Top Rated Beaches & Seaside Parks in Qingdao

Qingdao is not only famous for its beer but also for its many scenic beaches that line this picturesque coastal city.  The following is a list of the recommended beaches in Qingdao along with seaside parks to enjoy a leisurely stroll, picnic, or play in the surf and sea.

Best Beaches in Qingdao China:

• Laoshan LiuQingHe Beach (流清河)

  
  Laoshan LiuQingHe Beach (流清河), nestled on the coast of Qingdao below the foothills of Laoshan, occupies a large cove along the Qingdao coastal highway to Laoshan Scenic Area. This is the best beach Qingdao has to offer. The area offers spectacular hiking trails and sightseeing views of Qingdao’s picturesque coastline.

  Getting there:
  Bus: #802, #104, #304 <Liu Qing He>.
  Taxi: 75-100 rmb from central Qingdao.

• Qingdao Bathing Beach #2 (第二海水浴场: 二浴海边)

  
  Qingdao Bathing Beach #2, tucked away in beautiful BaDaGuan (八大关), occupies a small cove along the Qingdao Seaside Sightseeing Pathway. This scenic area was popular with political figures such as Chairman Mao and other central government officials. HuaShi Villa (花石楼) and ZhongShan Park (中山公园) are with in walking distance.

  Getting there:
  Bus: #219 <Zheng Yan Guan Lu> or #26, #31, #202, #206, #214, #223, #228, #231, #304, #316, #317, #321, #501, #604, #801 <Wu Sheng Guan>.
  Taxi: 10-15 rmb from central Qingdao.

• Qingdao ShiLaoRen Beach (石老人)

  
  ShiLaoRen (Old Stone Man) Beach is perhaps Qingdao’s most impressive tourist beach. It was named after shape of the prominent rock outcropping located just of the ShirLaoRen peninsula and is said to resemble an old fisherman waiting for his young beautiful daughter to return from beneath the waves. With tables, chairs, tents, ATVs, speed boats, jet skis, showers, and a beautiful new boardwalk as well as continuing re-development for the 2008 Olympic Sailing Regatta, this is an ideal place to spend an afternoon or warm summer evening. If you are into boogie boarding this beach, on occasion, will provide large enough waves to give you a decent ride.

  Getting there:
  Bus: #104, #230, #301, #304, #311, #313, #321, #362 <Jin Jia Ling>.
  Taxi: 20-30 rmb from central Qingdao.

• Qingdao West Coast (Huangdao) Golden Sand Beach (金沙滩)

  
  Golden Sand Beach is located on Qingdao West Coast (Huangdao). As Qingdao West Coast’s largest beach, it offers travelers and beachcombers a golden sandy playground as far as the eye can see. It’s perfect for frisbee, soccer, football, or just relaxing under the sun’s rays; tents and tables are available for rent by the hour. Dozens of kiosks with food, drinks, beach gear, and souvenirs line the seashore. Qingdao Beach Resorts have become abundant since hosting the Sailing Regattas of the 2008 Olympics. Golden Sands Beach is also the main venue of the Qingdao International Beer Festival.

  Getting there:
  Ferry: Qingdao City – Qingdao West Coast (XueJiaDao), 10-12 rmb.
  Bus: #1, #4, #18 <Jin Sha Tan>.
  Taxi: Approximately 8 rmb from Qingdao West Coast XueJiaDao ferry terminal (xuē jiā dǎo lún dù: 薛家岛轮渡).

• Qingdao Bathing Beach #3 (第三海水浴场: 三浴海边)

  
  Qingdao Bathing Beach #3, also called Zhanshan Beach (湛山湾), is 400 meters long and located at the eastern end of Taiping Cape (太平角) in Badaguan (八大关). Available facilities include: restrooms and warm showers (10 rmb) as well as Kiosks that sell cold drinks, snacks, bathing suits, and sand-sculpting kits. Parallel to the beach is TaiPingJiao Yi Lu which has a few quaint restaurants and cafés with ocean-views.

  Getting there:
  Bus: #317 <Hai Liao> or #321, #228, #223, #316, #26, # 225, #801, #31, #604, #202, #206 <Tai Ping Jiao>.
  Taxi: 8-10 rmb from central Qingdao.

• Huangdao Silver Beach (银沙滩)

  
  Silver Beach, located on the southern part of Huangdao’s rustic coastline, is just a few kilometers south of Golden Sand Beach; this stretch of undeveloped sand provides a place to get away from the crowds and enjoy and afternoon with close friends. It is an ideal place to camp under the stars during a warm summer night.

  Getting there:
  Ferry: Qingdao – XueJiaDao, 10-12 rmb.
  Bus: #3 <Yin Sha Tan>.
  Taxi: Approximately 10 rmb from XueJiaDao ferry terminal (xuē jiā dǎo lún dù: 薛家岛轮渡).

• Qingdao Bathing Beach #1 (第一海水浴场: 一浴海边)

  
  Qingdao Bathing Beach #1, packed with equipment rentals and amusements of all kinds, is 800 meters long and draws unbelievable crowds during the summer months. Although surrounded by restaurants and hotels, Zhongshan Park (中山公园), Huiquan Cinemas (汇泉影城), and Small Fish Hill (小鱼山) are all within walking distance.

  Getting there:
  Bus: #6, #15, #26, #31, #202, #206, # 214, #219, #223, #228, #231, #302, #304, #306, #311, #312, #316, #317, #321, #501, #604, #605, #801 <Hai Shui Yu Chang>.
  Taxi: 15－20 rmb from central Qingdao.