Qingdao

A 2-km-long beachside park, between Xiao Qingdao Park and Bathing Beach. There is an oriental gate leading to a statue of Luxun, a famous Chinese writer.

An aquarium focusing on polar animals, including polar bears and penguins. Newer and more modern than the Underwater World. It has a well known Beluga whale and dolphin show, as well as a daily large seal exhibition.

A new attraction in Qingdao that houses Asian Black Bears (Dog Bears) among others. The bears are segregated by age, and visitors can feed them the food provided. While the bears are interesting, there are large numbers crammed in relatively small spaces. Bear shows take place several times a day and feature bears with chains around their necks being hit by their trainers until they perform tricks, only to receive very small rewards. There is also a lovely park that has a separate entrance and entry fee, in which visitors can take the stairs to the top of a mountain, passing several temples en route. It is worth the walk up, if visitors are OK with contributing their money to the bear habitat.

Qingdao is host to China's first public aquarium, opened in 1932. Today the "Underwater World" consists of four main areas on both sides of the street connected via an underground tunnel. One highlight is the moving platform that takes visitors in a tunnel through the aquarium, one can look all around and see fish from every angle. Also, do not miss the ever-popular mermaid shows. During the day and in the summer, it will be packed with hordes of noisy children and tourists. Two of the exhibits do not have air-conditioning. The ¥120 ticket also includes the Polar Ocean World, which has to be accessed separately..

A park built in traditional Chinese style in 1983. It has great hilltop views of Qingdao especially during sunrise.

This hill was used by the Germans as a signalling station, and was later turned into a park. It has lovely landscape and features a revolving tea shop offering a 360-degree panorama of Qingdao. Visitors will also see the Heart to Heart Bridge, where local couples place a heart-shaped padlock on the bridge to ensure that their relationship will last forever.

Dazhu Mountain is a 4A coastal scenic spot in Huangdao District, split into two zones: Zhushan Xiugu and Shimen Temple. Famous for vast wild azalea blossoms from March to May, it features grotesque rock formations, ancient grottoes and a centuries-old Buddhist temple built in the Jin Dynasty. Hiking uphill offers panoramic views over the Yellow Sea.

This is a free, circular island park connected to the mainland by a short causeway. It is renowned for its panoramic 360-degree sea views, lawns, and rare red reef rocks. It has become a popular gathering spot for young people, often featuring informal open-air music performances. Visitors are advised to bring their own water as there are limited shops on the island.The island is connected to the mainland by a short causeway and can be reached on foot from Maidao Station (Metro Line 2, Exit E). It takes about 15 minutes to walk around the island. There are open lawns, rocky areas along the shore, and a few small food stalls. It is popular for photography and evening walks.

A major national-level museum with exhibits on the history of the Chinese navy, as well as full-size warships that visitors may tour. The museum includes indoor exhibition halls and an outdoor area with decommissioned warships and submarines. Visitors can board some of the vessels. The museum is located near the old town and is a short walk from Renmin Huitang Metro Station (Line 3). Advance booking is required for entry.Visitor numbers are capped at 1000 per day, including a maximum of 500 visitors in the morning and a maximum of 500 visitors in the afternoon. Hence bookings are now essential. Bookings can made on the official website and also on WeChat (see website for QR code).

This museum includes exhibits of art and antiquities of ancient to modern Qingdao, and exhibits on porcelain and calligraphy.

The building is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit, the former site of the Qingdao Branch of the Red Swastika Society. It is divided into three exhibition halls: the front courtyard (Roman-style architecture), the middle courtyard (traditional Chinese palace-style architecture), and the rear courtyard (Islamic-style architecture).

The museum offers a self-guided tour through the original 1903 brewery buildings, including the fermenting hall and the historic bottling line. The tour takes about 1-1.5 hours. Visitors can see original brewing equipment, historical photographs, and exhibits on the development of China's beer industry. The tour ends at a bar area where the included beer samples are served. The museum is a short walk from the Taidong commercial area and is accessible by Metro Line 2 or 3.Tickets include one sample of unfiltered "raw" beer and one draft beer. The on-site bar serves fresh beer and a small selection of snacks. Booking online through apps is often cheaper than purchasing at the door.The brewery has some interesting exhibits and the bottling plant is fascinating. Inside, you will see the history of the brewery and how beer was made in the late 19th and 20th century. All tickets includes one free 125-ml sample of delicious unfiltered "raw" beer and one of draft beer. The more expensive tickets may also include free drinking (one hour), sausages and other food. When booked online through an app, the tickets are significantly cheaper (¥35 for regular and ¥55 including free drinking as of Nov 2017).

China's first comprehensive mega science museum dedicated to marine themes, centered on the theme "Ocean · Science · People." It features six permanent exhibition halls (Sea-Land Changes, Maritime Development, Ocean Phenomena, Blue Ecology, Deep Sea Exploration, Scientific Ocean Exploration), a children's hall, and science theaters with over 240 interactive exhibits. Highlights include a 24-meter-long scale model of Zheng He's treasure ship and an immersive 360° Disaster Theater.

A Bavarian-style castle where Mao stayed as well. Also the observatories on the hills around it are interesting for good views and museum sites.

This building housed a prison built by the Germans. The visit begins with an exhibit of the good and bad sides of German and Japanese occupation, followed by a visit of the cells and torture rooms. The building originally housed German prisoners, but was later used to incarcerate Chinese prisoners under Japanese rule, and communist party members under the Kuomintang. The basement recreates the Japanese torture cells, complete with original implements and illustrations. The exhibition includes original prison cells, interrogation rooms, and a basement recreation of Japanese-era torture chambers. Information panels are in Chinese and English. Photography is permitted in most areas but not inside the cells. The museum is not recommended for young children.

Qingdao was the location of the sailing events for the 2008 Summer Olympics hosted in Beijing. Visitors can see the plaza, lighthouse, and closing ceremonies site, as well as visit the restaurants and bars at the venue.

This park is the site of the former German battery overlooking Jiaozhou Bay. Visitors can enjoy the park, as well as visit the battery structure and an exhibit on the history of the German military in Qingdao. The park contains the preserved German-era battery and underground command tunnels. Visitors can walk through the tunnels and see the original artillery emplacements. The hilltop offers panoramic views over the old town and Jiaozhou Bay. Allow about 1.5 hours for a visit.

A 4A historic coastal site in Huangdao disctrict. First built by King Goujian of Yue, it was rebuilt after three imperial visits by Qin Shi Huang, who dispatched Xu Fu to sail east from here. Visitors can climb ancient stone paths for sea views and relic sightseeing

Built in 1934. Masses held every Sunday.

This is a Lutheran church located in the older part of the city. It was built in 1910, and has an auditorium and bell tower, both of which are open to visitors. The bell is original and was brought from Germany for the church.

This temple was built in 1945. It has five halls and a pagoda, with an area of 20,000 m². The temple boasts a large collection of skillfully carved statues of Buddha and Buddhist scriptures. There are tens of thousands of people at Zhanshan Temple from the 8th to the 10th of April on the lunar calendar every year.

Guangxingli is a restored early 20th-century courtyard housing complex that now houses independent cafes, craft shops, and small galleries. It offers a quieter alternative to the more commercialized attractions and is a good place to spend an afternoon. Entry is free. A beautifully preserved and revitalized "Li Yuan" (courtyard housing) block. It now houses independent cafes, craft shops, and design studios, offering a more local and artistic atmosphere compared to the city's well-known beaches and beer street.

Surrounded by mountains and visited far less often than its alternatives, Laoshan Beach is one of the best in town. Make sure to arrange transportation there and back, because taxis are harder to get there.The beach is of good quality, with clear water and fine sand, making it the most renowned bathing beach within the Laoshan Scenic Area. Typically, one can navigate to "Yangkou Tourist Area" or "Yangkou Beach"

One of the best beaches within easy striking distance of the city. It is cleanish, very long and broad, with the highest waves. Tables, chairs, tents, boats, shower, changing facilities etc. are available for rent.

Clean and full of amusement for children but often crowded. Very basic shower and changing facilities available. Surrounded by restaurants and hotels.

Quiet beach.

Has a "plastic island" so you can swim far away and have a rest before coming back (but it is sometimes exhausting to swim in the waves).

Not very clean.

Qingdao Silver Beach is located on the southwest side of the provincial-level Phoenix Island Tourist Resort in Qingdao Economic and Technological Development Zone. It is a sister beach to the National 4A Scenic Area Golden Beach, with a total length of over 2000 meters and a crescent shaped shape. It stretches from east to west, with clear water and flat beaches. It is a natural beach.

Golden Beach is located in the Huangdao Economic Development Zone of Qingdao, bordering the Yellow Sea to the south and extending in a crescent shaped shape from east to west. It has a total length of over 3500 meters and a width of 300 meters.It is named for its clear water, flat beaches, fine sand, and golden hue.At the end of 2008, it was rated as an AAAA level scenic area and is known as the "No.1 Beach in Asia".
The Golden Beach mainly has attractions such as Tianjie Guangtai International Sea Bath, Qicai City Water Park, and Qin Shi Huang's East Tour Palace. The resort has complete service facilities, including two three-star hotels, vacation villas, apartment buildings, and complete entertainment facilities, making it a good seaside vacation destination.
The best tourist months for Golden Beach are June, July, and August.

Qingdao International Beer Festival, held at the end of August every year, is a celebration of Qingdao's brewing heritage. During the daytime, there are official ceremonies that celebrate Qingdao's heritage as well as carnival type rides, food and games. In the evening, the event really picks up as crowds flock to huge tents set up by each beer company with a presence in China.
You can sit down and order beer or snacks. The price of food at night during the festival may be beyond budgets of some. You can also watch (or participate in) various performances such as karaoke, concerts, auctions, or comedy. The entertainment includes karaoke, concerts, auctions, and comedy shows.
The International Beer Festival, unfortunately, no longer seems to have much of an international presence save the beer. Much of what you see now can be found at any Chinese carnival, park or civic celebration.

Started in 2001.

Qingdao Ocean Festival started in 1999 and became international in 2009.

Started in 2008.

Started in 2009.

Started in 1992.

Summer Lantern Festival-Autumn Chrysanthemum Exhibition.

Started in 2008.

Since 2005.

Since 2003.

Seafront walk is Starting from Tuandao Ring Road in the west and ending at Shilaoren in the east, the total length is about 40.6 km. The Seafront walk connects the city's major tourist attractions such as Zhanqiao Park, Naval Museum, Xiaoqingdao Park, Luxun Park, No. 1 Bathing Beach, Badaguan Scenic Area, May Fourth Square, and Shilaoren Bathing Beach, forming a unique seaside landscape gallery. The walk can be divided into three sections: the western section from Tuandao to Zhanqiao Pier (about 8 km), the central section from Zhanqiao to May Fourth Square (about 12 km), and the eastern section from May Fourth Square to Shilaoren Beach (about 20 km). The central section is the most popular and passes Badaguan and Beach No. 1.

The Fushan forest park (浮山森林公园 Fushan senlin gongyuan) is a mountain park with some nice trails for easy walking and hiking and offers spectacular views over the city, shore and beaches. There are some old military tunnels near the peak that can be explored (bring a flashlight!). The hike to the top takes about 1 hour. Don't forget to take enough water and maybe some snacks along, as there are no vendors or stores in and nearby the park. The most popular route starts from the south entrance near Wangjiamaidao and follows a paved path to the summit, passing several viewpoints. The full loop takes about 2-3 hours. Bring sturdy shoes, water, and a flashlight if you plan to explore the old military tunnels near the peak.