A Qingdao Local's Pick of Authentic Street Eats

Travel is about discovering differences—when you come to Qingdao, you've got to soak up that genuine local 'clam flavor'. Let a Qingdao native take you wandering through the streets and alleys~

When Qingdao folks crave seafood, they—

head to Yingkou Road Market, buy their seafood, then find a nearby 'beer house' with a sign reading 'outside processing' out front. You'll be charged 10–20 yuan per jin for cooking, and it's as fresh and authentic as can be.

Seafood here isn't served plate by plate; it comes piled high, and the sheer abundance will rev up your appetite.

When locals fancy a snack, they flock to the buzzing Taidong Changxing Road Snack Street, eating their way from one end to the other.

Changxing Road is packed with food lovers—its popularity is off the charts. Grilled cold noodles, grilled pork trotters, 'large intestine wraps small intestine', guokui flatbread, fried stinky tofu, grilled tofu skins, hand-torn freshly baked bread, sauce-slathered fried chicken… dozens of tempting treats line this single street.

3. Breakfast & late-night eats

For a signature Qingdao breakfast, tianmo is a must. Strictly speaking, it's a Shandong specialty porridge. One plausible story about its name goes: originally it wasn't called 'tianmo' (sweet foam) but 'tianmor' (add bits)—once the porridge was ready, extras like glass noodles, veggies, peanuts, and seasonings were added as 'bits'. A taste confirmed it was delicious! 'Tianmor' spread, and later its pronunciation was softened into 'tianmo'.

All tofu pudding in Qingdao is savory. The best can be found at Pichaiyuan, in the very first shop just past the bronze sculpture—their sign simply says 'Tofu Pudding'. A bowl costs 4 yuan, a stuffed flatbread 1 yuan; prices haven't budged for nearly a decade. Braised pork cubes are 1 yuan each and packed with flavor. Even a guy can fill up for 8 yuan.

Most people think the heartfelt way to connect with this 'Ocean Gourmet Capital' of a Shandong city is to sample dish after dish in Pichaiyuan or to rattle off the street wisdom that Tsingtao Brewery's Factory 1 beer tastes great while Factory 2's gets you tipsy fast.

Little do they know, if you haven't slurped a bowl of 'wild wontons' (ye hundun) on a street curb late at night, you haven't truly been to Qingdao.

In Qingdao, they're the very definition of night. Because a wonton stall that doesn't start serving after 11 PM isn't called 'wild wontons'. This iconic local snack has always been a surefire way to tap into the 'Qingdao life'.

Of course, there's the beer festival. Enough said—just look at the photos.

This is the Qingdao International Beer Festival.

Recently, the Beer City has stepped up its deals: beer prices are down 14.4% year-on-year, and there are value-for-money meal sets at 70 yuan per person—great value.

At the Qingxi Golden Beer Tent, they brew beer on the spot—Huangpi lager, German-style wheat beer, and Jinsha ale. The first two go for 40 yuan per liter; a 330ml glass of Jinsha is 9.9 yuan. Drinks aside, the food is very affordable too, and they've just launched budget-friendly sets, including packages for 4, 6, and 8 people.

The Earlong Beer Tent also offers money-saving combos: a 4-person set with 4 meat and 2 veggie dishes, 6-person with 6 meat and 4 veggie, 8-person with 8 meat and 4 veggie—priced at 200, 300, and 400 yuan, respectively. There are also seafood platters and more, so you're guaranteed a great meal.

After a few beers and soaking up the global beer buzz, you can easily visit nearby scenic spots. Dazhu Mountain Scenic Area, Langyatai Scenic Area, and Zhushan National Forest Park are all wonderful places for a leisurely stroll and a mental reset.

The city's proud light show fills May Fourth Square with crowds every evening. The city management bureau has adjusted lighting times and added more shows at Fushan Bay: during peak tourist season, it's now shown twice a day instead of once, with an extra show on public holidays, so visitors can enjoy it to the fullest.

Best viewpoint: Ask any Qingdao local and they'll tell you the prime spot is actually Hisense Plaza. Head up to the fifth-floor terrace or restaurant for an alternative perspective of the country's largest urban light show. With fine food and stunning views, it's an unforgettable experience.

If you want to shop, go for something special. After the light show, head downstairs for some high-quality finds. Hisense Plaza itself is one of China's most prestigious luxury department stores. It's packed with famous brands and international luxury names like GUCCI, LV, Valentino, Hermès—so many you'll be spoiled for choice. Prada, LV, Cartier, BVLGARI, Miu Miu, and the like carry the latest bags and accessories in dazzling displays. The sales assistants are extremely warm, the selections vast, and they offer thoughtful, detailed advice and explanations. In Qingdao, Hermès, LV, and other top brands are only available at Hisense Plaza, so it's an absolute must-visit—you'd be missing out otherwise!

1. Bathing beaches

This time of year, Qingdao's No.1 Bathing Beach is packed. Instead, head to Shilaoren Bathing Beach, where the sand is super fine and the views wide open. It's mesmerizing for sunsets and sunrises. From there, hop on a vintage sightseeing trolley and take in the magnificent coastal scenery.

2. Yacht cruise

How could you miss a free yacht worth 80 million yuan when visiting Qingdao? Hisense Plaza offers a complimentary yacht trip for out-of-town visitors—boarding an 80-million-yuan yacht is a top-tier, classy indulgence.

Route: Olympic Sailing Center – No.3 Bathing Beach – Zhanqiao Pier – back to the Olympic Sailing Center

Capacity: 10 people per trip

Duration: approx. 1 hour

Departure time: 4:30 PM–5:30 PM

Date: Every Saturday and Sunday in August 2020

Seeing Qingdao from the sea is a completely different feeling! This way, you can take in the city's most modern skyline—from the Olympic Sailing Center to May Fourth Square, the soaring high-rises give you a Victoria Harbour vibe. Then continue to the 'World Architecture' ensemble at Badaguan. A fresh angle on Qingdao means unique photos to wow your social media circle.