Qingdao
“‘Switzerland of the East’“
Qingdao – the ‘Green Island’ in China – is the largest city in Shandong province and a top seaside metropolis in China. It is often dubbed as the ‘Switzerland of the East’ due to its German heritage.
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Qingdao – the ‘Green Island’ in China – is the largest city in Shandong province and a top seaside metropolis in China. It is often dubbed as the ‘Switzerland of the East’ due to its German heritage. Qingdao is a power house for transportation and manufacturing across multiple domains, all in a garden types of settings though. Its port ranks 7th in the world; Qingdao is home to the world leading brands, Haier refrigerators and cell phones. Qingdao made high speed train comb out the landscape of entire China and some will join Boston and Philadelphia’s regional rail system. While Qingdao’s 9.5 million locals loudly sip the fresh brew of world renowned Tsingtao Beer, the tire cozy modern city is busying leveraging its history as one of China’s first gateways to the outside world to achieve its modern glory of being an economic and cultural hub in Northern China.
It is a city with tasty appeals – a short but fascinating history. Having been developed as a German colony from 1891 and then occupied by Japan during the early 20th century, its legacy boasts vast historic architecture – hillside villas with red-colored roofs, on winding cobbled streets – alongside striking modern designs. The Little Fish Hill Park offers a photographic view over-looking the city, and out to sea.
Qingdao is considered to be a top tiered livable city in China. Its fresh sea breeze and laidback vibe make it a perfect weekend get-away from major cities such as Beijing and Shanghai. It has a metro system of 16 lines growing out of rocks in the past five years.
The Jiaozhou Bay Bridge, which holds the Guinness World Record as the longest (42 km) roadway bridge over water. It servers as an excellent introduction to the city and as an impressive first sight of Qingdao’s skyline.
For a glimpse of the past, the Governor’s House Museum will certainly enters our radar. This governor’s mansion was built in 1903. The interior still contains some German and Chinese original furnishings.
The Eight Great Passes neighborhood was once a top residential district of colonial elite. Today, those Euro styled mansions were restored and serve as prime wedding photo destination for locals.
For your own leisure, you won’t have to spend too long in Qingdao before you come across the ubiquitous local beer, Tsingtao Beer. Indeed, the Tsingtao Beer Museum, on the site of the original and still-operating brewery, is a fun attraction. There are old photographs, telling the history of the beer and its brand, and some glimpses into today’s working factory lines. Visitors can sample the beer, at its freshest, and then take a walk through the ‘Drunk House’, for a hangover-free stumble!
In 2008, the sailing events were hosted in Qingdao. Qingdao is also nicknamed a ‘sailing city’ for hosting the sailing events for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics and Paralympics, the Volvo Ocean Race (VOR 2008-2009) in 2009, the annual International Sailing Week, and the bi-annual Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.
Other major events taking place in this graceful city every year include: Qingdao International Horticulture Expo, SINO CES, and the International Beer Festival every August – that’s considered equivalent to the Oktoberfest in Munich.
Top Attractions
Jiaozhou Bay Bridge
Which holds the Guinness World Record as the longest (42 km) roadway bridge over water. It servers as an excellent introduction to the city and as an impressive first sight of Qingdao’s skyline.
Governor’s House Museum
For a glimpse of the past, the Governor’s House Museum will certainly enters our radar. This governor’s mansion was built in 1903. The interior still contains some German and Chinese original furnishings
The Eight Great Passes
Neighborhood was once a top residential district of colonial elite. Today, those Euro styled mansions were restored and serve as prime wedding photo destination for locals.
Tsingtao Beer Museum
For your own leisure, you won’t have to spend too long in Qingdao before you come across the ubiquitous local beer, Tsingtao Beer. Indeed, the Tsingtao Beer Museum, on the site of the original and still-operating brewery, is a fun attraction.
Sailing Pier
In 2008, the sailing events were hosted in Qingdao. Qingdao is also nicknamed a ‘sailing city’ for hosting the sailing events for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics and Paralympics, the Volvo Ocean Race (VOR 2008-2009) in 2009, the annual International Sailing Week, and the bi-annual Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.
Plan Your Trip
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You can take bus 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 15, 18, 33, 34, 35, 43, 49, 77, 101, 103, K50, K51 to get to Jinan downtown.
Planning/Tours
1-day Trip
Village of Fang Gai - Nine Dragon Gorge (房干景区-九龙大峡谷)
Qi Wall
2-day Trip
Day 1:
Village of Fang Gai - Nine Dragon Gorge (房干景区-九龙大峡谷)
Day2:
Xue Ye Lake (雪野湖)
Qi Wall
Laiwu Agricultural Expo (雪野农博园)
“Cinque Terre” of Shandong
3-day Trip
Day 1:
Morning: Great Qi Wall (齐长城)
Afternoon: Xue Ye Lake (雪野湖)
Day 2:
Village of Fang Gai - Nine Dragon Gorge (房干景区-九龙大峡谷)
Day 3:
Morning: The Civil War Museum (莱芜战役纪念馆)
Afternoon: Lotus Flower National Park and National Geology Park. (莲花山)
Fill out this form and receive personalized suggestions on how to best plan your trip!
山东省文化和旅游厅 Shandong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism
美国友康科技有限公司 U-Combination Technology (USA) Inc.
Authorized agency for Shandong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism in the U.S.
(山东省文化和旅游厅在美授权机构)
150 E Swedesford Rd, Suite 101,
Wayne, PA 19087
For help planning your visit, please contact us now:
E-Mail:
tours@travelshandong.