Qingdao: A City by the Sea 🌊🇨🇳
If you love scenic places, head to Qingdao! You can easily explore the area in 3-4 days. We went around summer, but it wasn’t too hot actually! Though I think it’d be definitely nicer in a cooler season. Either way, here’s what you can do, things you can skip, and what to take note of ⬇️
1. Zhongshan Road
- a vibey street area to visit with lots of food around so you’ll never go hungry there. It’s known for its European-style German buildings so do lookout for them while walking along the streets!
- there’s also the famous cathedral church that you can visit ⛪️
2. Zhanqiao Pier
- spanning >400m long, this is the first wharf in Qingdao. It is hella crowded with tourists, which can be abit of a letdown if you want to walk to the end of the pier, which we didn’t do due to the crowd. It might be better to go earlier in the day where there’s less tourists!
- it’s a short walk from Zhongshan road, and while walking to the pier you’ll see many stalls selling the famous tsingtao beer!! 🍺
3. Laoshan Mountain ⛰️
- a must visit if you love scenery. It’s only an hour away by subway from the main city, after which you have to take a shuttle bus to the mountain entrance and take a cable car up. There’s a few different routes you can take, but we ended up going to Jufeng as it was nearer compared to the others.
- disclaimer: from the cable car, you have to hike up to the observation decks. It did not feel beginner friendly though, felt more intermediate as the steps were quite steep. We didn’t go up all the way as it would’ve taken a long time! 🫣
4. Zhongshan Park 🌳
- take a stroll in this huge park with a zoo and a chairlift attraction within the park itself! Perfect for a evening stroll, and do take the chairlift to catch the sunset as well
5. Signal Mountain Park
- this was a much easier hike compared to laoshan, and only took us about 10-15 mins to reach the top!
- you’ll see all the red buildings in the view. Pro tip to go at sunset to catch the golden hour 🌅
6. Underwater world 🐟🐠
- can skips in my opinion! There wasn’t alot to see, and the animals looked quite poor thing as their enclosures were pretty small and didn’t look well maintained
- was abit confusing to get around the different attractions too cos there were multiple entrances
- we bought a package ticket that included a cruise sightseeing tour as well
- to only go if you have spare time to kill! They have a mermaid show that happens everyday, I thought that was quite interesting!
7. May Fourth Square
- right smack in their CBD area, this place is beside the sea and lights up at night 🌃
- the tall buildings around will display some cool lights and we even caught a drone show showing World Cup related pictures
8. Tsingtao Beer Museum 🍻
- highly overrated and crowded. Not much crowd control so the museums are so packed that you don’t even have space to walk at your own pace 🫤
- if you want to go through, do buy your tickets in advance as they run out fast
- you can get beer literally anywhere else so don’t think you need to go to the museum to have a taste of it (they do provide you 2 free samples of beer!)
That’s all for now folks! Happy travelling 🤩✈️
#qingdao #china #travelrecommendation #travelitinerary #tsingtao
Qingdao, known for its scenic coastline and rich German-influenced history, offers travelers an unforgettable experience blending nature, culture, and local delights. From my recent trip, I realized that timing your visit can greatly enhance your experience. Summer is pleasant but can get busy; visiting in spring or autumn not only provides cooler weather but also fewer crowds, ideal for exploring places like the Zhanqiao Pier. One highlight was Laoshan Mountain, truly a gem for nature lovers. I recommend allocating a good half-day here. Taking the cable car up eases the initial climb, but be prepared for some intermediate hiking to reach stunning observation decks. The panoramic views of the sea and rocky coastlines are worth the effort. If you are a beginner hiker, Signal Mountain Park offers an easier alternative with equally impressive sunset views over the city’s red-roofed buildings. For cultural immersion, walking along Zhongshan Road was delightful—not only to admire the unique European-style architecture but to indulge in the local cuisine. Street vendors selling fresh seafood dumplings and other regional specialties made every meal a treat. Don’t miss the historic cathedral nearby; it adds to the old-world charm of the area. May Fourth Square at night is another must-see, especially with the colorful light shows on the skyscrapers and the occasional drone displays. It captures Qingdao’s modern pulse against the backdrop of the sea. However, some attractions like the Underwater World aquarium felt less impressive due to cramped enclosures, so I would suggest skipping unless you have extra time. Regarding the Tsingtao Beer Museum, the crowds can be overwhelming. To avoid this, book tickets online in advance and try to visit during weekdays or early morning. Although the museum offers complimentary beer samples, you can enjoy authentic Tsingtao beer at many local bars and restaurants without the hassle. Overall, Qingdao is perfect for a 3-4 day itinerary that balances scenic nature, cultural heritage, and great food experiences. Pack comfortable shoes for walking and hiking, bring a light jacket for cooler seasons, and prepare to be charmed by this vibrant coastal city.