Itinerary Recommendation | A 3-Day Qingdao Trip That's Truly Artistic and Offbeat!

📍 Qingdao · 👁 1 reads · ❤️ 65 likes

Qingdao, a captivating coastal city that enchants countless people.

This city is absolutely more beautiful than you can imagine.

Here is the ultimate Qingdao travel guide, packed with insider tips!

An incredible 3-day Qingdao itinerary,

artistic yet trendy,

offbeat yet full of fun,

Visit Qingdao and explore it this way for a truly unique experience!

To truly get to know a city, you must wander its storied streets and landmarks.

Badaguan is Qingdao’s most classic area, and it best embodies the city’s characteristic 'red tiles, green trees, blue sea, and clear sky.' The name 'Badaguan' (Eight Great Passes) comes from the eight roads here (now expanded to ten), named after famous passes of the ancient Great Wall of China.

Hundreds of years ago, Germany occupied this area, leaving it with a charm that transports you to Europe. Every brick, every wall corner is steeped in German style, and every stretch of road tells stories of the past.

Step into a castle reminiscent of Neuschwanstein in Qingdao, walk past stone walls dappled with light and shadow, navigate bustling streets filled with traffic and crowds, and gaze upon red blossoms, green trees, blue sea, and clear sky—everything feels just right.

Even more delightful, a casual snapshot here turns into a gorgeous postcard; post it on your social media, and it’s sure to draw attention.

Qingdao also boasts the artistic University Road, where even the cracks between bricks exude poetry and charm.

The area around University Road is home to many former residences of celebrities: Liang Shiqiu, Lao She, Zhu Shuping, Tong Dizhou, and the couple Lu Kanru and Feng Yuanjun. These distinguished scholars once taught at National Shandong University (the predecessor of Ocean University of China) and settled here, infusing the road with an enduring literary fragrance.

Time is especially gentle here. As sunlight streams down, strolling along the alleys and roads, watching lazy cats by the wayside, you feel utterly relaxed and blissful. Around unexpected corners, you’ll discover various cafés and bookstores, each with its own unrestrained style, brimming with vitality while retaining a refreshing charm.

The Qingdao Laoshan Scenic Area towers over the shore of the Yellow Sea. As the highest peak along China’s coastline, it is known as the 'No. 1 Mountain on the Sea.' The interconnected mountains and sea, with their scenic interplay, define Laoshan’s landscape and serve as a unique calling card for Qingdao!

The main peak of Laoshan is called 'Jufeng,' also known as 'Laoding.' An old Qingdao saying goes: 'Though Mount Tai is high, it cannot match the Laoshan by the East Sea.' With its spectacular mountain-sea vistas, deep tranquility, and reputations as 'Abode of Immortals' and 'Blessed Paradise,' Laoshan has long been revered by emperors, generals, poets, scholars, and eminent monks. Mist often rises in the mountains, and the sea of clouds gives visitors the feeling of being in a fairyland.

If you come to Qingdao, be sure not to miss the sunrise over Laoshan. With dreamy tidal flats and the sun piercing through the horizon, it radiates ever-changing, mesmerizing hues—this is the most authentic beauty of Laoshan.

Qingshan Fishing Village nestles secluded on the slopes of Laoshan, hidden between mountains and sea, standing apart from the world with natural grace, creating a distinct 'Qingshan landscape.'

This ancient fishing village is surrounded by the sea on three sides, tranquil and leisurely. It not only boasts a 7.2-kilometer beautiful coastline, but also features green mountains, terraced fields, tea gardens, houses, fishing ports, and islands that complement each other in varying heights, forming a magnificent panorama of mountains, sea, and sky. It is hailed as one of China’s most beautiful villages.

The houses of Qingshan Village are built against the mountain and face the sea, with red-tiled, pink-walled buildings and thatched stone cottages harmoniously interspersed. Trees intertwine, vines entwine, and around the courtyards, emerald bamboo grows lushly and red blossoms blaze. Qingshan Bay, with its steep shore and deep water, sees fishing boats shuttling back and forth and seabirds frolicking. Gazing into the distance, the Laoshan headland peninsula winds into the sea, while white clouds drift around Taiqing Palace, mist and clouds shifting among bizarre rocks and strange peaks. Overlooking the rippling blue waters of Qingshan Bay and the village hidden among green trees, you feel as if you’ve entered a 'mountain-sea fairyland.'

Speaking of Qingdao, the first thing that comes to mind is definitely Qingdao beer. But did you know there’s also a Qingdao Beer Museum worth 15 billion yuan? It’s a condensed history of Qingdao beer.

The Qingdao Beer Museum is indeed a condensed history of Qingdao beer. What’s more special is that the story of Qingdao beer isn’t just about the beer itself. Having experienced the German colonial period, the War of Resistance, the early days of the PRC, and the reform and opening-up era, Qingdao beer has resonated with the times. Through its exhibits, it tells the story of Qingdao beer, the development of China’s beer industry, and the story of an enterprise and a city striving forward. In the museum’s centennial history and culture zone, following the timeline, the hundred-year tale of Tsingtao beer unfolds before your eyes.

Additionally, the century-old history and culture exhibition hall, the 4D cinema interactive area, and the new VR reception space leverage technology to bring visitors a whole new experience. The upgraded beer museum is even more captivating.

The Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center, a bay that once housed a century-old shipyard, has transformed into a landmark on the international stage after hosting the globally watched Olympic sailing events and the world-engaging SCO Summit. It has splendidly turned into a dazzling world gem.

Its unique natural conditions, combined with the excitement of sailing competitions and the prestige of the SCO Summit, give the Olympic Sailing Center a distinctive and trendy beauty. And the night views are truly enchanting.

It’s worth mentioning that this is also the filming location of the TV drama 'A Clear Midsummer Night' starring Yang Mi and Liu Kaiwei. Take a stroll along the long waterfront, and any random snap turns into an Instagram-worthy shot!

The best time to visit Qingdao is from May to October.

May to October: In summer, the seawater warms up, making it the golden season for swimming and playing in the waves. This is also the best time to experience Qingdao’s local customs. Moreover, the grand Qingdao Beer Festival kicks off in August, attracting numerous visitors to join locals in joyful toasts on midsummer nights, creating a lively atmosphere. As September ushers in autumn, it’s the perfect seafood season, with crabs and mantis shrimp coming to market, allowing you to feast to your heart’s content. The autumn colors of Badaguan are also enchanting; standing in the lanes lined with golden plane trees, you might feel transported to Paris, France.

When visiting Qingdao, you must indulge in a seafood feast. Don’t miss Pichaiyuan, and also Sanshan Island on Jiangxi Road, Boluoyouzi on Hong Kong Road, and Huifengyuan on German Style Street—these are the most affordable and beloved seafood spots among locals.

Green Oriental Hotel (Qingdao Century Park Liuting Airport Branch) is located at No. 1 Changcheng Road, Chengyang District, adjacent to Qingdao Century Park. To the north are the Qingdao National Advertising Industrial Park, Baolong City Plaza, Chengyang District People’s Hospital, and RT-Mart; to the south, it is a three-minute drive from Qingdao Liuting International Airport. The hotel’s trendy rooms come with various convenient amenities, allowing you to overlook the city and lake views. These stylish and cozy rooms are an excellent choice for leisure, vacationing, and wellness.

Ready to see the sea, feel the sea breeze, and feast on seafood? Are you prepared?

The dreamlike seaside is waiting for you!

Travelogue Directory

1. DAY 1: Encounter 'Qing' City Time – Romantic Badaguan, Fairytale University Road

2. DAY 2: Mountains, Sea, and Scenic Views – Laoshan + Qingshan Fishing Village

3. DAY 3: A Leisurely and Comfortable Journey Through Time – Beer Museum + Olympic Sailing Center

4. Best Travel Time

5. Best Dining Spots

7. Comfortable Hotel Recommendation: Green Oriental Qingdao International Airport Hotel

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