parchments, documents, testimonials, etc.
Built in 1903 at a cost of 2.5 million tears of silver and used by Mao Zedong in 1958. The Governor’s Mansion has thirty rooms each with individual fireplaces.
ZhanQiao Pier (栈桥) or loading pier is located at the southern end of ZhongShan Road in Qingdao (TsingTao) Old Town. This structure was built by the Germans in 1891 and expanded in 1931 and 1985 to include the iconic Huilan Pavilion which is the centerpiece of the logo found on China’s international Tsingtao Beer.
Ever wished the Olympic Sailing Center had ducks? Now at least there is one – the Adventure Duck! The Adventure Duck has been in test operation for a while, but starting from June 2009 it should be in regular service inside the Olympic Sailing Center from 7am in the morning to around 6pm. The Duck…
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Qingdao ShiLaoRen Beach
Named after a rock outcropping that looks like an old man waiting for his beautiful young daughter to return home from the sea
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Laoshan LiuQingHe Beach
Located at the base of the Laoshan mountain range, this is one of the best beaches Qingdao has to offer when it comes to scenic views!
Once a stretch of undeveloped rustic coastline, it’s perhaps one of Qingdao West Coast’s last places to find open stretches of beach.
Also called Zhanqiao Bathing Beach, this tourist trap is located in Qingdao’s old town near the Shinan District Train Station and Zhanqiao Pier.
Bathing Beach No. 3 offers a unique mix of beach and green grass lined pathways. A nice place to have a picnic while overlooking the sand and sea.
Qingdao’s premier bathing beach is 800 meters long and packed with amusements and rentals of all kinds.
Huangdao Golden Sands Beach is the Qingdao International Beer Festivals’s main venue. The Beach offers visitors lots of room to play.
The Qingdao Beer Festival (青岛国际啤酒节) is an annual event that kicks off in the middle of August and lasts for little more than two weeks. It usually starts off with a star studded grand opening concert, carnival procession, and opening ceremony.
Tsingtao beer’s iconic structure Zhan Qiao Pier is closed this summer for structural repairs and storm reinforcement. The last few typhoons took its toll on one of Qingdao’s most popular tourist attractions causing its closure until the end of 2013.
St. Michael’s Cathedral, constructed by the Divine Word Missionaries (abbreviated “SVD,” from their Latin name: Societas Verbi Divini), is located in Qingdao (TsingTao) Old Town at 15 ZheJiang Road. The Catholic Protestant Church was completed in 1934.
Qingdao’s first Beach Hotel, located across from famous Bathing Beach Number One, was formally called Prinz Heinrich Hotel. Constructed in 1907 and sometimes referred to as New World Hotel, it was the sailing city’s premier beach resort in the early 1900s.
The German Gouverneurspalast or Governor’s Palace, located in Qingdao (TsingTao) Old Town, began construction in 1904 and was completed in January 1906. Also called Jiaozhou Governor’s Hall it was designed German architect Mahlke and constructed by F.H. Schmidt Company.
The Christian Protestant (Lutheran) Church, perched on top of a hill looking south towards Qingdao Bay, is kitty-corner from the old American Consulate and German Naval Hospital. The church is located at 15 JiangSu Road across from 1 YiShui Road in Qingdao (TsingTao) Old Town.
Seaman’s Club or German Navy Club: located at 17 HuBei Road began construction in 1901 and was completed in 1902. It was later used as the Japanese Club during their occupation until the end of WWII in1945 when the U.S. Troops were stationed in Qingdao (Tsingtao).
The former headquarters of the Shandong Railway & Mining Company is located in the No. 14 Guangxi Road courtyard (广西路14号院内) on the corner of Taiping and JiangSu Road in Qingdao (TsingTao) Old Town. It began construction in 1899 and was completed in 1902.
Zhong Shan Road in 1867 – 2013. At that time TsingTau was an early global trading post for HAPAG a German shipping company that spanned the whole world with the company slogan of “Mein Feld ist die Welt!“ which means “My Field is the World.”
The German School for Boys, located in Qingdao (TsingTau) Old Town at 9 JiangSu Road was designed by Bernartz and began construction by the Picorro Company from China in 1900. It was completed in 1901 and is currently the JiangSu Road Primary School.
Badaguan Scenic Area is one of Qingdao’s top attractions unlike anywhere else in Shandong Province or even mainland China. Badaguan’s picturesque autumn colors and old world villas provide
The Prinz Heinrich Street Hairdresser is located in Qingdao Old Town on the corner of GuangXi and AnHui Roads, just across the street from the Old JiaoZhou Post Office.
The site of the former Imperial Court of Kiaochow is located in Old Town on the corner of DeXian and YiShui Roads, kitty-corner to the Qingdao People’s Congress Standing Committee Government Building.
St. Paul’s Church is located in Qingdao Old Town on the corner of JiaoDong and GuanXiang 2nd Road, just down the hill from GuanXiangShan park and across the street from the Municipal Hospital. Construction of St. Paul’s Church was completed in 1941.
The site of the former Divine Word Mission Hall – Societas Verbi Divini (SVD), located in Qingdao Old Town on the corner of QuFu and ZheJiang Roads, is a religious missionary congregation in the Latin Church.
12 JiangSu Road, Qingdao Old Town: The second residence of the adjutant to the Commander of the German Navy was completed in 1904 and eventually served as the Headquarters of the Germany Navy Battalion.
The former Qingdao Railway Station Hotel, completed in 1910, is located in Old Town on LanShan Road situated just 50 meters east of the ShiNan District Train Station and across the bay from Shandong’s primer Economic and Technological Development Zone.
The Christian Church, designed by Curt Rothkegel of Germany and completed in 1910, is located on the corner of JiangSu and YiShui Roads in Qingdao.
Prinz Heinrich Hotel, located in Qingdao Old Town and named after German Emperor William II’s brother Prince Henry, was designed by Curt Rothkegel.
Qingdao’s Beer Goddess Sculpture has moved from International Beer City to Century Square (Tsingtao Beer Passion Square) in preparation for.
ZhongShan Park is one of Qingdao’s premier spots to enjoy the simple pleasures of life! It is a photographer’s playground.
The former Marquis Courtyard Hotel is located in Qingdao Old Town at 37 GuangXi Road. It was constructed in 1906 of red brick and Laoshan Granite.
Qingdao’s “China Red Double Decker” sightseeing bus is the way to go if you want to hit the most popular attractions in Qingdao City and its suburbs.
The former site of the Bismarck Barracks, located in Qingdao Old Town at 5 HongDao Road, is west of QingdaoShan Park and just a short 10 minute walk.
The former site of the Japanese Stock Exchange, located in Qingdao Old Town at 22 GuanTao Road, is north of ZhongShan Road.
The former site of the German Police Headquarters, located at 29 HeBei Road in Qingdao Old Town, is located just a short 10 minute walk from the train station.
Located in Qingdao Old Town, The Kiaochow Imperial Court Prison for Europeans was Qingdao’s first Public Security Bureau Detention House.
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YMCA – Qingdao Old Town
The former site of the Qingdao YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association), built between 1899 and 1914 during the German Occupation.
The Red Swastika Society of Qingdao (世界红卍字会) was a voluntary association founded in 1922 by Qian Nengxun (錢能訓), Du Bingyin (杜秉寅), etc.
The former site of the Japanese Middle School, built in 1921, is located on Yushan Road inside the Ocean University of China, Qingdao campus.
This majestic villa constructed in 1907 and located on YiShui Road in Qingdao Old Town was the former residence of Diederich.
This Qingdao Old Town villa was built in 1899 and served as the headquarters of the Second German Navy Battalion as well as the officers’ living quarters.
The former American Consulate in Qingdao’s Old Town was designed by Schmidt of Germany and built in 1912 as a private residence.
Qingdao Jiayuguan Road, lined with small leafed maples and several historical buildings of architectural significance, is named after the Jiayuguan Pass located in Gansu Province
Qingdao YiShui Road has a rich international history and is perhaps the best place to start your sightseeing journey through Qingdao’s Old Town.
The Old Town German Military Hospital began construction in 1898 and was completed in 1904 along with the Tsingtao Beer Factory, now museum.
Qingdao’s Old Town is scattered with historical attractions and hidden gems like the old Fire Watchtower located at the top of GuanXiang 1st Road.
Qingdao Old Town – AnHui Road: Site of the old Jiao Ao Post Office and now the Qingdao Postal and Telecommunications Museum.
Qingdao Ice World, inside Laoshan Stoneman Sightseeing Garden, offers a winter wonderland during hot summer days.
The Qingdao Double Decker Sightseeing Bus “China Red” is the ideal way to see Qingdao’s natural beauty and historical attractions.
Qingdao’s Old town offers both domestic and international tourists a glimpse into the sailing city’s tumultuous history.
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Qingdao Open Air Markets
Qingdao’s open air markets provide the freshest local produce and seafood. Get a taste of what makes the sailing city a tourist destination.
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Birds of Qingdao
Dusk and dawn is generally the best time for birding in Qingdao. Recently spotted birds include: Spotted Dove (Streptopelia Chinensis).
The Qingdao King Street Underground Shopping Complex is an elegant masterpiece with a classical European style atmosphere.
Qingdao’s beaches (#1, #3, #6) have been hit hard by the latest green tide. Things are expected to get worse over the next few days.
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Tsingtao Beer Museum
The Tsingtao Museum and Beer Factory (founded in 1903) is “must see” attraction that should not be missed. The tour is broken up into three parts.
The Qingdao Adventure Duck departs from gate #1 (the gate facing May 4 Square). Tickets cost 120 RMB per person and there’s no charge.
Qingdao International Marina: On July 13th, 2001, China won the bid to host the 2008 Olympic Games. As such, Qingdao hosted the 2008 Olympic Sailing Regattas.
TianHou Temple: Predates Qingdao City itself and located in old town near Zhan Qiao Pier. MaZu, the Chinese Goddess of the sea is known to protect passing ships.
HuaShi Villa (Huashi Lou): Which means colorful rock building, is a 5 story structure made of granite and marble with a large turret at the top.
Badaguan (Eight Passes): famous for its tree lined streets, gardens, & European architecture, is located between bathing beach #2 and Taiping.
Qingdao History: The Underground Command Post is all that remains of vast underground fortifications which were constructed in 1899.
The Assignation of two German missionaries allows Kaiser Wilhelm II to force the Qing Government to lease Qingdao to Germany in 1898.
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Qingdao Culture Street
Qingdao now has loads of themed streets ( Wedding and Photography, Commercial, Beer, Scientific and Technology, Red Wine, and more).
Some of Qingdao’s attractions have promotional rates through spring festival this year. This is your chance to get out and see some.
In 2010 Qingdao Polar Ocean world will have new exhibits including 5 Artic Wolves from the Czech Republic and will only cost 90元 for both.