Sights and Shopping in Qingdao

A well-known local saying sums up Qingdao's main attractions: "swim in the sea, drink Tsingtao beer, eat fish, and climb Mount Laoshan."

Many sights are found in the former German quarter in the city's southwest, still shaped by colonial-era buildings — red tile roofs, cobblestone streets, and tree-lined avenues. Highlights include the old City Hall, the railway station, the striking twin-towered St. Michael's Cathedral, and the imposing Protestant church with its clock tower and red tiled roof. The Badaguan district has charming villas along tree-lined boulevards, and in Xinhao Hill Park stands the former governor's residence — once used as a hotel, now a historic building open to visitors.

Zhan Bridge and Huilan Pavilion

Zhan Bridge (Zhanqiao) is one of the city's main attractions — built in 1891, 440 meters long and 10 meters wide, with the Huilan Pavilion, lit up at night, at its far end. From there, boat tours along the coast are a popular option.

The Qingdao skyline

Qingdao's skyline is impressive both day and night, comparable to Shanghai's. In the evening, it's worth enjoying the calm atmosphere at Zhan Bridge or along the illuminated beach nearby with the skyline as a backdrop.

Qingdao Museum

The Qingdao Museum, home to a giant Buddha statue dating to around 500 CE, is well worth a visit. The seafront amusement park is also popular, with a Ferris wheel, carousels, roller coasters and water slides for visitors of all ages.

Parks in Qingdao

Numerous parks shape the cityscape. Julin Hill Park has a temple from which a chairlift runs up to a 232-meter TV tower; an elevator takes visitors to the top for a breathtaking view over the whole city, with a restaurant a few floors down for those who'd rather enjoy the view while seated. The chairlift continues on toward the zoo, where Chinese and international children play together at the playgrounds without any trouble.

A seafront promenade runs along the coast, lined with several beaches — the most central (Beach No. 1, also the longest) tends to be very crowded, so Beach No. 2 a little further out is a better bet for swimming.

Mount Laoshan

Mount Laoshan, 40km away, draws visitors with its striking mountain scenery and is easily reached by bus, with the drive along the coast road passing beaches and dramatic landscapes. Hiking trails lead past impressive waterfalls and caves, and a cable car offers an easier way up. The Palace of the Highest Purity on Mount Laoshan was built for Taoist ritual and holds an important place in Taoism.

Zhongshan Road is the main shopping street, with large shopping centers and, given the seaside setting, plenty of shell-craft souvenirs and seafood restaurants nearby. The Taidong pedestrian zone is also worth a visit, with endless shopping options and art on display. The Jimo Lu Market is a must for anyone hunting for small souvenirs — bargaining tends to be harder here than in other Chinese cities, with sellers less willing to negotiate but generally offering fair prices to begin with. For something more familiar, the Sunshine shopping mall has a Starbucks and a Häagen-Dazs.