Qingdao
Discover Qingdao
Qingdao (青岛; Qīngdǎo; also known as Tsingtao), is regarded by some Chinese as one of the most beautiful and cleanest cities in China. With a population of around 7.2 million, it is one of the largest cities in Shandong Province. The name Qingdao means The Blue/Green Island. Qingdao City lies on the east shore of Jiaozhou Bay (胶州湾 Jiāozhōuwān) and comprises three districts from south to north:
What to Experience in Qingdao
Famous Beaches
Taste of Qingdao...
Head to Yunxiao Road west of Fuzhou South Road for a large selection of restaurants of all Chinese varieties ranging from the local Shandong style, to Cantonese and Sichuan. Yunxiao Road is recognized as Qingdao's restaurant street, and serves up a wide variety of mouth watering dishes. Minjiang Road, near Fushou South Road (bordering on Qingdao's restaurant district), has several outstanding restaurants. The area is booming with foods from around the world. Small cheap restaurants are found around the city, especially away from the main streets. Basic meals for less than ¥10. Also, dumpling restaurants tend to be cheap, some options are: If you want something a bit more comfortable than the most basic restaurants, you can try one of the restaurants below where you can expect to pay around ¥20-40 each person: Being Qingdao, you can expect to find, well, copious amounts of fresh Tsingtao. The brewery was founded by Germans during colonial times. Every August there is a beer festival (check the listing in the "Do" section). Many European breweries participate. One of the neatest things about Qingdao is the ability to purchase fresh from the factory draft beer almost anywhere. You will often see kegs sitting outside most restaurants and snack stores.
Festivals & Events
Experience the vibrant festivals and cultural celebrations of Qingdao.
Head to Yunxiao Road west of Fuzhou South Road for a large selection of restaurants of all Chinese varieties ranging from the local Shandong style, to Cantonese and Sichuan. Yunxiao Road is recognized as Qingdao's restaurant street, and serves up a wide variety of mouth watering dishes. Minjiang Road, near Fushou South Road (bordering on Qingdao's restaurant district), has several outstanding restaurants. The area is booming with foods from around the world. Small cheap restaurants are found around the city, especially away from the main streets. Basic meals for less than ¥10. Also, dumpling restaurants tend to be cheap, some options are: If you want something a bit more comfortable than the most basic restaurants, you can try one of the restaurants below where you can expect to pay around ¥20-40 each person: Being Qingdao, you can expect to find, well, copious amounts of fresh Tsingtao. The brewery was founded by Germans during colonial times.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsMetro Line 8 links the airport and Qingdao North Railway Station. You can interchange to Metro Line 1 or Line 3 there to the downtown. ¥6-8 aThere are several Airport Shuttle Bus lines to the city. You may need them when the metro service ends in late night. ¥25-30 Note that the airport is very far (approx. 60 km (37 mi)) from the city proper, take a taxi to the city center (May 4th Square) usually takes 1-1.5 hour and costs ¥200-250. Qingdao has international ferry connections. It is also a port of call for cruise ships. From Incheon, South Korea there are ferries three times a week by Weidong Ferries. If you are travelling from within Shandong Province, going by bus is probably the easiest way. Especially now with the new excellent and fast expressways linking Qingdao with other cities in the province. There are several buses per day from Jinan, Taian, Qufu, as well as Yantai and Rizhao on the coast....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
As of 2017, the meter rate for normal taxis starts at ¥10 while the larger cabs start at ¥12. The meter is based on both distance traveled and time taken. If you take a taxi to or from the airport, and use the Qingyin expressway there will be a ¥10 rate added to whatever the meter price is. During the summer months that are the peak tourist season, taxis may be hard to flag down. If ever you get one of the larger taxis, the drivers will usually be delighted to give you their business card, so that in the case of planned travel to somewhere like the airport or train station, you can avoid the hassle of trying to flag down a cab. If you have a SIM card and internet on your phone, you can order taxis using an app (for example Didi), and the rates might even be lower. Qingdao's metro system has 8 lines with more under construction as of 2024. Line 1 runs directly north to south, connecting North urban area Chengyang district with the West Coast Area (Huangdao District).
Where to Stay
Generally, Qingdao is a very safe city although the general travel advisories such as keeping your bag close, not flashing large amounts of money and using common sense are always advised. Violent crime or serious thievery is not a common problem. Also, be wary about buying Xinjiang nut loaves from vendors along the boardwalk near the Zhan Bridge unless you don't mind paying ¥200 for 2 kg of the loaves when all you wanted was a small piece to try. If you must buy them, make sure you agree on the price for each liang (the unit of measurement) of the loaf before you get the vendor to slice it. Also, tell him exactly how many liangs you want, although some tourists have commented that the vendors will still cut a much bigger slice than what you asked for. Sinkiang nut loaves are notorious for their ridiculous price throughout China. Qingdao officials have been known to sweep bars. To avoid troubles, you should keep your passport and visa with you at all times.
Money & Budget
Head to Yunxiao Road west of Fuzhou South Road for a large selection of restaurants of all Chinese varieties ranging from the local Shandong style, to Cantonese and Sichuan. Yunxiao Road is recognized as Qingdao's restaurant street, and serves up a wide variety of mouth watering dishes. Minjiang Road, near Fushou South Road (bordering on Qingdao's restaurant district), has several outstanding restaurants. The area is booming with foods from around the world. Small cheap restaurants are found around the city, especially away from the main streets. Basic meals for less than ¥10.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Generally, Qingdao is a very safe city although the general travel advisories such as keeping your bag close, not flashing large amounts of money and using common sense are always advised. Violent crime or serious thievery is not a common problem. Also, be wary about buying Xinjiang nut loaves from vendors along the boardwalk near the Zhan Bridge unless you don't mind paying ¥200 for 2 kg of the loaves when all you wanted was a small piece to try. If you must buy them, make sure you agree on the price for each liang (the unit of measurement) of the loaf before you get the vendor to slice it. Also, tell him exactly how many liangs you want, although some tourists have commented that the vendors will still cut a much bigger slice than what you asked for. Sinkiang nut loaves are notorious for their ridiculous price throughout China. Qingdao officials have been known to sweep bars. To avoid troubles, you should keep your passport and visa with you at all times.
Glimpses of Qingdao
the night view of Qingdao city
Xin Hao mountain. Overview of Tsingtao City.
An aerial view of a city and a body of water
landscape photo of city building during dusk
a view of a city and a body of water
A beach with a lot of people on it
Many high-rise buildings in China use large-area LED external screens on the exterior walls of high-rise buildings. Before the LEDs are activated, I photographed the natural internal lighting of these buildings. I think this is better than LEDs.
Skyline Beach Qingdao China
a group of people standing on a pier next to the ocean
An aerial view of a pier and boats in the water
the night view of Qingdao city
Xin Hao mountain. Overview of Tsingtao City.
An aerial view of a city and a body of water