Qingdao
About Qingdao
Qingdao is a seaside city where red-tile German villas, Tsingtao beer foam and salty ocean breezes mingle. Founded by the Germans in 1898 as 'Tsingtau,' it became a brewing capital and later a naval base for both Germany and Japan; today it is China's most livable coastal metropolis. The vibe is relaxed and slightly European: morning joggers pass 1903 stone churches, surfers ride waves at Shilaoren, and night markets sizzle with cumin lamb skewers and fresh clams washed down with draft beer. Local food is seafood-first and umami-rich: charcoal-grilled squid, spicy stir-fried clams, sauerkraut-style pickled cabbage with pork ribs, and the iconic 'beer-braised sea cucumber.'
栈桥 | Pier Zhan Qiao
440-m stone pier into the bay, Qingdao's postcard since 1892.
八大关 | Badaguan
'World Architecture Museum' of 200+ European villas tucked beneath plane trees.
崂山 | Lao Mountain
China's coastal tallest peak (1,132 m), Taoist temples, waterfalls and tea groves.
青岛啤酒博物馆 | Tsingtao Beer Museum
Tour 1903 brewery, taste raw beer straight from tanks.
五四广场 & 奥帆中心 | May Fourth Square & Olympic Sailing Center
Neon-lit plaza plus 2008 sailing marina with nightly light shows.
信号山 | Signal Hill
360° lookout over red roofs and blue sea; climb the mushroom-shaped towers.
小青岛 | Little Qingdao Island
White lighthouse on a tiny island—perfect sunset spot.
青岛德国总督楼旧址 | German Governor's Residence
1906 German castle turned museum; audio guide in English.
海军博物馆 | Naval Museum
Walk on retired destroyers and submarines by the bay.
劈柴院 | Pichai Courtyard
1902 food alley—try tofu pudding, grilled squid and craft beer.
鲁迅公园 | Lu Xun Park
Rocky coastline, tide pools and pine-shaded paths.
天主教堂 | St. Michael's Cathedral
60-m twin-spire neo-Romanesque church from 1934.
极地海洋世界 | Polar Ocean World
Beluga whale shows and a 360° underwater tunnel.
石老人海水浴场 | Shilaoren Beach
City's longest sandy beach with surf clubs and sunrise markets.
即墨古城 | Jimo Ancient City
1,400-year-old walled town with lantern-lit night markets.
王姐烧烤 | Sister Wang's BBQ
20-year corner stall famous for cumin squid skewers and shrimp dumplings.
九龙餐厅 | Dragon-9 Restaurant
Closet-sized 1980s canteen; must-order spicy squid strips.
群姐面馆 | Sister Qun's Noodle House
Handmade squid-ink noodles with clams and sweet-sour ribs.
无名小吃 | Nameless Snack
15-table eatery loved for beer-braised prawns and pork ribs.
劈柴院豆腐脑 | Pichai Courtyard Tofu Pudding
Silky tofu with chili oil and century-egg shards; breakfast staple since 1902.
华春餐馆 | Huachun Restaurant
Tiny green-door joint near the university; fried yellow croaker & sweet-sour pork.
福来顺 | Fu Lai Shun
Alley hideout for giant-plate Chongqing spicy chicken.
东海香 | Donghai Xiang
Grandfather of steam-pot seafood—live clams, shrimp & scallops in one pot.
老鸭粉丝汤 | Old Duck Vermicelli
3-table stand serving rich duck-blood soup with crispy sesame cakes.
毛毛餐厅 | Maomao Restaurant
Northeastern hole-in-the-wall famed for crispy sweet-sour pork.
西镇建明炸串 | Xizhen Jianming Fried Skewers
OG street cart turned shop—giant cumin lamb & tofu skewers.
鑫明明拉面馆 | Xin Mingming Ramen
24-hour old-school Qingdao ramen with curry broth and roasted chicken hearts.
赵家牛肉砂锅 | Zhao's Beef Claypot
Hidden beef brisket & tendon pot; locals queue at 11 a.m.
上逸阁北京烤鸭 | Shang Yi Ge Roast Duck
Tiny 4-table duck shop; carved tableside, skin lacquer-crisp.
大君手擀面 | Dajun Hand-Pulled Noodles
Husband rolls noodles, wife fries skewers—slurp beef brisket noodles in beefy broth.
High value, low price local experiences
百年啤酒厂品原浆 | Fresh-from-Tank Beer Tasting
Sip unfiltered raw beer inside the 1903 brewery; ¥40 incl. souvenir glass.
崂山采茶体验 | Lao Mountain Tea Picking
Pick and roast your own coastal green tea in terraced gardens; ¥60 half-day.
帆船出海 | Sailing Lesson on J80
90-min beginner sail on Olympic-class boats; ¥120 pp.
劈柴院剪纸体验 | Paper-Cutting Workshop in Pichai
60-min session to cut Tsingtao beer logos; ¥30 take-home artwork.
德国总督楼VR | German Governor's VR Tour
Walk through 1906 rooms in VR goggles; ¥25 add-on.
海鲜市场现蒸 | Live-Steam at Seafood Market
Choose clams & crabs, pay ¥5 for on-the-spot steam; eat at plastic tables.
老城区徒步 | Old Town Walking Tour
Free self-guided map past 100-year-old German villas and churches.
夜风筝放灯 | Night Kite Flying on May-4 Square
LED kite rental ¥20; skyline backdrop.
定制贝壳画 | Custom Seashell Mosaic
Glue Qingdao shells into beer-mat souvenir; ¥30 in 30 min.