Travel with Me: Qingdao in Summer – Half Sea, Half Art (A Classic Travel Guide)

The college entrance exams are over, and summer vacation has arrived. This summer feels a bit different from before, but the yearning to travel is more urgent than ever. I wonder if you've already chosen a destination? Just a few days ago, I wandered around Qingdao and once again fell in love with this city. Why not follow me~ Freedom this summer, go travel now... Let's start a seaside journey in Shandong~

Qingdao, a small coastal city, is gentle and tender, sophisticated yet quirky, bold and unrestrained—thousands of facets blend into her unique charm. I always feel that Qingdao is best explored on foot, strolling along the seaside, and you'll cover all the city's most classic spots.

Wander through Qingdao, with Home Inn bringing you a worry-free travel experience this summer, enjoy freedom. Follow my footsteps to discover another side of this city and unlock new ways to play.

Qingdao's old stories begin with the old buildings nestled among red tiles and green trees...

Qingdao is blue sea and azure sky, red tiles and green trees. Walking along Zhongshan Road to Zhanqiao Pier, you'll see foreign architecture shaded by green trees, streets bustling with people and cars that exude the flavor of time—the Catholic Church, the Governor's Mansion... These European-style buildings, steeped in history, seem to casually push open the door to a dusty past. Looking back on a century of vicissitudes only deepens today's affection.

Zhanqiao Pier, at the southern end of Zhongshan Road, boasts over a hundred years of history. It always seems crowded, with seagulls swarming in flocks. Standing on the reef beneath the pier, gazing at the distant sea, you see city buildings along the shore. Many years ago, this coastal fishing village must have been serene and timeless.

Before you know it, you'll arrive at the Catholic Church on Zhejiang Road, a popular spot for wedding photos and Qingdao's largest Gothic building, the famous St. Michael's Cathedral. Flanked by two symmetrical soaring bell towers, with a huge rose window above the main entrance and crosses towering on each side, it is shaded by lush green trees, yet nothing can hide its solemnity and grandeur.

Wandering aimlessly along the streets is the most comfortable way to open up Qingdao—spotting road signs for Mingshui Road and Hunan Road, coming across a street barber with just a chair and a mirror hanging from a tree, the ultimate ritual of a haircut... In this somewhat unfamiliar city, I unexpectedly found a rare sense of warmth.

Sitting by the seaside in Qingdao, waiting for the wind, and for someone...

Qingdao is a city of many colors, at times unfamiliar, at others familiar. Only when the sea breeze brushes your skin do you truly have the most intimate physical contact with the city.

Qingdao has three bathing beaches: the First Beach opposite Zhongshan Park, the Second Beach inside Badaguan, and the Third Beach near Haitian Hotel and Taiwan Road.

Bathing beaches are an indispensable part of a coastal city, where adults and children alike can run wild to their hearts' content. They're a great choice for photo-loving girls and surfing dudes. Barefoot on the sand, time becomes stunningly beautiful.

From the beach, with a lazy stride, I head to Badaguan, where even the shade of trees turns into poetry. Badaguan is special in Qingdao; I always feel it's like an unrestrained grand garden, imbued with a strong exotic atmosphere, bestowed by those leftover buildings. Badaguan merges parks with courtyards—lush trees, flowers blooming in all seasons, ten roads each with a thousand charms. ShaoGuan Road has flowering peach trees, ZhengYangGuan Road crape myrtles, JuYongGuan Road five-pointed maples, ZiJinGuan Road rows of cedars on both sides, and NingWuGuan Road is lined with begonias, evergreen... From early spring to late fall, flowers bloom continuously.

Qingdao's landmarks are not just red; they are also brilliantly lit up when night falls.

Wusi Square is named after the May Fourth Movement, for which Qingdao was the catalyst in modern Chinese history, and it's a landmark of the city. This landmark spot is a must-check-in place in Qingdao; without a photo here, it's as if you haven't really been to Qingdao.

From Wusi Square, crossing the overpass, you arrive at the Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center. Located along Fushan Bay, here you can take a boat out to sea to interpret Qingdao's charm from another angle, or get a speedboat to kick up a thousand waves...

This is Qingdao's CBD; when dusk falls, you must not leave in a hurry. A spectacular light show will unfold here, and nightlife truly begins... Lights spread across one high-rise after another, forming paintings or lines of text, illuminating half the night sky. Such is the witness to a city's vitality and prosperity.

1/ Itinerary:

Day 1: Zhanqiao Pier → German-style building clusters along Zhongshan Road, Zhejiang Road, University Road, etc. → Catholic Church → Signal Hill → Xiao Qingdao

Day 2: Badaguan → Bathing Beach → Wusi Square → Olympic Sailing Center → Taitung Pedestrian Street

2/ Accommodation Tips:

Near the train station: There is a wide choice of chain hotels, apartments, etc. at various price points, very convenient for non-driving travelers.

Near Badaguan and Wusi Square: Close to downtown and the seaside, making it easier to get around, a top choice for those driving.

I've always chosen to stay near the train station on my many trips to Qingdao, and I recommend the Home Inn Plus Hotel - Qingdao Train Station Zhanqiao Pier Zhongshan Road Branch. The overall stay is very comfortable; I must praise the cozy bed and soft pillows for a high-quality night's sleep. The Home Inn Plus is positioned as a full-sensory quality business hotel, half comfortable rest, half refined enjoyment. It suits business travel and family trips alike. During the pandemic, they have various measures to reassure guests, making stays safe and comfortable. In summer, they've also launched special offers for city travel hotels; those wanting to travel to various places can keep an eye out~

3/ Food Recommendations:

As a seaside city, Qingdao's unmissable highlight is seafood.

Pichai Yuan Food Street: Mostly seafood stalls and specialty snacks. Sea urchin, grilled squid, and all kinds of seafood are common.

Yunxiao Road Food Street: Comprised of Minjiang Road and Yunxiao Road, it's a good place to eat day or night, where you can enjoy seafood steamed pots, classic seafood dishes, and more.

Taitung Pedestrian Street: A famous snack street in the city, gathering snacks from various places. As for the taste, it depends on personal preference.