Qingdao, China
Region: Shandong
Geographic Coordinates: 36.116700, 120.400000
Temperature Range: -20.0°C to 40.0°C (-4°F to 104°F)
Climate: Qingdao has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, characterized by mild and humid summers and cold and dry winters. The average annual temperature is around 12°C (54°F), with the hottest month being July and the coldest month being January. Qingdao also experiences frequent typhoons during the summer months.
Population: 5818255
Language: Mandarin
Qingdao, Also known as Tsingtao, Is a coastal city located in the Shandong Province of China. It is famous for its stunning beaches, Fresh seafood, And rich history. The city was founded by the Germans in 1891 and has since been influenced by a variety of cultures. One of the most iconic landmarks in Qingdao is the Zhan Bridge which stretches out into the sea for over 400 meters. It offers stunning views of the ocean and is a popular spot for locals to fish or take romantic walks at sunset.
Another must-visit attraction is Mount Lao which is located just outside of Qingdao. This mountain range boasts beautiful hiking trails that lead up to ancient temples and breathtaking vistas. The city’s most famous export is undoubtedly its beer – Tsingtao Beer! The brewery was founded by German settlers in 1903 and today it produces over 2 million liters per day. Visitors can tour the brewery to learn about its history and taste some fresh beer straight from the source. For those interested in Chinese culture, There are plenty of museums and historical sites to explore throughout Qingdao.
One such site is St Michael’s Cathedral which was built by German missionaries in 1934 and remains one of China’s oldest Catholic churches today. There are also several parks within the city including May Fourth Square which hosts cultural events throughout the year. Foodies will be delighted with Qingdao’s seafood offerings – from freshly caught prawns to steamed scallops served up on street stalls or at high-end restaurants alike!
For those who prefer non-seafood options, There are plenty of delicious local dishes such as jiaozi (dumplings) or laoshan green tea that can be enjoyed at any number of eateries around town. no trip to Qingdao would be complete without visiting one (or many!) of its beautiful beaches! The most famous beach being the Golden Sands Beach which is located in the eastern part of Qingdao. It’s a great spot for swimming, Sunbathing, And people-watching.
Overall, Qingdao is a beautiful city that offers something for everyone – whether it’s hiking through ancient temples, Sampling fresh seafood or simply relaxing on one of its many beaches.
Important Landmarks
- Zhanqiao Pier
- May Fourth Square
- Qingdao Beer Museum
- Badaguan Scenic Area
- Mount Lao (Laoshan)
- Tsingtao Brewery Co., Ltd.
- St. Michael’s Cathedral
- Olympic Sailing Center
- Zhongshan Park
- Qingdao Underwater World
Noteable History
- The German colonization of Qingdao in 1898 resulted in the establishment of the city’s infrastructure and architecture, which can still be seen today.
- On May 4, 1919, students in Qingdao joined other Chinese cities to protest against the Treaty of Versailles and foreign intervention in China during the May Fourth Movement.
- Japan occupied Qingdao from 1938-1945 during World War II.
- Tsingtao Brewery was founded by Germans in 1903 and is now one of China’s most famous beer brands.
- Deng Xiaoping, one of China’s most influential leaders, lived in Qingdao during his teenage years and attended high school there.
- Li Hongzhang played a key role as a prominent statesman during the late Qing dynasty by modernizing China and establishing diplomatic relations with foreign powers.
- Admiral von Spee led his fleet into battle against British forces off the coast of Chile but was ultimately defeated near Falkland Islands during World War I; his flagship SMS Scharnhorst sunk off the coast of Qingdao on November 1st,1914
- Wang Jingwei collaborated with Japan during World War II and served as head of state under Japanese occupation between March 30th to August15th ,1940
- Li Jiayu is a famous scientist known for his research on cancer treatment using traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).
Museums and Things To See
- Tsingtao Brewery Museum
- Qingdao Municipal Museum
- May Fourth Square
- Mount Laoshan Scenic Area
- Xiaoyushan Park
- Zhanshan Temple
- Badaguan Scenic Area
- Qingdao Underwater World
- Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center
- Protestant Church of Qingdao
Sports Teams
- Qingdao DoubleStar Eagles is a basketball team that was established in 1995. The team has won the Chinese Basketball Association championship twice, in 2001 and 2002.
- Qingdao Huanghai F.C. is a football team that was founded in 2010. Since its inception, the team has played in the China League One.
- Qingdao Jonoon F.C., a football club founded in 1993, has participated in several seasons of the Chinese Super League.
- Qingdao Hainiu F.C., a newly formed football club established in 2019, competes in China League Two.
- Established back in 2008, Qingdao Red Lions Rugby Football Club is a rugby club that participates at both local and national levels.
- Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center hosted sailing events during the Beijing Olympics of 2008 and saw many international teams participating at this venue.
- Qingdao International Marathon started on May 28th,1989 with an approximate distance of forty-two kilometers around scenic areas of the city such as Laoshan Mountain and Binhai Road etc., attracting thousands of runners from all over China as well as overseas countries each year to participate annually.
Cultural Events
- Qingdao International Beer Festival is one of the largest beer festivals in Asia and takes place every August.
- Qingdao International Fashion Week showcases the latest fashion trends from around the world and occurs in March or April.
- Qingdao International Music Festival brings together classical and contemporary musicians from all over the world to perform in July.
- Tsingtao Dragon Boat Festival happens annually on Duanwu Festival (Dragon Boat Festival) and includes dragon boat races and traditional Chinese activities.
- China (Qingdao) International Marine Expo is a trade show that highlights marine technology, equipment, and products held every November.
- Qingdao Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates the blooming of cherry blossoms throughout parks and gardens in April or May each year.
- Qingdao International Kite Festival takes place on Weifang Beach during August or September featuring kite-flying competitions from all over China as well as international competitors.
- Qingdao West Coast New Area Cultural Tourism Carnival happens annually during summer vacation, offering cultural performances, food fairs, and amusement park rides for visitors to enjoy.
- Qingdao World Horticultural Exposition was held between April 25th to October 25th, 2021 showcasing thousands of plants from different countries.
- Qingdao Golden Beach Music Season is an annual music festival held at Golden Beach Scenic Spot featuring various genres such as rock, pop, jazz etc.
Cuisine
- Qingdao Beer Street is a popular spot where you can find many restaurants and bars serving local Qingdao beer and seafood dishes.
- Laoshan Mineral Water Restaurant is a great place to try dishes made with the famous Laoshan mineral water, including seafood, noodles, and dumplings.
- Lao Mountain Braised Chicken is a specialty dish of the Laoshan area that’s made by braising chicken in soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and other spices.
- Jimo Road BBQ is a street food vendor that serves grilled meat skewers flavored with cumin and other spices.
- Jiaodong Seafood Market is located near the harbor where you can find fresh seafood that can be cooked on-site at one of the many restaurants.
- Zhongshan Road Snack Street is another popular street filled with vendors selling local snacks such as fried squid, baozi (steamed buns), and jianbing (a type of Chinese crepe).
- Guo Brothers Dumpling Restaurant is known for its handmade dumplings filled with pork or shrimp.
- Haidilao Hot Pot originated in Sichuan but has become popular across China for its customizable hot pot meals featuring various meats, vegetables, and sauces.
- Yiqinglou Restaurant offers classic Shandong cuisine such as braised sea cucumber and stir-fried clams in an upscale setting.
- Shengyuan Beef Noodles are famous for their slow-cooked beef broth and hand-pulled noodles used to make their delicious beef noodle soup.
- May Fourth Square is a large public square that boasts fountains, sculptures, and a seaside promenade.
- Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center is a marina that offers sailing facilities, shops, and restaurants.
- Zhongshan Park is a historic park with beautiful gardens, pavilions, and monuments.
- Badaguan Scenic Area is a coastal area known for its European-style villas and breathtaking views of the ocean.
- Xiaoyushan Park is located on top of a hill and features hiking trails as well as panoramic views of the city.
- Polar Ocean World is an aquarium showcasing marine life from all around the world.
- Laoshan Mountain National Park offers scenic views of mountains, waterfalls, temples, and hiking trails for nature lovers to enjoy.
- Golden Beach is considered one of the most stunning beaches in Qingdao due to its beauty and crystal-clear waters.
- Tsingtao Brewery Museum pays homage to China’s most famous beer brand through exhibits detailing its history and brewing process.
- Zhanqiao Pier juts out into Qingdao Bay making it an iconic landmark for visitors to take in while exploring this beautiful city.