A Short Getaway to Qingdao West Coast: Sea Breezes and Fresh Seafood

During the May Day short holiday, racking my brains to find a scenic spot with few crowds is nearly impossible—I’ve already visited every slightly famous place nearby. So I turned to lesser-known destinations. Lingshan Island caught my eye again, a place I’ve wanted to visit for years. Even though the weather again prevented me from going this time, strolling along the Huangdao coast to feel the sea breeze and eat seafood was still utterly pleasant.

The first stop was Jimiya Port; tomorrow, we’ll take a boat from this pier to Lingshan Island. Here, there’s a budget-friendly seafood market and you can buy authentic fresh draft beer.

Check into an apartment hotel with a small kitchen, near a shopping district and seafood market. Buy fresh seafood, and simply blanching it makes a sumptuous seafood feast. White blanching preserves the original flavors best, allowing us to indulge heartily.

After lunch and a short rest, we drove along the coastal road, passing by the Maritime Carnival, Tangdao Bay Coastal Park, all the way to Yumingzui.

The Qingdao West Coast New Area boasts a winding 282-kilometer blue coastline, where beaches, islands, bays, reefs, and rivers blend naturally, like a string of pearls embedded—a rare and precious marine resource.

The coastal road consists of two sections, east and west, totaling 42 kilometers. The East Coastal Road runs west from Golden Beach, Phoenix Mountain, Lüdaozui, and Ganshui Bay to Houchawan.

The West Coastal Road starts east from Shique Beach, Silver Beach, Liansan Island, to Yumingzui. The coastal road forms a circular transportation route within the tourist area, a sightseeing road that traverses the entire Phoenix Island tourist zone, offering breathtaking views of Qingdao’s entire coastal scenery.

Yumingzui, shaped like a narrow crescent, guards Qingdao and is the city’s “gateway to the sea.” The village is surrounded by the sea on three sides; looking around, you see countless white sails.

Together we admired mountains, waters, listened to the wind, and the sea—golden sands, intriguing reefs, the sea embracing the mountains. Sunshine, ocean, beaches, and islands blend seamlessly.

On the lawns here, visitors bring their families and children, some snacks, and a tent. They spend a half-day or full day playing. Usually busy with work, having a quiet seaside playtime with family or friends is a true relaxation for the soul.

At sunset, we arrived at Phoenix Mountain. On the prime land of Qingdao West Coast, the beautiful Phoenix Mountain stands by the sea, where sea and sky merge into one, embraced by green trees, and the air is incredibly fresh—simply wonderful!

Breathing the clean air, slowly enjoying the scenery along the way—how delightful!

The Lalu Qingdao is located here, a serene beauty hidden among mountains and sea. Although it faces the Qingdao city center across the water, it feels like a world away from the hustle and bustle.

When our friend learned we were in Huangdao, they warmly invited us for dinner, letting us savor the delicious food while our beautiful friendship quietly blossomed at the table...

A night view of Huangdao with its scattered lights—a tranquility that seeps into the soul! The Binhai Avenue under the night sky glistens and glows.

The internet-famous Ferris wheel is Shandong Province's first seaview Ferris wheel, standing 68 meters tall with a diameter of 65 meters. The entire structure uses radial spoke splicing, and the 36 fully transparent sea-view cabins are brightly colored and vibrant. It is the only Ferris wheel in North China featuring a hundred dynamic, colorful night light shows.

In the morning, waking up naturally, my husband had already prepared a seafood soup, accompanied by Jiaodong-style old-dough steamed buns. Feeling the deep love slowly seeping into my heart with the savory soup, and the happiness that rises with the curling, graceful aroma...

Due to heavy fog and rough seas, the boat to Lingshan Island was suspended today. We missed the island once again, leaving us with regret! A rainy day is perfect for shopping, so we headed to a nearby outlet store.

Next to the shopping center is the internet-famous Ferris wheel, “Eye of Qindao,” standing 68 meters tall by Tangdao Bay. It offers a 360-degree panoramic sea view, becoming another new landmark for Qingdao tourism.

The Rainbow Bridge connecting the Ferris wheel features a brilliantly colorful body, with different shapes from different angles. From a distance, it looks like a beautiful rainbow falling onto the sea. Standing on it, the pink deck, the multicolored and multi-shaped bridge, and the Ferris wheel create a stunning scene.

People walking through it feel as if they are inside a colorful "kaleidoscope," a sight that is utterly captivating.

It's bustling with people, everyone taking photos with the Rainbow Bridge, which has become a popular photo spot. The multicolored bridge looks beautiful from various angles, like a rainbow drifting onto the sea.

The weather wasn't cooperating, but delicious food heals everything. For lunch, we went to a fish dumpling restaurant in Sunac Mao. We ordered winter melon and clam dumplings—available only 45 days a year—along with cuttlefish dumplings and yellow croaker dumplings, to try the fish dumplings featured on “A Bite of China.”

Time has always been gentle, and the years pass slowly by~ Let life be etched with gastronomic delights, may every memory be beautiful.

Since its inception, Qingdao Oriental Movie Metropolis has become a landmark of the West Coast. Over the years, numerous famous films, including “The Wandering Earth,” have been shot here. Supported by commercial complexes like Sunac Mao, it has become a key supporting facility for the entire Lingshan Bay area.

Across from Gate 2 of Huangdao Sunac Mao is a Republican-era street, showcasing the old Shanghai style of the Republic of China period. After lunch, we visited it out of curiosity.

Traveling back to the Republic era. As time mottles the passing moments, the years are warm and peaceful. Listening to the sea breeze gently brushing past our ears, we quietly enjoyed the wonderful vacation time with family.

Facing the restlessness and noise of the outside world, everyone's soul needs a pure land. The seaside is a perfect place for a short stay, escaping the city to enjoy tranquility. Sightseeing, fishing, tide-chasing... Stroll along the meandering, endless coastline and discover memories etched by time.