First Time in Qingdao: Must-Visit Places

Qingdao’s greatest appeal lies in its cool summer weather, bringing many to escape the heat—especially with so many classic attractions offering free admission this year, an experience not to be missed. Let me recommend some must-visit spots for first-timers in Qingdao:

Qingdao is a place for vows of eternal love, and that “mountain” is Laoshan. Be sure to follow the “Laoshan Scenic Area” official account and make a reservation one day in advance—this pandemic measure is really reassuring.

At Yangkou Scenic Area, the mountain faces a curved coastline. It’s not very tall but exceptionally beautiful. The cable car system has open-air gondolas that glide through the forest, offering a 360-degree unobstructed view of the magnificent sea and sky. Due to the terrain, the cable car only goes halfway up, then you must wind through twisting caves to continue. The journey from the halfway point to the summit is full of thrilling paths and surprises. When you think the road is ending, it always twists into a new turn. On Laoshan, every corner reveals stunning scenery.

Laoshan is a renowned Taoist mountain, so you must visit Taiqing Palace. In its Sanguan Hall, there is a 600-year-old camellia tree named Jiangxue Xiangyu. Legend says it was transplanted from Changmenyan Island by Zhang Sanfeng. In “Xiangyu” from Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio, the flower fairy Jiangxue refers to this very tree.

One great thing about Qingdao is how accessible the sea is—stretching over 10 kilometers from east to west, all scenic. If you’re fit enough, I recommend walking or cycling to take in the views along the way. If you don’t find a favorite spot, you can just relax on the beach and let your mind wander. After all, the point of leisure is to unwind comfortably, right?

Taking a yacht out to sea:

Hisense Plaza offers a free yacht trip for out-of-town visitors. Just join the “shake” activity at the front desk for a chance to ride in a yacht worth 80 million yuan. For first-time visitors, this is an upscale experience you’ve probably never had.

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

Capacity: 10 people per trip

Duration: about 1 hour

Departure time: 16:30–17:30

Dates: Saturdays and Sundays in August 2020

From the romantic harbor to the edge of the city, you’ll be immersed in a sense of freshness and excitement. Seeing Qingdao from a different angle is so beautiful.

The route includes Xiaoqingdao Island and Ouren Prison. From Xiaoqingdao Island, you can gaze at the entire Qingdao waterfront. The scenery along the way from Zhanqiao Pier to Xiaoqingdao is also not to be missed, with clusters of early modern foreign architecture. Keep in mind that Zhanqiao Pier is closed in windy or stormy weather.

Admission: 10–15 yuan

This spot’s beauty needs no introduction—perfect for photography lovers. I recommend visiting before 9 a.m. in summer, when it’s especially lovely.

Follow the wooden boardwalk and you’ll reach my favorite Olympic Sailing Center. I’ve always been fascinated by this bay that once hosted Olympic events, and what greets you is a modern, trendy vibe—even more delightful.

Hisense Plaza boasts the best vantage point for the nationally renowned city light show. On the fifth floor at Casanova, you can take in a full 5-kilometer panorama of the light show—truly breathtaking. The dining scene is super rich: the popular Western-style noodle house Jin Ya Ju, Sichuan cuisine at Yu Xiao Shan, Korean food at Yi Jin Han Shi, plus Tang Chen Stewed Delicacies, the Chaoshan porridge spot Xiang Dao Story, and the Hong Kong-style tea restaurant Dian Dian Xin. Also, Sheng Ji Fried Pork Chop from “The Solitary Gourmet” has landed at Hisense Plaza… In short, whatever flavor you crave, it’s here. Summer calls for ice cream and cold drinks, and you’ll find Häagen-Dazs and Baskin-Robbins here too. The trendy tea shop Heytea attracts queues of people.

Hisense Plaza is Shandong’s—even China’s—premier department store with the most comprehensive collection of international brands. It houses luxury labels like Hermès, Louis Vuitton, PRADA, GUCCI, TIFFANY, as well as Breguet, Blancpain, Vacheron Constantin, Piaget, Panerai, IWC, Rolex… You could say most of the world’s top ten watch brands are represented. When in Qingdao, I highly recommend a visit to Hisense Plaza for its great events and brands, and the service attitude is excellent—definitely worth it!

Qingdao International Beer Festival

The Qingdao International Beer Festival has been running for 30 years. From July 31 to August 16 this year, there’s no admission fee. It’s even more lively at night—the later, the merrier.

Daxue Road’s Instagram-famous wall

It’s a must-visit spot for any hipster or art lover.