7-Day Road Trip from Shanghai to Qingdao and Weihai in 2013 (Xiongyasuo Village, Dongchudao Village, Liugong Island, Weihai International Bathing Beach)

After road trips to Qingdao in 2011 and Qingdao-Yantai in 2012, I visited the Jiaodong Peninsula for the third time in 2013, this time with Qingdao and Weihai as the destinations. The road trip in Shandong lasted five full days: one day in Qingdao, one day exploring two Chinese historical and cultural villages between Qingdao and Weihai, and the remaining three days in Weihai. Compared to the rushed pace of group tours, the highlight of my three days in Weihai was driving along the coastal roads—Huanhai Road and Haibin Road—to take in the sea views. Weihai is backed by rolling hills, and Huanhai Road rises and falls with the winding coastline, making it a paradise for road trips, something that driving in downtown Qingdao or Yantai can hardly match. The total distance covered was 2,377 kilometers.

June 10, 2013 (Qingdao weather: cloudy, 18–24°C)

10:10 a.m. Departed from my home in Shanghai Pudong. First stopped at Jinqiao Carrefour, which delayed me by about half an hour.

11:37 a.m. Arrived at Jiading Toll Station on the Hujia Expressway, cumulative distance 42 km.

11:50 a.m. Arrived at Zhuqiao Toll Station on the Shenhai Expressway, cumulative distance 53 km, expressway toll 10 yuan.

11:58 a.m. Arrived at Taicang Main Line Toll Station on the Shenhai Expressway, cumulative distance 65 km.

12:10 p.m. Stopped at Shaxi Service Area on the Shenhai Expressway for a break, refueled with 93-octane gasoline for 200 yuan at 7.41 yuan/liter, cumulative distance 81 km.

12:41 p.m. Arrived at the Sutong Bridge South Toll Station on the Shenhai Expressway, cumulative distance 98 km.

1:25 p.m. Arrived at Rugao Service Area on the Shenhai Expressway, refueled with 93-octane gasoline for 140 yuan at 7.41 yuan/liter, cumulative distance 184 km.

3:04 p.m. Stopped at Sheyang Service Area on the Shenhai Expressway for a break, cumulative distance 324 km.

3:50 p.m. Stopped at Xiangshui Service Area on the Shenhai Expressway for a break, cumulative distance 408 km.

4:40 p.m. Stopped at Punan Service Area on the Shenhai Expressway for a break, cumulative distance 488 km.

5:12 p.m. Arrived at the Lu-Su Toll Station on the Shenhai Expressway, cumulative distance 534 km, expressway toll 250 yuan.

5:30 p.m. Arrived at Rizhao Service Area on the Shenhai Expressway, refueled with 93-octane gasoline for 220 yuan at 7.14 yuan/liter, cumulative distance 576 km.

6:30 p.m. Arrived at Jiaonan Toll Station on the Shenhai Expressway, cumulative distance 655 km, expressway toll 45 yuan.

That night, stayed at Jinjiang Inn Jiaonan Beijing Road, Standard Room A member rate 142 yuan.

In the evening, ate at a restaurant next to the hotel, spent 95 yuan.

By the end of the day, cumulative distance driven was 667 km.

June 11, 2013 (Qingdao weather: overcast with light rain, 16–20°C)

Below is the Jinjiang Inn Jiaonan Beijing Road.

In light rain all the way, I drove from Jiaonan to downtown Qingdao. Last year, I had driven from Jiaonan to Qingdao via Binhai Avenue, so this time I knew the route well.

10:55 a.m. Arrived at Qingdao Jiaozhou Bay Tunnel Toll Station, cumulative distance 695 km, tunnel toll 20 yuan.

Photos taken while driving through Qingdao.

Guanxiang Second Road leading to Guanxiang Hill.

Guanxiang Hill. Unfortunately, the Observatory Office Building, a nationally protected site, is inside a military compound and not open to the public.

Qingdao Observatory Astronomical Dome Room, a Qingdao Protected Historic Site. This is China's first self-built large domed astronomical observatory, housing the first large astronomical telescope imported into the country.

Overlooking downtown Qingdao from Guanxiang Hill.

Street view of Jiangsu Road in Qingdao.

Qingdao German Buildings Group / Former German Second Naval Battalion Headquarters. In the sixth batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units announced by the State Council on May 25, 2006, the Qingdao German Buildings Group was incorporated into the fourth batch's Qingdao German Buildings.

Qingdao German Buildings Group / Former Luther Apartments. In the sixth batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units announced by the State Council on May 25, 2006, the Qingdao German Buildings Group was incorporated into the fourth batch's Qingdao German Buildings.

Qingdao German Buildings / Former Kiaochow Governor's Office, a fourth-batch National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit announced by the State Council on November 20, 1996, classified as important modern and contemporary historical sites and representative buildings, dating to the Qing Dynasty. Note: In the fourth batch, the Former Kiaochow Governor's Office and the Former Kiaochow Governor's Residence were listed under 'Qingdao German Buildings.' In the sixth batch, the Qingdao German Buildings Group, comprising 25 sites, was merged into the fourth-batch Qingdao German Buildings.

Now houses the Qingdao Municipal People's Congress and Qingdao CPPCC.

Directly opposite the Former Kiaochow Governor's Office is the Former Kiaochow Imperial Court, another site within the sixth-batch Qingdao German Buildings Group. In fact, these four nationally protected sites—the Former Kiaochow Governor's Office, Former Kiaochow Imperial Court, Former German Second Naval Battalion Headquarters, and Former Luther Apartments—are clustered in one area. Unfortunately, I hadn't done my homework well and missed the Former Kiaochow Imperial Court, only capturing a side view of the building.

Such street signs may only be preserved in Qingdao among large cities.

For lunch, ate at the time-honored Chunhelou Restaurant, spending 150 yuan.

Crispy Chicken, the signature dish of Chunhelou.

Zhongshan Road in Qingdao. A historic commercial street with many fine modern buildings, but unfortunately I had no time to walk through it.

Qingdao Catholic Church, one of the sixth-batch Qingdao German Buildings Group.

Qingdao German Buildings Group / Qingdao Hill Fortification Site. In the sixth batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units announced by the State Council on May 25, 2006, the Qingdao German Buildings Group was incorporated into the fourth batch's Qingdao German Buildings.

This is a World War I Asian battlefield site.

Distant sea view of Qingdao.

Xiaoyushan Cultural Celebrity Block, home to many former residences of famous figures, is a fourth-batch Chinese Historical and Cultural Famous Street.

Former Residence of Shen Congwen.

Qingdao German Buildings / Former Kiaochow Governor's Residence, a fourth-batch National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit announced by the State Council on November 20, 1996, classified as important modern and contemporary historical sites and representative buildings, dating to the Qing Dynasty. Admission 20 yuan.

Arrived at the Qingdao Art Museum, but unfortunately it was already closed; I could only photograph the national protection monument in the courtyard through the iron fence. The Former Site of the World Red Swastika Society is a sixth-batch National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit announced by the State Council on May 25, 2006.

Qingdao German Buildings Group / Former Kiaochow European Prison. In the sixth batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units announced by the State Council on May 25, 2006, the Qingdao German Buildings Group was incorporated into the fourth batch's Qingdao German Buildings. Admission 25 yuan.

Driving south along Jiangsu Road in Qingdao and turning onto Taiping Road, the sea unfolded before me.

5:56 p.m. Arrived at Shuangbu Toll Station on the Qinglan Expressway, cumulative distance 753 km.

6:14 p.m. Arrived at Jiaozhou Toll Station on the Qinglan Expressway, cumulative distance 777 km, expressway toll 10 yuan.

For three years running, I've eaten at this dumpling restaurant in Jiaozhou—I've become quite fond of it. This meal cost over 90 yuan.

That night, stayed at Home Inn Jiaozhou Guangzhou Road, family room member rate 159 yuan.

By the end of the day, cumulative distance driven was 792 km.

June 12, 2013 (Qingdao weather: cloudy to sunny, 17–26°C)

The street in front of Home Inn Jiaozhou Guangzhou Road.

Home Inn Jiaozhou Guangzhou Road.

10:04 a.m. Arrived at Jiaozhou Toll Station on the Qingyin Expressway, cumulative distance 801 km.

10:23 a.m. Arrived at Jimo Toll Station on the Qingyin Expressway, cumulative distance 834 km, expressway toll 10 yuan.

Took provincial roads, passing through downtown Jimo.

Headed east to the coastal Aoshanwei Town, then took another provincial road north; there were many new real estate projects along the coast.

Xiongyasuo Village in Fengcheng Town, Jimo City, a fourth-batch Chinese Historical and Cultural Village. The ancient Xiongyasuo Fortress is also a Shandong Provincial Protected Historic Site.

1:47 p.m. Arrived at Xuefang Toll Station on the Qingwei Expressway, cumulative distance 938 km.

2:05 p.m. Stopped at Haiyang Service Area on the Qingwei Expressway for a break, refueled with 93-octane gasoline for 220 yuan at 7.14 yuan/liter, cumulative distance 959 km.

3:18 p.m. Arrived at Zetou Toll Station on the Qingwei Expressway, cumulative distance 1,058 km, expressway toll 50 yuan.

After exiting the expressway, I was supposed to take the provincial road towards Shidao, but I mistakenly took the road towards Wendeng, then went through Rongcheng to reach Dongchudao Village, making a big detour. Fortunately, I arrived at Dongchudao Village before sunset.

On the way from Rongcheng to Dongchudao Village, I encountered road construction on the provincial road and had to detour again.

Dongchudao Village, a third-batch Chinese Historical and Cultural Village.