Travel Guide

Mount Laoshan Scenic Area, located in Qingdao City, Shandong Province, is a famous coastal scenic spot in China and a national 5A-level tourist attraction. It is renowned for its majestic, magnificent, unique, and beautiful natural scenery, as well as its long-standing Taoist culture, earning it the reputation of 'First Mountain on the Sea'. Within the scenic area, mountains and sea are interconnected, with strange peaks and unusual rocks, ancient trees and famous woods, and flowing springs and flying waterfalls, collectively forming a unique mountain-sea landscape.

The Qingdao Beer Museum was invested in and built by Qingdao Beer Co., Ltd., and is the first beer-themed museum in China. It is located at No. 56 Dengzhou Road, the century-old factory of Qingdao Beer, and is one of Qingdao's iconic tourist attractions. The museum integrates a century of historical culture, production processes, multi-functional entertainment areas, and shopping and dining services, providing visitors with a comprehensive platform to understand Qingdao beer culture.

Zhanqiao Pier is located on the coast of Shinan District, Qingdao City. First built in 1891, it is Qingdao's earliest pier and one of its symbols. The pier is 440 meters long, with the octagonal 'Huilange Pavilion' at its end, an iconic building for Tsingtao Beer. The area around Zhanqiao Pier boasts beautiful scenery, where visitors can enjoy the charming views of Qingdao Bay and the German architectural complex. At night, the lights are dazzling, making it a must-visit destination for tourists to experience Qingdao's coastal charm.

Qingdao Golden Sand Beach is located on the coast of the Yellow Sea and is named for its golden yellow sand. It is one of China's best quality beaches. The beach is crescent-shaped, with a total length of over 3500 meters and a width of over 300 meters. The water is clear and the beach is flat, with sand as fine as powder. It is a famous coastal tourist resort in Qingdao. Here, you can not only enjoy the sun and sand but also participate in various water entertainment activities.

May Fourth Square is a large public square in Qingdao's central business district, covering an area of 10 hectares. It is located between the new municipal government building and Fushan Bay, and consists of the City Hall Square, Central Square, and Seaside Park. The square is named after the May Fourth Movement, a nationwide protest that erupted in Qingdao, and is most famous for its giant 'Wind of May' sculpture by the sea. The square is a popular tourist destination, bordered by the municipal government building to the north, the sea to the south, and surrounded by high-rise buildings on its east and west sides. The 'Wind of May' sculpture is 30 meters high, 27 meters in diameter, and weighs over 500 tons, making it China's largest 'steel' urban sculpture. Its Chinese red color and spiraling wind shape embody the patriotic spirit and national strength of the May Fourth Movement against imperialism and feudalism.

The Badaguan Scenic Area is located between Huiquan Cape and Taiping Cape in Qingdao. It is named after its eight main roads and boasts numerous Western-style buildings of varying architectural styles, earning it the reputation of a 'World Architectural Expo'. The area features beautiful surroundings and lush vegetation, with scenery that changes with each season. It is a famous resort and wedding photography base in Qingdao. Notable attractions within the area include Princess Building and Huashi Building.

Qingdao Underwater World is China's earliest public aquarium, located in Qingdao City, Shandong Province. It was initiated by educator Cai Yuanpei in 1930 and first opened to the public on May 8, 1932. As of 2013, the aquarium consists of four main exhibition halls connected by tunnels, with a total exhibition area of nearly 10,000 square meters. Qingdao Underwater World has been listed as a key cultural relic protection unit in Shandong Province (No. 3-267) since 2006. It is situated on the shore of Huiquan Bay in the Yellow Sea, adjacent to the 'First Bathing Beach' in Qingdao's Shinan District. The aquarium's opening hours are from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, and it includes the main aquarium, marine animal performance hall, freshwater animal museum, and marine life specimen hall.

The Huashi Building is located at No. 18 Huanghai Road, Qingdao City, Shandong Province. It is a five-story stone villa built in 1932, blending Greek, Gothic, and Roman architectural styles. Constructed from marble and stone, it features a large corner tower and multi-colored exterior walls, earning it the local nickname 'Colorful Rock Building'. The Huashi Building is situated within the Badaguan Scenic Area, making it one of Qingdao's famous attractions and a popular spot for wedding photography. It is said that Chiang Kai-shek once resided here, and a secret passage leading to the sea is still preserved within the building.

Qingdao Municipal Museum is a national first-class museum, a comprehensive museum integrating history, art, and natural specimens. It houses various collections including ceramics, bronzes, calligraphy and painting, jades, coins, and folk artifacts.

Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center·Olympic Sailing Marine Culture Tourism Resort, abbreviated as Olympic Sailing Center, is located in Qingdao City, China, and was the venue for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Sailing Regatta. It is not only a world-class sailing event center but also a comprehensive tourist resort integrating sightseeing, leisure and entertainment, and marine culture experience. Here, it boasts magnificent coastal scenery, modern sailing marinas, the Olympic Torch, Lover's Dam, and other iconic attractions, and offers a variety of marine entertainment activities, such as sailing experiences, yacht tours, etc. The Olympic Sailing Center attracts tourists from all over the world with its unique marine charm and Olympic cultural heritage.

China Sculpture Institute · Qingdao Sculpture Park is located at No. 66 Donghai East Road, Qingdao. It is a comprehensive park integrating sculpture art, natural scenery, and leisure entertainment. The park gathers works by numerous excellent sculptors from home and abroad, blending with the coastal scenery to showcase unique artistic charm. It is not only a paradise for art lovers but also an excellent place for citizens and tourists to relax, stroll, and enjoy the sea views and sounds of waves. The park is equipped with facilities such as a sea-view beach, parking lot, and public restrooms, providing convenience for visitors.

Lao She's Former Residence is located at No. 12 Huangxian Road, Shinan District, Qingdao City. It is the former residence of the famous modern Chinese writer Mr. Lao She in Qingdao. Mr. Lao She lived here from 1934 to 1937 and created important works such as "Rickshaw Boy" and "Cat Country". The residence is an old building with strong Qingdao characteristics, and it is now open to the public, serving as an important place to commemorate Mr. Lao She, showcase his life and works, and is also one of Qingdao's cultural landmarks.

Xiaoyushan Park is the first hill park in Qingdao City characterized by a classical garden style. It is located on the northeast side of Laiyang Road, Qingdao City, with an elevation of 60 meters and covering an area of 2.5 hectares. From the hill, you can overlook famous attractions such as Zhanqiao Pier, Xiao Qingdao Isle, Lu Xun Park, the bathing beach, and Badaguan Scenic Area. The park features buildings like Lan Chao Pavilion, Guan Chao Pavilion, and Bibo Pavilion, making it one of the best places to enjoy the coastal scenery of Qingdao.

Qingdao Shilaoren Beach is a famous beach in Qingdao, located at No. 287 Haikou Road. It is renowned for its unique sea stack, the 'Stone Old Man', and boasts a wide sandy beach and clear waters, making it an excellent destination for summer leisure and vacation. The beach area has complete facilities and convenient transportation, attracting a large number of tourists for swimming, beach entertainment, and watching sunrises and sunsets.

St. Michael's Cathedral of the Catholic Diocese of Qingdao, also known as Qingdao Catholic Church, is the cathedral of the Catholic Diocese of Qingdao. The church primarily features Gothic and Romanesque architectural styles, designed by German architect Arthur B. Lohr. Construction began in 1932 and was completed in 1934. It is one of Qingdao's famous historical buildings and tourist attractions, and also one of the largest Gothic buildings in China. The interior of the church is exquisitely decorated, featuring a high dome and stained-glass windows, creating an overall solemn and majestic atmosphere. Mass is held every Sunday, attracting numerous worshippers and tourists.

Qingdao Zhongshan Park is the largest comprehensive park in Qingdao City, Shandong Province, China. It was founded in 1901 and was originally named 'German Occupied Park'. The park boasts lush vegetation and beautiful scenery, with its cherry blossoms being the most famous, attracting a large number of tourists every spring. The park also features facilities such as an amusement park and a cable car, making it a great place for citizens to relax and entertain themselves.

Qingdao No. 1 Bathing Beach is located in Shinan District, Qingdao City, Shandong Province, China. It is one of Qingdao's most famous and largest sandy beaches, known for its beautiful scenery, gentle sands, and clear waters. With excellent facilities, it is an ideal place for summer swimming, sunbathing, and water activities.

Qinyu Road is a street located in Shinan District, Qingdao City, close to the coastline, offering beautiful seaside views. It is part of the Qingdao Coastal Greenway, and along the way, visitors can enjoy attractions such as Xiao Qingdao and Lu Xun Park, making it an excellent spot for walks and sightseeing. There are also cafes and guesthouses on Qinyu Road, providing places for tourists to relax and unwind.

Pichaiyuan is a famous century-old food street in Qingdao, gathering a variety of specialty foods such as seafood, snacks, and BBQ. It preserves the unique architectural style of Qingdao's 'Liyuan' (courtyard houses), making it an excellent place to experience old Qingdao folk customs and taste authentic local snacks. At night, Pichaiyuan is even more brightly lit and bustling with activity.

Qingdao Second Bathing Beach, also known as "Zhonghai Beach", is located in Shinan District, Qingdao City, within the Badaguan Scenic Area. The sand here is fine, the slope is gentle, and the water is clear, making it a beautiful seaside bathing beach within Qingdao city. The beach is surrounded by mountains on three sides and faces the sea on one side, offering a quiet environment and beautiful scenery. It is a popular destination for summer retreats and and swimming.

The Qingdao Post and Telecommunications Museum is located at No. 5 Anhui Road, Shinan District, Qingdao City. It is a modern professional museum integrating postal and telecommunications historical and cultural display, popular science education, business services, and cultural tourism. The museum building itself is an old German-style building, built in 1901, which was once the former site of the Jiaozhou Imperial Post Office and is also Qingdao's oldest post and telecommunications building. The museum houses a large number of precious postal and telecommunications historical relics, showcasing the development history of Qingdao's post and telecommunications industry. The internal exhibition areas of the museum are divided into multiple themes, including the Communication History Exhibition Hall, Poster Theme Post Office, Sky Garden, etc., making it a great place to learn about Qingdao's post and telecommunications history and culture.

Qingdao Christian Church, also known as Jiangsu Road Christian Church, is a Protestant church located in Shinan District, Qingdao City, Shandong Province, China. The church's design began in 1907, construction started in 1908, and it was completed in 1910. It is one of the important buildings left by Germany during its colonial period in Qingdao. The church has a building area of 1297.51 square meters and can accommodate approximately 1400 people. In 1992, it was designated as a provincial-level cultural heritage site by the Shandong Provincial Government. In 2006, it was listed as part of the 'Qingdao German Architectural Complex,' a national key cultural heritage site.

The Jiaoji Railway Qingdao Museum is located at No. 2 Tai'an Road, Qingdao, on the first basement level of Qingdao Railway Station, built on the former site of the waiting room of the original Jiaoji Railway Qingdao Station. The museum is a railway-themed museum integrating collection, exhibition, and research, showcasing the century-long history of the Jiaoji Railway and its impact on Qingdao's urban development with rich historical materials and physical objects. The museum features multiple exhibition halls, including historical evolution, railway construction process, important events, station building changes, locomotives and rolling stock, and railway culture, serving as an important window to understand the early development of Chinese railways and the history of Qingdao.

Lu Xun Park is located in Shinan District, Qingdao City, Shandong Province, and is a scenic park. The park is named after the famous Chinese writer Mr. Lu Xun, and features beautiful surroundings and pleasant sea views, making it an important leisure and tourist attraction in Qingdao city.

Qingdao Tianhou Palace is an ancient Mazu temple and an important folk museum in Qingdao. Built during the Ming Dynasty, it enshrines Mazu, the goddess of the sea, and is one of the oldest existing temple buildings in Qingdao, carrying rich marine folk culture and historical heritage.

The Qingdao German Prison Site Museum, located at No. 23 Changzhou Road, Qingdao City, Shandong Province, China, is a famous historical and cultural attraction in Qingdao. This prison was built in 1900 by German colonialists and served as a symbol of German colonial rule in China. The museum preserves the original architectural structure and historical relics, and through rich exhibition materials, it shows visitors the history of Qingdao during the German occupation, as well as the prison's penal system and the living conditions of the prisoners. It is an important place for understanding Qingdao's modern history and for cautionary education.

Kang Youwei's Former Residence Memorial Hall is located at No. 5 Fushan Zhilu, Shinan District, Qingdao City. It is the former residence in Qingdao of Kang Youwei, a representative figure of the late Qing Dynasty reformists. This former residence is a European-style building with high historical and artistic value. The memorial hall displays Kang Youwei's life story, manuscripts, relics, etc., showcasing his eventful life and his contributions to China's modern social transformation. The hall has been rated as an AAA-level scenic spot.

The Qingdao International Conference Center is located in the Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center. It features modern conference facilities and beautiful coastal scenery, making it an ideal venue for various international conferences, business events, and cultural exchanges.

The PLA Navy Museum is the only military museum in China that comprehensively reflects the development history of the Chinese Navy. It houses a large number of precious cultural relics, models, and historical materials, showcasing the glorious journey of the Chinese Navy from its inception to its current strength. The museum features multiple exhibition areas, including the Naval Vessel History Exhibition and the Naval Weaponry and Equipment Exhibition, serving as an important base for understanding the Chinese Navy and conducting national defense education.

Qingdao University Road is a street rich in history and culture in Shinan District, Qingdao, known for its unique red walls, green trees, and old buildings. It gathers numerous artistic shops, cafes, and galleries, making it a popular spot for tourists to experience Qingdao's urban charm and take photos. Academic institutions like Ocean University of China line both sides of the road, adding a strong academic atmosphere.

Located at No. 37 Yushan Road, Shinan District, Qingdao City, Qingdao Art Museum is a comprehensive modern art museum integrating collection, research, display, exhibition, education, and exchange. Its architecture itself holds high artistic value, composed of German-style buildings with red tiles and green trees, creating a beautiful environment. It is one of Qingdao's important cultural and artistic landmarks. The museum frequently hosts various domestic and international art exhibitions, providing citizens and tourists with a rich space for art appreciation. The predecessor of Qingdao Art Museum was Qingdao Municipal Art Museum, established in 1995 and officially opened to the public in 1999. It currently houses over a thousand works, covering various art forms such as traditional Chinese painting, oil painting, printmaking, and sculpture. Qingdao Art Museum plays an important role in promoting the development of Qingdao's cultural and artistic undertakings and facilitating international cultural exchanges.

The Qingdao Urban Planning Exhibition Center (also known as Qingdao Planning Exhibition Hall) is an important window for comprehensively showcasing Qingdao's urban development history, planning and construction achievements, and future development blueprint. Through various forms such as graphics, sand tables, and multimedia, the exhibition center vividly presents Qingdao's urban characteristics, historical culture, economic and social development, and ecological civilization construction to visitors.

Signal Hill Park is located in the center of Qingdao, with an altitude of 98 meters, and is one of Qingdao's famous attractions. The park boasts lush vegetation and pleasant scenery. From the summit, visitors can overlook the old city of Qingdao, Zhanqiao Pier, Xiao Qingdao Island, bathing beaches, and the distant Yellow Sea, making it an excellent spot to admire Qingdao's red tiles, green trees, blue sea, and sky. The park features the iconic red Mushroom Building (revolving observation tower), as well as unique landscapes like Wulongtan (Five Dragon Pond), Lianxin Sky Bridge, and Fenghuotai (Beacon Tower), blending natural beauty with historical culture.

Qingdao Xiaoyushan Cultural Celebrity Block is located at the foot of Xiaoyushan Hill, a street full of historical charm and cultural atmosphere. It gathers the former residences of many modern and contemporary Chinese cultural celebrities, such as Kang Youwei's former residence, showcasing Qingdao's profound heritage as a cultural city. Strolling along the street, you can admire unique architectural styles, feel the life trajectories of famous scholars and gentlemen, making it an ideal place to understand Qingdao's history and culture and experience the city's charm.

Yushan Road is a street in Shinan District, Qingdao City, attracting tourists with its unique historical charm and scenic views along the way. Many old buildings are preserved here, making it a great place to experience the charm of Qingdao's old town.

Xiaoqingdao Park is located within Qingdao Bay, renowned for its unique geographical location and beautiful natural scenery. The island is shaded by green trees, with flowers in full bloom, and features an iconic white lighthouse, which is one of Qingdao's symbols. Visitors can stroll on the island, enjoy the sea view, feel the sea breeze, and gaze at the cityscape of Qingdao.

Seaweed Jelly is a specialty snack originating from China's coastal regions. It is made primarily from fresh or dried seaweed, undergoing steps such as washing, boiling, filtering, and cooling to solidify. Its texture is cool and smooth, with the unique fresh aroma of seaweed. It is often served cold with seasonings such as minced garlic, vinegar, soy sauce, and sesame oil, making it an excellent dish for cooling down in summer.

Guotie, commonly known as "potstickers" in the West, is a type of pan-fried dumpling, typically made with meat or vegetable fillings wrapped in a thin dough skin, then pan-fried to achieve a golden, crispy bottom and a soft top. Although "potsticker" is widely used in the West to refer to all pan-fried dumplings, in Northern China, Guotie specifically refers to a particular type of dumpling distinct from ordinary dumplings.

Grilled squid is a common street food and dish, prepared by grilling squid. The body (mantle), arms, tentacles, and ink of the squid are all edible, and it is usually cut into rings or grilled whole. Grilled squid is very popular in Asian countries, especially China, Thailand, and Japan, and is often sold at food stalls.

Steamed Scallops with Garlic Vermicelli is a classic Chinese seafood dish, primarily made with fresh scallops, steamed with a generous amount of minced garlic and vermicelli. It is characterized by its rich garlic aroma, tender and springy scallop meat, and vermicelli that fully absorbs the savory juices from the garlic and scallops, offering a rich texture.

Seafood Geda Soup is a traditional home-style soup, primarily made with dough drops, paired with a variety of fresh seafood (such as shrimp, clams, squid, etc.) and vegetables. It is characterized by its delicious broth, chewy dough drops, and rich nutrition, making it a common delicacy in northern coastal regions.

Pork Ribs with Rice is a common fast food in China, featuring tender and flavorful pork ribs served with rice. The ribs are usually stewed until soft and succulent, with a rich gravy, making it a beloved home-style dish.

Shrimp fried rice is a dish made primarily with cooked rice, stir-fried in a wok or frying pan with ingredients such as shrimp, eggs, and vegetables. This dish is typically eaten on its own or can be served as a side dish with other meals. It is a common part of East Asian, Southeast Asian, and some South Asian cuisines.

Mackerel dumplings are a specialty dish of the Jiaodong Peninsula, made with mackerel as the main filling. The mackerel meat is fresh and delicious, and when made into dumpling filling, it has a unique taste, making it a very popular home-cooked dish among local residents.

Braised Sea Snail is a traditional seafood dish, primarily made with fresh sea snails, usually braised with seasonings such as soy sauce, sugar, ginger, and garlic. Its characteristics include tender and springy sea snail meat, rich sauce, a balanced sweet and savory taste, and the unique freshness of seafood.