# Qingdao travel guide (青岛) Shandong Province · East China, China · 13 places Canonical: https://cnatrip.com/en/destinations/shandong/qingdao ## Quick itinerary - **Day 1:** Zhanqiao Pier → St. Michael's Cathedral → Signal Hill Park → Governor's House → Qingdao Christian Church → Lu Xun Park → Little Qingdao Island Park - **Day 2:** Tsingtao Beer Museum → No. 1 Bathing Beach → Badaguan → Olympic Sailing Center → May Fourth Square - **Day 3:** Laoshan Mountain ## The feel of the place - **Green mountains, blue sea, red tiles, green trees:** This is not a casual summary of Qingdao from someone passing through. It is Kang Youwei's assessment of the city's colours. Today it has become the slogan of the Qingdao municipal government: Qingdao is “red roofs and green trees, blue sea and blue sky.” Either way, experiencing Qingdao in its clear air gives you an immediate sense of visual delight. Qingdao's daytime sunlight is very strong, so bring sunglasses to protect your eyes from the glare. - **Zhanqiao Pier:** As the symbol of Qingdao, Zhanqiao Pier is a narrow corridor stretching out into the sea. It is not only a unique spot for sightseeing and resting, but also an excellent artificial harbour. Its history dates back to the Qing Dynasty. From the pier, looking back at Qingdao, the coastline, golden beaches and colourful buildings along the shore together form a striking picture. - **Beer city:** The summer beer festival is the annual high point of beer drinking for Qingdao residents. On summer evenings along Qingdao's streets, you will often see people heading home after work, carrying seafood and vegetables in one hand and a bag of draft beer in the other, ready to enjoy a quiet drink at home. For Qingdao people, this is the most ordinary dinner of all, and drinking beer has naturally become a distinctive local sight! - **Squares:** Squares have become an important part of Qingdao, not only because of their number but also because each has its own character. Haiqu Garden is a small sculpture square whose theme combines idiom stories, historical figures and playful animals. May Fourth Square is almost a symbol of the new Qingdao. It is as large as Tiananmen Square, and its lawns, flowers, architecture, sculptures and the sea blend into a dynamic, colourful and dazzling world. East of Haiqu Garden is the Music Square, a row of structures that, like a piano, continually uplift and relax visitors' moods. - **The sea:** Qingdao's sea has a northern character. The shallow waters are a pure blue-green, the deep waters a solemn dark blue, and the beaches are made of dark red sandstone, rugged and deep-toned. Whether you stroll along the beautiful seaside promenade, enjoy the gentle sea breeze, listen to the waves breaking on the shore, or go tidal-pool shell collecting at dusk, it is thoroughly enjoyable. Qingdao's beaches are excellent, and the water temperature stays at 12–14℃ all year round. Golden Beach in particular has very fine sand. ## The feel of the place ### Qingdao ### Choosing when to visit Qingdao 1. If you prefer to travel alone and quietly, avoiding the peak tourist season is a good choice. Hotel rates drop considerably, but some attractions may be closed, so it is best to check in advance. 2. Visitors from southern China should avoid winter, as the biting cold wind may dampen your enthusiasm for sightseeing. ### Preparation and advice ### Language You can travel in Qingdao as long as you speak Mandarin. ### Climate and tourist seasons August is the best time to visit Qingdao, because the International Beer Festival takes place then and the sea has warmed up. Beer is a given, and the programmes and performances add a great deal of atmosphere. If there are foreign performance troupes, they are not to be missed. In fact, from June to September, Qingdao's temperatures generally range from 20–28℃, but this is also when the city is busiest with visitors. ### Festivals Tianhou Palace Folk Temple Fair: First to thirtieth day of the first lunar month Haiyun Temple Sugar Ball Fair: 16th to 22nd day of the first lunar month, at Haiyun Temple Qingdao Cherry Blossom Festival: Mid-April to early May, in Zhongshan Park Qingdao International Beer Festival: August, at the International Beer City Qingdao Tourism Industry Bar Culture Festival: December Qingdao Ocean Festival: July, Zhongshan Park (main venue) Qingdao International Fashion Week: September, Qingdao International Convention Center ## Getting there & around ### Getting there and away Qingdao is a well-connected city by sea, land and air, but if you are coming from another province, the train is the best option. From elsewhere in Shandong Province, driving is also convenient. ### By air Jiaodong International Airport now offers more than 100 domestic routes and more than ten international and regional routes. The airport is about 39 km from the city centre, and a shuttle bus takes around 80 minutes to get there. Qingdao's “Land-Air Link” express transit line has officially launched. Air passengers arriving at or departing from Qingdao Airport no longer need to change buses: they can take a long-distance coach directly from other cities to the airport terminal, or board one straight from the airport to their destination. This seamless air-land connection is the first of its kind in Shandong Province. ### Airport Shuttle ### Rail Qingdao Railway Station is located near Zhanqiao Pier. Its Gothic-style building means you can see the sea as soon as you exit the station, and Zhanqiao Pier is an 8-minute walk away. Trains from Qingdao Station run daily to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Jinan, Tai'an (for Mount Tai) and other destinations. Qingdao North Station is a transfer hub for rail, metro and long-distance buses, and has become an important junction in Qingdao's transport network. ### Qingdao Railway Station Stops ### Helpful Tips 1. The Green Channel at the railway station sells tickets 24 hours a day. The ground-floor Green Channel in the waiting hall sells tickets from 8:00–11:00 and 13:00–17:00, covering soft and hard sleeper and soft and hard seat tickets sold up to 7 days in advance. 2. Connecting tickets can be bought for the transfer or return leg with a specific seat or berth number, but this only applies to stations within the Jinan Railway Bureau's networked system. 3. If you book by phone, remember to collect your ticket on the day of booking, from 8:30 to 18:30, at Window 12 in the station's ticket hall. Unclaimed tickets are cancelled automatically. No bookings for the next day can be made between 18:30 and 21:00. 4. Phone booking and ticket delivery have a Green Channel for urgent cases: you may board first and buy your ticket afterwards. ### High-Speed Rail There are 22 high-speed trains daily from Qingdao to Beijing South. The fastest journey takes 2 hours 59 minutes. ### Road A network of expressways and first-class roads links Qingdao with Mount Tai, Qufu, Penglai and other places in the province. Qingdao is a first-class national port with sea passenger routes to South Korea and Japan. Qingdao Ferry Company's ferries and high-speed passenger boats connect Qingdao and Huangdao. Ferries run 56 trips a day and high-speed boats run 42 trips a day, with departures so frequent you are almost certain to catch one even at short notice. ### Sightseeing Cruises ### Driving ### City Transport Qingdao's city transport network is built around buses, metro lines and taxis. For sightseeing, three tourist bus routes run air-conditioned luxury coaches, which are very convenient. Taxis come in standard and deluxe types. Standard taxis charge ¥10 for the first 3 km and ¥2 per km thereafter. Deluxe taxis charge ¥12 for the first 3 km and ¥2.5 per km thereafter. Each taxi trip carries a ¥1 fuel surcharge. Qingdao currently has seven metro lines: Lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 11 and 13. ### Helpful Tips From January to April, Qingdao is windy and cold, and temperatures rise slowly, so travellers with arthritis are best to avoid this period. From May to July, dense fog and high humidity make the air heavily polluted, which is unsuitable for those with bronchitis. In March and November, temperatures in Qingdao fluctuate greatly, so people with coronary heart disease should avoid visiting during these months. ### Navigating Qingdao's Maze-Like Roads Qingdao's roads and buildings are distinctive, but for out-of-town visitors driving their own cars, the city's traffic is a real challenge. There are many one-way streets arranged like a maze, and those unfamiliar with the layout can easily lose their way. ### Detours Visitors often feel that Qingdao's taxis like to go around in circles. To clarify, the city's downtown roads are narrow, and to ease traffic pressure many streets are one-way, which is why routes can feel roundabout. ### Getting to Qingdao by Train 1. Travelling to Qingdao by train is inexpensive and comfortable. Qingdao Railway Station is surrounded by many hotels, inns and guesthouses, and several major attractions are nearby, so getting around is very easy. 2. If you arrive by train, do not hail a taxi in the station car park, as those taxis do not use meters. Take a taxi from the square outside the station to ensure a metered fare. ### Sightseeing by Bus Qingdao's standard bus fare is ¥1 and the air-conditioned bus fare is ¥2. Buses 26, 201 and 202, which depart from the ferry terminal or railway station, run along the seafront past Zhanqiao Pier, Badaguan and many other attractions. Three air-conditioned sightseeing routes are also available, each with a guide on board. Taking one of these is perhaps the most comfortable and convenient way to see the city. ### European-Style Architecture One-Day Sightseeing Route Departing from Huaneng Plaza, this route passes nine sights including Little Qingdao Island, Huashi Building, Zhanshan Temple, the former Governor's Residence and the Catholic church. The full fare is ¥99 per person (¥25 for transport and ¥74 for admission), and each person receives a free standard ¥30 lunch. ### The Beautiful Zhanqiao Pier Entry to Zhanqiao Pier is free. On the pier, you can watch fishermen in diving goggles collecting snails at night and see the North Sea Fleet. You will also feel as though you are standing out over the sea. If you are interested, you can even try fishing for crabs yourself. ### Things to Do at Zhanqiao Pier 1. At the end of the pier stands the Huilan Pavilion, the best spot for admiring Little Qingdao Island in the distance. 2. You can take a boat out to sea for a view of Qingdao. Winds are strong on the water, so bring warm clothing. - **Daytime Route (Airport to City Centre)** — Fuxin Building → Jiaodong International Airport, departs 7:30, one-way ticket ¥30; Qingdao Railway Station → Jiaodong International Airport, departs 14:00, one-way ticket ¥30. - **All-Day Route (Airport to West Coast New Area)** — Jiaodong International Airport → China Railway Expo City, departs 10:00 and 17:00, one-way ticket ¥30; Jiaodong International Airport → Ruiyuan Fanhua Li, departs 10:00, 11:00, 13:00, 15:00, 17:00, 18:00, 20:00, 22:00 and 0:00, one-way ticket ¥30. - **Night Route (Airport to City Centre)** — Fuxin Building → Jiaodong International Airport, departs 3:30, one-way ticket ¥30; Railway Station Guangxi Road bus stop → Jiaodong International Airport, departs 4:15, one-way ticket ¥30. Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport (Qiandiankou Village, Jiaodong Subdistrict, Jiaozhou City, 0532-96567) - **Qingdao Railway Station** — (2 Tai'an Road, Shinan District, Qingdao) - **Qingdao North Station** — (1 Jingle Road, Licang District, Qingdao) - **Qingdao Port Passenger Terminal** — (6 Xinjiang Road, 0532-82825001) - **Laiyang Road Sea Tourist Pier** — Sightseeing cruises run between Little Qingdao Island, Lu Xun Park, Taiping Cape and other points. (North side of the Naval Museum) - **Zhongyuan Ocean Square Tourist Pier** — Sightseeing cruises run to Maidao and Huangdao. (Xilingxia Road) - **From Beijing** — Take the Shangtong Expressway (toll ¥15), then the Shugang Expressway (Jiaonan North Toll Station toll ¥15). Collect your card at the Huangdao Toll Station (Ruichang Toll Station toll ¥35) to enter Qingdao city. The route from Huangdao to Qingdao generally follows the expressway that loops around Jiaozhou Bay, and road conditions are fair. ## Eat & drink ### Recommended Barbecue The barbecue on Yunnan Road and Taishan Road is absolutely delicious, and it isn't very expensive. ### Seafood + Beer The best time to eat seafood in Qingdao is spring and summer, when the seafood is tender, plump and smooth. Qingdao's snacks are varied, featuring specialties from across Shandong as well as local seafood snacks. Together with the famous Tsingtao Beer, they form Qingdao's distinctive snack style. ### Buy Pearls at a Pearl Factory If you want to buy pearls, don't buy from street vendors by the sea. Go to a pearl factory to find genuine, high-quality pearls. ### Bargaining Can Be Difficult Bargaining in Shandong can be rather difficult, for two reasons: prices are not particularly high to begin with, and locals are not keen to spend much time arguing. ### Budget Chain Hotels in Qingdao In Qingdao you can also choose budget chains such as Home Inn and Jinjiang Inn. ### A Favourite Among Students Around Xinjiazhuang there are many family guesthouses that are clean, tidy and inexpensive. The area is close to Hong Kong Road, one of Qingdao's best shopping streets, and only one or two stops from the Carrefour and Jasco supermarkets. It is also not far from Qingdao University, so it is worth a try for students. - **Snack Street** — For snacks, Qingdao locals will certainly recommend the Yunxiao Road Snack Street. If you are also going on to Weihai or Penglai, don't buy here; snacks there are much cheaper. Other snack streets include Pichaiyuan, Damai Island, Zhongyuan, Huiquan, Shuangxing, Chang'an Food Street and the Taishan Road Barbecue Street. ## Nightlife ### Nightlife As night falls, ordering a beer in one of Qingdao's bars, whether to savour it or simply pass the time, has become the new fashion in this beautiful city. ### Leisure in Qingdao - **MU MOON Medieval Church-Style Bar** — The dim lighting and flickering candles make it quiet and stylish. (2nd floor, Youke Building, No. 12 Tianmushan Road) - **Qiangmai Craft Beer** — In a city of beer like Qingdao, it isn't easy to win over drinkers with beer alone, but the brews here are truly excellent, a paradise for “beer geeks.” (Unit 16, No. 33 Huangxian Road) - **Bu Yu Shen Shuo** — A retro, artsy little bar with creative decor, where the screen plays Friends. Its good value makes it popular with young people. (No. 157-1 Jiangxi Road) - **Qingdao International Golf Club** — Located in the Shilaoren National Tourist Resort, it is a good place for beginners to practise. (No. 118 Songling Road, Gaoke Park, Laoshan District) ## Shopping ### Recommended Shopping ### Recommended Shopping Streets - **Laoshan Green Stone** — Laoshan is famous for its green stone, which is mainly mined from the seabed of Yangkou Bay, so it is also known as “undersea jade.” Mining has now been restricted due to overexploitation, so it is hard to obtain and its value has soared. - **Laoshan Yunfeng Tea** — A green tea. Because of Laoshan's geography and climate, its tea bushes grow slowly and accumulate plenty of nutrients, so Laoshan tea is rich in amino acids and caffeine, with a mellow, lingering fragrance. - **Shell Carving** — Qingdao is the birthplace of shell carving. Wall hangings, jewellery and souvenirs are sold in major shopping malls across the city. - **Clams** — Qingdao has many varieties of clams, and the hard-shell clam is considered the best. It is a local specialty. - **Straw Products** — Made from wheat-straw braid, these are often turned into indoor decorations, Christmas gifts, sun hats, small crossbody bags and handbags. - **Zhongshan Road** — One of Qingdao's main commercial streets. For seafood, the best choice is a state-run seafood shop next to the National Goods Store, where both price and quality are assured. The Jasco on Hong Kong Middle Road is also a good place to buy seafood, and its “Undersea World” counter offers good value. - **German Style Street** — Historic buildings in German and Japanese styles still stand here. The street was once known as “Qingdao's Wall Street.” - **Tuandao Farmers' Market** — Many visitors come to this farmers' market to buy local seafood. Tuandao is one of Qingdao's larger farmers' markets and is popular with locals too. The seafood is very fresh and the variety is good. Local specialties such as air-dried fish are also available. ## Where to stay Accommodation in Qingdao is generally expensive, and seaside hotels cost even more. Depending on your budget, you might consider a hotel a little further away, as Qingdao's public transport is very well developed. University guesthouses are also a good option; the areas are safe and the prices are reasonable. Pineapple Can Youth Hostel (Qingdao May Fourth Square Branch): Located downtown, about 500 metres from May Fourth Square, with large supermarkets nearby for shopping. It is an 8-minute walk from the metro station. - address: No. 12 Hong Kong Middle Road, Southern District - phone: 0532-55785598 ## Things to see - **May Fourth Square** (★★★★): Time needed 1 hour — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/may-fourth-square - **Zhanqiao Pier** (★★★★): Time needed 0.5–1 hour — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/zhanqiao-pier - **Badaguan** (★★★★): Admission All-access pass ¥50; Time needed 1–3 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/badaguan - **No. 1 Bathing Beach** (★★★): Time needed 2–3 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/no-1-bathing-beach - **Golden Sand Beach** (★★★★): Admission Free; Time needed 2–3 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/golden-sand-beach-qingdao - **Tsingtao Beer Museum** (★★★): Admission Free admission to Halls A and B; three-hall pass ¥90 (Halls A and B plus the Light and Shadow Exhibition Hall); four-hall pass ¥110 (Halls A and B, the Light and Shadow Exhibition Hall, plus the 1903 Theatre); Opening hours 8：30—16：30; Time needed 1–2 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/tsingtao-beer-museum - **Qingdao Polar Ocean World** (★★★★): Admission ¥280 (Ocean Park + Ice and Snow World); Opening hours 8：30—16：30; Time needed 3–4 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/qingdao-polar-ocean-world - **Celebrity Former Residences Tour** (★★★): — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/celebrity-former-residences-tour - **Historic Villas and Mansions Tour** (★★★★): — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/historic-villas-and-mansions-tour - **Laoshan Mountain** (★★★★): Admission 1. South Route Scenic Area (including Jufeng Peak): peak season ¥90, off-season ¥60; Jiushui Scenic Area: peak season ¥90, off-season ¥40; combined ticket: peak season ¥140, off-season ¥90 2. Jufeng cable car one way ¥40; Yangkou cable car one way ¥35; Taiqing cable car one way ¥45 3. Taiqing Palace is a paid Taoist temple; ticket ¥27; Time needed 1–2 days — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/laoshan-mountain - **Beijiushui** (★★★★): Admission Peak season ¥90; off-season ¥70; Time needed 3–4 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/beijiushui - **Langya Terrace** (★★★★): Admission ¥50; Opening hours 8:00–16:30 (peak season); 8:30–16:00 (off-season); Time needed 3–4 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/langya-terrace - **Olympic Sailing Centre** (★★★): Admission Free (some small attractions inside charge admission); free; ¥10; free; ¥10; Opening hours 5:00–23:00 (peak season); 5:30–22:00 (off-season); Time needed 2–3 hours; 1 hour — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/olympic-sailing-centre --- Source: China Self-Guided Travel 2025 (《中国自助游》, Tianjin Science & Technology Press, Aug 2024), pp. 1401–1424. Prices, hours and transport details are as printed in the August 2024 edition and may have changed. Always confirm with the venue before you travel.