Qingdao

Places to see and things to do in Qingdao

• International Beer Festival
  Blue sea, graceful peaks, flying seagulls and rising waves give the International Beer City a beautiful appearance in the Shilaoren Tourist Resort. The grand and greatest annual beer festival in Asia is held here .With the help of this favorite worldwide beverage, the festival provides an opportunity for trade and economic dealings as well as a cultural tour, The magnificent Beer Square, Beer Palace, Comprehensive Amusement Park, International Beer Club, grand opening ceremony, exciting drinking contest, large-scale fireworks evening and all manner of planned and impromptu happening add delight to this annual summer time event, The harmony of natural sightseeing and cultural and commercial activities make Qingdao even more charming.

• Ocean Festival
  Aiming at showing the strength of ocean resources, ocean ecology ,ocean scientific research and ocean industries, the first Ocean Festival will be staged this year from 10th to 25th of July in "Ocean City", Qingdao, many colorful activities are planned, including ocean cultural entertainment, ocean popular science, ocean tours, The festival will lay stress on internationalization, publicity, and amusement. It's main aim is to present high-grade tourism products and encourage all people to recognize, love and protect the ocean and welcome the ocean century.

• Qingdao Summer Art Festival
  The onset of Qingdao's vigorous and vivid summer, sees the start of the arrived Qingdao Summer Art Festival. Guided by developing serious art and promoting art appreciation, the festival combines and contrasts performance in theatre with evenings in the open ; large-scale with small-scale; and profession with amateur in order to create an annual summer feast of the arts, In order to meet the needs of cultural life, all kinds of do-it-yourself and staged culturally oriented activities are played to the full, such as the art festival , literature &art performance, Karaoke(amateur singing) contest, happy family party, residence summer evening and a delightful variety of exhibitions.

• "Love of the Sea" Tourist Festival
  This festival is held in mid July. Various activities including sports, angling, calligraphy and painting exhibition and film show are popular with both Qingdao people and tourists from home and abroad.

• Laoshan Mountain
  In the southern part of the Shandong Peninsula, and 20 kilometers east of Qingdao, Mount Laoshan rises majestically from the sea, highlighted by strange rocks and precipitous cliffs. Grass and trees flourish on the mountain as the area has abundant rainfall. It is said that the First Emperor of the Qin Dynasty (221-207 B.C.) once came here in search of elixirs. A huge rock inscribed with the words "waves blending into the sky" is said to be where the emperor once stood when he climbed Laoshan. The mountain became a Taoist shrine during the Song Dynasty (960-1279) and the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) when many Taoist temples were built here. Legends described the mountain as a place of mystery and wonder, it was regarded as a residence of immortals.

  The summit can be reached by three routes. Along the south route, the climber will find Genghis Khan's Supreme Purity Temple (Taiqinggong). This Taoist temple is composed of Three Emperors Hall (Sanhuangdian), with its towering cypresses over two thousand years old; Three Officials Hall (Sanguandian); and Three Purity Hall (Sanqingdian), with its Magic Water (Shenshui) Spring.

  The north route zigzags among grotesquely shaped rocks and cliffs and offers many breathtaking views, including Three Steps in Succession (Sanbujin), Ladder in the Sky (Shangtianti), and Terrace for Meeting Immortals (Huixiantai). At strip of Sky (Yixiantian) the overhanging precipices are particularly thrilling. The Terrace for Meeting Immortals, rising more than a hundred meters above the ground like a tower, is also called Dressing Terrace (Shuzhuangtai) -- a folktale says that fairies used to dress themselves at the top.

  Along the middle route, visitors can see Laoshan Springs, Regarded as "magic" since ancient times, the springwater comes from four directions: Nine Wter (Jiushui), Inner Nine Water (Neijiushui), Outer Nine Water (Waijiushui), and South Nine Water (Nanjiushui). Bottled Laoshan mineral water is a popular beverage in China.

  The Laoshan Scenic Area is one of Chin’s first major scenic resorts to receive the approval of the State Council. It holds an important position in Qingdao’s tourism industry. The acceleration of its natural landscape development and of its cultural facilities is an important component of the city’s Olympic endeavors. Major tourist spots include the Laoshan Kangcheng Academy, the Jufeng Scenic Area and Nine Waters & Eighteen Pools.

  • Jufeng Tourist Area of Mt. Laoshan
    The Jufeng Tourist Area extends 1.4 square kilometers around Jufeng, the highest peak of Mt. Laoshan. It is 1,133 meters above sea level, and is known as China’s No. 1 mountain by the sea. The landscape features peaks, rocks, cliffs and forests. Here tourists can enjoy the beautiful mountain scenes，and view sunrise from the sea mists.

    Through the scenic spots, tourists can know more about the rich resources of Mt. Laoshan. At the top of the mountain, tourists can have a birds-eye view of the undulating mountains and the sea in the distance.

  • The Nine Waters and Eighteen Pools in Laoshan
    After six months’ construction that cost RMB 20 million, one of the most famous scenic areas in Laoshan-Beijiushui Scenic Area has opened to tourists since March 24th, 2003, Beijiushui Scenic Area is located north of Laoshan, with exposed rocks and poor water-holding capacity. More often than not, the streams run dry. In order to reserve water to protect this famous tourist spot, 18 artificial pools were build at the foot of the mountain. These pools can not only preserve spring water and rain water but also present a unique picture. Each of them, big or small, deep or shallow, has a beautiful name, such as Deyu (Catching fish) and Deyi (Delight). The Nine waters and Eighteen Pools have become a new wonderful view in the Beijiushui Scenic Area.
  • Catholic Church
    Situated on the northern end of Zhejiang Road, the Catholic Church , originally named St.Michael's .Wasbuilt in the shape of a Latin cross by the Germans in 1934. There is a 60-meter high bell tower on each side of the mainentrance each topped with a 4.5-meter high cross, and inside which four great bells are hung. The hall, rising to 18 meters at the peak of the roof, can seat more than 1,000 people. As one of the major Catholic churches in China, the majestic structure with a main building stretching 80 meters in length covers 2,500 square meters. You can get there by bus No. 1, 2, 5, 6.

    Tel: 2865960
    Location: 15 Zhejiang Road.

  • Little Qingdao Isle
    Whose shape is like an ancient violin, is also called “violin isle”. Germany built the white lighthouse on the isle at the beginning of this century. Its light reflected on the sea makes quite a spectacle at night, so much so that it has become known as “floating light of isle”. You can get to the isle by bus No. 6, No. 26, No. 316, No. 231, No. 202.

    Tel: 2863944
    Location: 2 Qinyu Rd.
    Hours of Operation: Nov-Mar 7:30-17:00 Apr—Oct 7:30-18:00
    Ticket price: RMB 10 or 15,

  • Badaguan
    Badaguan (Eight Passes) is named after the eight passes of the Great Wall. Located in the city center, the passes are planted with trees of various blooms blossoming in different seasons, such as peaches, crabapples, pine trees and ginkgoes. This area is known for its many villas, and with more than 200 western architecture in different styles, it is also called the Architecture Museum.

  • Guest House
    Qingdao enjoys a reputation as a city of International Architecture on display and in life. Among the most charming examples of the city's exciting blending of architecture is the Guest House, which lies at the foot of the beautiful Xiaoyu Hill. It is styled after the architecture of a classic German castle and converys the air of a European imperial palace. The delicate shape, splendid ornaments, graceful lines and bold colors make the Guest House one of the best examples of monomeric villas in China, Originally, the Guest House was the official residence of the German governor-general of jiao'ao, so its popular name is the Governor's official Residence, In 1934, it was formally renamed "Guest House", and then became important as a retreat to receive VIPLS in military affairs and politics. You can go to the building by bus No. 1, 25, 221, 225, 228.

    
    Tel: 2889888
    Location: 26 Longshan Road
    Hours of Operation: 8:30-17:00
    Ticket price: RMB 10-15

  • Zhanqiao Pier
    Zhanqiao Pier, built in 1891, is the symbol of Qingdao. After several restorations, from being a simple military harbor, it is now open to tourists. The pier is 440 meters long. There is an octagonal pagoda of distinctive Chinese style, “Huilan Pagoda” at the end of the pier. From the top, tourists can fully view the magnificent sea. Along the shore is the beautiful Pier Park, which is a pleasant and quiet place for tourists to rest or enjoy the scenery of Little Qingdao Isle and its white tower. You can go there by bus No. 2, No. 5, No. 8, No. 25, No. 26.

  • Bathing Beaches
    Qingdao boasts many fine sand beaches along its long winding coast. There are altogether seven beaches in the urban area. Number One Bathing Beach, also called Huiquan Bathing Beach, is 800 meters long and is equipped with sharkproof nets and all the necessary facilities. Number Two Bathing Beach in the Badaguan Scenic Area used to be popular with political figures, such as Chairman Mao and other central government officials. Number Three Bathing Beach of 400 meters long is located on the east end of Taiping Cape near the convalescent area. Number Six Bathing Beach, also called Zhanqiao Bathing Beach, is close to the city center. The bathing beach at the Shilaoren National Holiday Resort is 2,600 meters long.

  • Naval Museum
    Founded by the Chinese Navy, the Naval Museum is currently the only military museum devoted to reflecting the development of the Chinese Navy. Located at 8, Laiyang Road, the museum covers more than 40,000 square meters and was formally opened on October 1, 1989. The exhibition area is divided into three sections: indoor exhibition hall, weapons and armaments hall, and exhibitions at sea. The museum has a collection of 1,200 reference pictures, 300 valuable relics, and various submarines, destroyers and weapons. Here, visitors can appreciate the glorious history of the Chinese People´s Navy.

    Open daily:
    Nov—Mar 8:00—17:00 Ticket price：RMB 20
    Apr—Oct 7:30—18:00 Ticket price：RMB 30

  • Sightseeing TV Tower
    Qingdao Sightseeing TV Tower, honored as "the No. 1 Steel Tower in China", is located on the top of 116-meter-high Taiping Hill in Julin Hill Park. With a height of 232 meters, it is the highest scenic spot in Qingdao. It takes 52 seconds to the 130-meter-high "Emerald" ball-shaped tower by the high-speed elevator. The rolling silver-colored flying -saucer-shaped hall provides you a bird's eye view of the city. On the top of the tower, there is a 230 square meter' sightseeing platform. Besides, a mini-cinema, a relaxation bar, cultural display and tourist shopping will satisfy you.

  • Xinhao Hill Park
    Xinhao Hill is one of 10 major hills in Qingdao. It is the highest point of the old city proper with an elevation of 98 meters. During the German Occupation, in 1897, the Germans built the first radio station in Qingdao here and named the hill “LIlisi Hill” after the German commander. Xinhao Hill has many scenic spots including the hexagon pavilion, the Yulan pavilion, the revolving hall, the open-air tea house, the arch bridge and long corridors. The three red mushroom buildings resemble three torches. Sitting in the viewing hall and looking yonder, red roofs, green trees, blue sea and azure sky constitute a fabulous picture. You can get to there by bus No. 1, 220.

    Ticket price: RMB ￥15.

  • LuXun Park
    Built in 1929, Luxun Park is located on the shore of The Huiquan Bay. It got its present name in 1950 in memory of the distinguished Chinese modern writer Lu Xun. The park is a perfect combination of traditional Chinese gardening art and natural beauty. You can get there by bus No. 6, 26, 201, 304, 316.