Qingdao Maiden Trip: Listen to Rain, Taste Flavors, Feel the Wind, Watch the Sea, Stroll the Streets, Read the Sunset – Five Days to Savor!

As the song goes, 'Walking every street, my heart stays at the start, red tiles green trees, blue sea azure sky, my love for you never changes,' that catchy video and rhythm instantly made me feel the red-tiled, green-tree, blue-sea, azure-sky Qingdao. I want to fulfill my Qingdao dream!

A five-day holiday, a spur-of-the-moment trip, checking the guide as I went – that’s how this Qingdao journey came to be.

Day 1: High-speed train from Chengdu to Chongqing, then flew to Qingdao with a Chongqing friend against the sunset. (Why fly from Chongqing? Because the flight + train ticket was over 300 yuan cheaper than flying directly from Chengdu.)

The flight went smoothly, but as we approached Qingdao to land, a heavy rain was waiting for us.

It was pouring when we got out of Liuting Airport – umbrellas barely helped. The airport has shuttle buses to the train station and other routes. Line 702 costs 20 yuan and takes a bit over an hour to the train station (currently no subway from the airport to the station). We chose to stay near the station because there are many attractions and easy metro/bus access to many spots.

Of course, accommodation choice matters. Better to walk a bit further or take a couple of bus stops than stay right next to the train station, seaside, or scenic areas – poor value and often a trap. Unless money is no object and you can stay in high-end places, that’s okay. More on this later, just a heads-up.

Don't worry, we weren’t going to let this rain dampen our passion for Qingdao. To me, it was just a warm welcome – maybe a bit too enthusiastic. After dropping our bags, we eagerly went hunting for food. For foodies like us, cuisine is the ultimate lure!

· [Taste of Qingdao]

In Qingdao, you don’t have to rush to see the sea, but you must taste the seafood. That very evening, we went to Guichao Seafood Ranch, Zhanqiao Branch. For 200 yuan minus 1, two ladies ate to bursting and still had to pack leftovers!

The ambiance was really nice – ancient charm with a touch of ocean flair. Drinks, condiments, fruits were self-service, but we arrived late, so fruits were almost gone and not replenished.

The dishes were good. We had steamed seafood, and if you can, try all eight signature dishes. We could only manage three from the set: Jiuyang Shen Gong, a Basket of Small Seafood, and Boneless Sauce-Drizzled Longli Fish.

Jiuyang Shen Gong: eight oysters topped with fresh quail eggs and chicken kidney, steamed on a rack (underneath the pot, century egg lean pork porridge or shrimp seafood porridge was cooking simultaneously), then dipped in a secret sauce you mix to your taste – immensely fresh, tender, and smooth, so delicious.

A Basket of Small Seafood: abalone, scallops, clams, and raw seafood on a big plate, fresh and tasty. Though small, the flavor was great – I could almost taste the Qingdao sea! Generous portion, we couldn't finish this plate!

Boneless Sauce-Drizzled Longli Fish: steamed slices, sauce poured on at the table – fresh and tender, but the skin got a bit heavy after a few bites; some pickles would have been perfect!

Swan Shell and Wild Hawaii Shell: two of each, a bit chewy but very fresh, not bad.

Laba Garlic Liuting Pork Trotter

Besides the porridge in the pot, there was also meat sauce with green pepper and a braised cold dish of Laba Garlic Liuting Pork Trotter. All tasted good, but we couldn’t finish and had to pack. I’ll say it again: total 199 yuan! We even had a free pitcher of sour plum drink...

Suggestions: replenish fruits promptly; have napkins on tables – whether charged or free. It feels like many places in the north don't put them on tables; you have to ask the server, who then gives you just one – maybe a cultural thing. Address: 33 Hunan Road, Shinan District, Qingdao. Hours: 10:00-22:00.

Back at the hotel, rain still falling, but lighter. Let it rain – preferably all night, then clear up tomorrow. Shower, sleep, good night!

Day 2: Woke up naturally near noon. As expected, the rain had stopped, and the sun peeped out. We grabbed soy milk, fried dough sticks, and xiaolongbao from a street stall – total 15 yuan. (If you eat near the train station, that’s 15-20 yuan per person.) Then off to the seaside. First stop –

· [Qingdao’s Sea]

In Huiquan Scenic Area by the sea, there’s a very distinctive Lu Xun Park. The park stretches about 1 km along the coastline, perfect for viewing Huiquan Bay.

Combining natural coast scenery and garden landscapes, green water, red reefs, pine trees, and pavilions create a beautiful scene.

Lu Xun Park was renamed and expanded in 1950 to commemorate Mr. Lu Xun, and you’ll find his statue inside.

The weather was great – blue sky, blue sea. Sitting on the reefs, watching the sea, feeling the breeze, you can also go speedboating or windsurfing – it makes your mood soar.

[PS] Lu Xun Park is free and open all day. From the park’s left side, walk 500 meters along the coast to reach Little Qingdao.

Cross a 370-meter seawall built in 1942 to reach Little Qingdao, a spot surrounded by sea on three sides. In 1898, Germany occupied Jiaozhou and named this place “Qingdao” – today’s city name comes from this island.

On the seawall, you can see three warships at the Qingdao Naval Museum up close.

With good weather, you can clearly spot Zhanqiao, churches, Signal Hill and more from Little Qingdao.

The 12-meter octagonal stone Little Qingdao Lighthouse is a navigation marker and part of Qingdao’s German architectural heritage.

The seaside boardwalk and nearby reefs are great for photos. Because its shape resembles a guqin, Little Qingdao is also called “Qin Island.” The statue of the Qin Maiden is considered a symbol of Qingdao.

[PS] Address: 26 Qinyu Road, Shinan District, Qingdao. Hours: 8:00–17:00 (last entry 16:00). Admission: free until the end of this year; normally 5 yuan. Transport: many buses stop at Lu Xun Park; walk 300+ meters along the coast.

· Qingdao Local Cuisine

After all the fun and walking, time for a good meal. You can’t just eat seafood feasts in Qingdao – local specialties must be tried.

We hit Republic Era Seafood Dumpling House, rich in vintage charm. (Address: 31 Zhongshan Road, Shinan District, Qingdao.)

The setting is distinctive: a bustling hall, quiet small rooms, intimate nooks – all blending ocean vibes with a Republic-era throwback. Lucky, we only waited five minutes for a small room.

First, a glass of authentic Tsingtao Draft Beer No.1 and their house-made old yogurt. Free self-service: chilled sour plum drink, lemon water, ancient tree tea, or dumpling broth.

Old-Broth Soy Beef: thick slices with tendon, rich in soy aroma – great with alcohol. The garlic seasoning with mustard is a punch of flavor; some might not handle it, haha!

Secret Recipe Kimchi Stir-fried Pork Belly: with a Korean kick, spicy and addictive, great over rice.

Seafood Family Big-Belly Dumplings: 15 pieces, five flavors, three each – big and fresh, a dumpling feast!

Disappointment: The menu described Clam with Stir-Fried Chicken as spicy, but it was just braised chicken with wood ear mushrooms and a few clams, neither spicy nor fragrant, not photogenic, big chunks of bland chicken – 56 yuan not worth it.

Ended with a French crème brûlée dessert – a happy meal. Service was overall professional and warm, satisfying.

The next morning, the weather wasn’t great – overcast but no rain. Near Zhanqiao, there’s a distinctive seaside structure once called Imperial Sea Palace, a white spherical building right on the coast, close to Qingdao railway station and famous Zhanqiao Scenic Spot, a landmark of Qingdao. Now it’s the Qingdao Forbidden City Cultural and Creative Center. Poor light for outdoor photos, so we went inside to explore.

The Qingdao Forbidden City Cultural and Creative Center is an innovative “culture + creativity + technology” collaboration among Qingdao Hainuo, the Forbidden City, and Phoenix TV. Covering 7.5 mu, it’s a themed large-scale cultural and experiential space centered on “Along the River During the Qingming Festival.” Every door, plaque, and screen here is modeled on existing styles from the Forbidden City Museum, giving you a taste of the Forbidden City right in Qingdao.

Antique-style display cases showcase cultural and creative products – books, gifts, ceramics, souvenirs, artifact-themed items – conveying the historical and cultural sentiments of the Forbidden City.

The first-floor cultural zone gathers many books, tea sets, and varied Forbidden City creatives.

There are two floors; the first is free. The second floor requires a separate ticket, and it’s pricier than the Beijing Forbidden City. I suggest skipping it unless you’re a real enthusiast.

On the first floor, there’s a beautifully designed café for resting and sea views, plus a palace-style restaurant to please your palate.

[ps] Address: Intersection of Xilingxia Road and Xilingxia 2nd Road, Shinan District, Qingdao. Admission: first floor free, second floor 80 yuan (I didn’t go up, said to be a 3D digital ‘Along the River During the Qingming Festival’ themed hall). Transport: (minimum walking) bus 312 to Guizhou Road Chaocheng Road stop, then 200m walk. Open: 09:00–17:30; advance reservation required this year.

After leaving the center, the sky brightened a bit. We headed to No.52 Donghai East Road, Laoshan District, to the Rainbow Stairs we’d long wanted to see.

The Rainbow Stairs are now part of Iceberg Corner, painted in all colors – red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet – a dreamy palette that draws young people to pose for photos.

Besides the trendy stairs, Iceberg Corner has a sweet rooftop Love Terrace, a sea-view love nest with great angles, a vintage car with a polar bear mascot, and a birdcage-designed Drifting Post Office…

From a young hipster photo spot and romance confession site to family leisure, Iceberg Corner blends fashion and romance. It’s free, and you might just find your poetic ideal or distant dream.

After lunch, we took the metro to May Fourth Square.

May Fourth Square is one of Qingdao’s iconic landmarks, located on Donghai West Road, Shinan District. Facing the Qingdao Municipal Government Building to the north and Fushan Bay to the south, it’s named because Qingdao was the spark of the May Fourth Movement.

Fushan Bay was the sailing venue for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Here also stands China’s first offshore 100-meter fountain.

The central landmark is a steel structure weighing over 500 tons, shaped like a blazing flame or a swirling wind, hence named “Wind of May.” It symbolizes the enduring patriotism of the Chinese nation, like a powerful wind and an eternal flame – definitely worth a visit and photo!

· Qingdao Guest House

Qingdao Guest House is the former German Governor’s Mansion, nestled at the foot of picturesque Signal Hill Park, facing the Ocean University of China and the Christian Church – an elegant setting.

This German castle-style building exudes European royal grandeur, with luxurious interior layouts that immerse you in a regal European atmosphere.

It’s also a museum, housing rare treasures from East and West, and the wine cellar is quite unique – worth touring.

[PS] Address: 26 Longshan Road, Shinan District, Qingdao. Buses: 225, 25 and more. Free entry with online reservation. Avoid using cameras inside.

· Qingdao Signal Hill

After the Guest House at the foot of Signal Hill, we naturally wanted to climb up.

Signal Hill isn’t tall at 98 meters, but it’s the highest point in downtown Qingdao. The design is ingenious, especially the three red-domed mushroom towers of varying heights, symbolizing the three red signal torches used in ancient China.

From Signal Hill, you can overlook the Guest House, and on a clear day from the observation tower, a panoramic view of Qingdao unfolds. Also free with advance reservation by time slot.

· Qingdao Posts & Telecommunications Museum

The Qingdao Posts & Telecommunications Museum (former German Jiaozhou Post Office) built in 1901 is one of the oldest surviving post office buildings in Qingdao, a century-old gem.

The first floor is free, featuring a reception hall, antique telephone wall, Jiaozhou 1901 slow post, and souvenir shop. Upper floors charge separately; visitors said there wasn’t much to see – maybe they just weren’t interested. We skipped it as closing time neared.

Address: 5 Anhui Road, Shinan District, junction of Anhui and Guangxi Roads. Hours: May–Oct: 9:30-18:00.

· A Local Favorite Time-Honored Eatery

For dinner, we tried a chain of local specialty food popular with Qingdao residents, at 22 Henan Road, Shinan District.

Sweet & Sour Pork was pleasant on its own but didn’t pair well with rice or alcohol.

Mackerel Dumplings and Pork, Chives & Shrimp Dumplings are must-orders, but we found them mediocre, not as good as the earlier dumpling house.

Fragrant Spicy Small Seafood was neither fragrant nor spicy.

Oil-Braised Prawns, said to be a local specialty, cost 38 yuan each – just ordinary.

Seaweed Jelly Salad, made from seaweed, was refreshing and appetizing. Overall, Sanheyuan wasn’t cheap, and the taste wasn’t as great as we’d hoped – just passable, not as good as the earlier specialty places we found ourselves.

The weather turned sunny again, perfect for photos. In Qingdao, while many tourists flock to well-known downtown sights, there’s a road many don’t know about or are unsure about visiting – Guantao Road.

· Automobile Road – Guantao Road

Guantao Road is one of China’s earliest automobile roads. In 1910, the country’s first bus station was established and operated right here in Qingdao.

The road is lined with many modern historical buildings, some excellent architectural heritage from various European countries.

For example, the former German Senior Seamen’s Apartment (1910), the former Qingdao branch of the Japanese Dalian Steamship Co., and the former Danish Consulate (1913) – all worth a look.

Guantao Road also houses the Road Traffic Museum and the Qingdao Financial Museum (open 8:30-16:30, combo ticket 50 yuan, single 30 yuan). Now it’s also a national defense education base.

At 22 Guantao Road is the former Qingdao Stock Exchange from 1920, with a separate 50 yuan entry fee.

Nowadays, many young people seeking vintage or trendy vibes come here, gradually turning it into a social media-famous road. The buildings on both sides make for awesome photos!

· Qingdao Catholic Church

Later that afternoon, we visited the Qingdao Catholic Church on Zhejiang Road, Shinan District. The light was warm and soft.

The church is built with granite and reinforced concrete, adorned with simple, elegant motifs. Semi-circular arched windows and flowing lines give it a solemn yet understated beauty. Above the door, a giant rose window; flanking it, two bell towers 56 meters tall.

The red-tiled conical spires each hold a 4.5-meter cross, and four large bells hang inside – when they ring, the sound carries for miles. We couldn’t go inside as it wasn’t open for visits, so we only admired the exterior for free.

The sky above the church was incredibly clear. With good weather, the drone could capture Little Qingdao, Zhanqiao, Signal Hill, and a full panorama of Qingdao and Huiquan Bay.

Diagonally opposite the church is Qingdao Study, worth a visit if you have time.

Qingdao Study was once Anna Villa. The first floor is a public aesthetics area: a whole wall of Qingdao-themed postcards collaborated with photographers.

The second floor is a book section, neatly dividing Qingdao series, literature, and lifestyle books, including many Taiwanese editions. You can sit and read, or chat.

The third floor is the Kappler Restaurant, blending German Nuremberg flavors with Qingdao local cuisine, using early 20th-century German 800 silver dinnerware and 60s Royal Doulton gold-rimmed antique china.

As the sun set, we stumbled upon a beautiful scene. Life is full of such encounters – hope each one is special and colorful.

· Beijing Flavor in a Strange City

After the sunset, we encountered Lucky Spring Pancake & Roast Duck at Xinye Plaza.

Though not local food, the decor and dishes felt authentically Beijing-style.

Lucky Roast Duck with Spring Pancakes: generous portion of duck, sauce to our taste, wrapped in thin spring pancakes – absolute comfort!

Lucky Fruit & Veg Salad: so refreshing after the duck, with plenty of dressing – super delicious!

Spicy Shredded Pork: good with drinks, full of fragrance and spice, visually appealing, but a bit too salty – maybe the chef was distracted and added salt twice!

Overall, this restaurant is worth a try, though service could be warmer and more proactive.

Address: (Qingdao) 3rd Floor, F3-22, Xinye Plaza, 100 Liaoyang West Road. Hours: 10:30–21:00.

A city of leisure and stories, a fresh and light-lux B&B: Evening Breeze · Ink Green

Over 40 square meters, fresh and quiet, clean and cozy. Understated yet subtly luxurious, with good light and ventilation, well-equipped – suitable for business travel, short stays, or long-term living.

Crisp giant projector screen, artsy chill-out bar, cool AC, and a well-partitioned bathroom.

The host was very warm, proactively contacting us with check-in procedures, location maps, elevator card pick-up, door code, Wi-Fi, delivery address, plus photos and videos to pinpoint the building – so thoughtful, thumbs up!

Open kitchen with microwave, induction cooker, range hood, basic utensils, mini fridge, and washing machine made life easy.

It would be even better if disposable cotton slippers were provided – plastic slippers felt a bit chilly these days in Qingdao, and cotton would reduce cross-contamination. Also, a drying rack on the balcony would be handy.

Located at 66 Shaoxing Road, Qingdao, near bus 307. Evening Breeze is on the 9th floor of Building 5, room 951. Elevator card access and door code add security. Downstairs, supermarkets and restaurants make life convenient.

We really liked Evening Breeze B&B – worth recommending. Good night!

Day 5: Another day sleeping in, strolling, tasting food… then we witnessed the most stunning sunset glow at Zhanqiao during this trip!

As the setting sun gilded the train station and its surroundings, Zhanqiao Scenic Area burst into its most vibrant colors.

If you miss Zhanqiao in Qingdao, it’s like skipping the Bund in Shanghai – always packed, rain or shine, crowds never stop.

At Zhanqiao, different weather and times show different beauty. I love the sunset afterglow and the gradually lit night scene best.

It’s more than just warmth and comfort – sea breeze, waves, people chasing the tide… it’s poetry, a painting, a flowing rhythm, a distant dream right in front of you!

Zhanqiao Pier lies at the southern end of bustling Zhongshan Road, jutting into the crescent-shaped Qingdao Bay. It’s 440 meters long and 8 meters wide, with a traditional two-story octagonal pavilion called Huilan Pavilion. By day, you watch surging waves; by night, listen to the tide lapping. “Flying Pavilion, Swirling Waves” is one of Qingdao’s Ten Scenic Spots.

As lights flicker on, many visitors still go down to the beach to wade, collect shells, catch crabs… having a great time.

· Traps to Avoid: Every city has its highlights and its less glamorous sides. Here are a few things I personally found not worth it or outright rip-offs, just for reference, so you don’t step in the same puddle.

Trap 1: Qingdao Donglai Art Museum. It’s the former Donglai Bank building. The exterior looks good, but when we wanted to enter after lunch at 2pm, we found all doors locked inside. After calling out, a staff member groggily said, “You want to go in? Many areas aren’t open… ticket is 100 yuan!”

100 yuan and much of it closed? The Beijing Forbidden City with all its treasures is only half that price! Not worth it at all; you won’t see much. Take a photo at the gate and leave.

Trap 2: German Prison Site Museum. First, what’s educational? Using an old German prison as a paid attraction feels off; if for patriotic education, it should be free.

Tickets are 25 yuan. We stood at the entrance taking exterior photos – not a single visitor entered. A local told us, “What’s to see inside? It’s unlucky. Go enjoy the sea breeze and an ice pop – that’s nicer.” So we left.

Trap 3: “Time Spinning” at 29 Zhongshan Road, Shinan District – barbecue and seafood. Lured by the name and quirky decor, but the service was just as quirky.

Terrible attitude, few dishes, slow service – each dish came only after repeated reminders. From the first dish to the last, it took over an hour and a half! Slow service we could live with, but the waitress’s attitude was awful: when we asked about missing dishes, she said, “Everything’s been served, what else do you want?” She didn’t even know how many dishes we ordered, as if we were trying to get extra food. The female boss even came to our table to “inspect” our leftovers, as if we might be hiding food. So rude to out-of-town guests! When they realized indeed a dish was missing, they just turned away – not a word of apology. Never again!

Trap 4: Victoria Holiday Hotel. The name sounds grand, but it’s not. Located at 76 Hunan Road near the train station, less than 200 meters from Metro Exit E – so convenient. Service was warm, and the reserved king room was clean, but the bathroom stank terribly. As soon as you opened the door, the whole room reeked of sewer gas! Blocking all drains and the sink, and closing the door did nothing. The front desk said all rooms were like that because it’s on the ground floor; nothing could be done. Even though the hotel claimed to be newly renovated this year, the bathroom was poorly handled – not only smelly but leaking, with damp walls in the room and hallway. Great location, but we didn’t dare stay; checked out early next morning.

· Goodbye, Qingdao!

Alright, Qingdao – a city with endless architecture, stories, charm, and sea breezes to savor…

My first trip to Qingdao was mainly a deep downtown experience. In five days, I saw, ate, felt, and lived it. Overall, Qingdao is a warm, inclusive, and compact coastal city full of history and interest, blending seaside leisure and gourmet delights. The downtown alone can entertain you for five days. I believe I’ll fly back someday – to hike Laoshan Mountain overlooking the sea, to set sail from the Olympic Sailing Center. Goodbye, Qingdao!