[GO WITH ME] 3 Days, 2 Nights: Explore the Healing City of Qingdao

“Facing the sea, with spring blossoms” — a poem by Haizi sparked in me, raised in an inland city, an immense yearning for the sea. After graduating from university in 2015, without much thought, I moved to Qingdao alone, eager to be close to the sea every day. Now, after six springs and summers in this city, it has become my second home. Yet it still feels fresh and alluring to me. Whenever I sit on the beach, my eyes filled with the diamond-like sparkle of the waves, my ears filled with the crisp sound of the surf, in that instant, the loneliness of living alone and the frustrations of long working days vanish completely. Then I know my heart has been healed, and everything brightens. I’m grateful for the surprises, freedom, and inspiration this city has given me, and I hope you can feel the warmth of this city through this travelogue.

Day 1: Zhanqiao Pier – St. Michael’s Cathedral – Daxue Road – Signal Hill – Christ Church

Evening: Taitung Night Market (I’ll detail this in Part 3~)

Transport: Metro Line 3 / Metro Line 2

[Zhanqiao Pier] is one of Qingdao’s most famous sights—not just because it’s by the sea, but because here you can find the essence of old Qingdao. Walking along Zhongshan Road away from the sea, you’ll find bluestone paths, old buildings, graffiti walls, and [St. Michael’s Cathedral] — a blend of East and West, a collision of past and present. That’s what makes Qingdao so distinctive.

At some point, the red walls and yellow tiles along [Daxue Road] became a must-visit Instagram spot for young travelers to Qingdao. In fact, it’s just the outer wall of the Qingdao Contemporary Art Museum, but its vibrant colors, along with the street corners bearing street signs for Yushan Road and Daxue Road, have given it a new life. Walk up Yushan Road, and trust me—every street and alley along the way is a little surprise. Just stand at an alley entrance, even a casual snapshot, and you’ll get a photo so beautiful it’ll make your friends jealous. Pictures prove it.

A walk of about ten minutes brings you to [Signal Hill] and [Christ Church]. If you’ve ever seen three round red balls on a distant hill from somewhere, that’s actually the revolving observatory on Signal Hill. And from Signal Hill, you can definitely see the European-style pointed bell tower — that’s the Christ Church below. From sunrise to sunset, looking up and looking down, Qingdao’s beauty unfolds at the intersection of time and space.

Day 2: Zhongshan Park – Badaguan – Qingdao Underwater World

Evening: May Fourth Square – Olympic Sailing Center – Lovers’ Dam

Transport: Metro Line 3 can take you there

[Zhongshan Park]

Many cities have a Zhongshan Park, just as many places have a People’s Square—it’s ordinary. Spacious plazas, large statues, their political significance far outweighing their aesthetic value. But Qingdao’s Zhongshan Park is different. Imagine, right in the city center, you can enjoy different scenery all year round. That alone makes it treasured and enticing. Plum blossoms in February, cherry blossoms and magnolias in April, peonies and water lilies in July, chrysanthemums in October… Each season has its own views, each season has its charm.

The eight roads are all named after famous passes of the Great Wall, hence the name 'Badaguan' (Eight Passes). This is also where cultural architecture and natural scenery complement each other most harmoniously. If you want to take those refreshingly pretty photos that trend across the internet, this is a spot you can't miss. Every spring and summer, many soon-to-be-married couples choose Badaguan as their outdoor wedding photo location, which has undoubtedly become a unique sight in Badaguan. Huashi Villa and Princess Villa are the only two attractions in Badaguan that require tickets. Personally, I think admiring their exterior architecture is more beautiful than the inside, so going inside isn’t that important. However, if you like history, I highly recommend going in.

[Qingdao Underwater World]

I think underwater worlds across the country are pretty similar, just differing in scale. I won’t elaborate much on Qingdao Underwater World here, since I haven’t been there myself (haha). But I have visited the Jellyfish Museum about 100 meters from the Underwater World—it’s small but I highly recommend it~

[May Fourth Square, Olympic Sailing Center, Lovers’ Dam]

I suggest visiting this route at night. Have dinner nearby, then stroll towards May Fourth Square like a longtime Qingdao local. When night falls, the sky darkens, and the lights come on, Qingdao transforms into a different appearance. Walk along the coastline, pass through the Olympic Sailing Center, and arrive at Lovers’ Dam. The crowds thin out, leaving only lights, music, and the waves. At this moment, nothing beats sitting down and quietly waiting for a glimmer of light to suddenly appear on the dark sea.

Day 3: Huangdao Golden Beach

Transport: Tunnel Bus 5 / Tunnel Bus 1 / Tunnel Bus 6

Best time to visit: If you want to swim, it’s best to go from late June to August. If you just want to see the scenery, anytime is ok.

Golden Beach is a beach I really love. Perhaps because it’s far from the city center, there are relatively fewer people here—it’s quieter and cleaner. At Golden Beach, all you see is the sand, the sea, and the sky. Take off your shoes and socks to feel the soft, sun-warmed fine sand, and a warmth flows from your soles to your heart. It’s as if you melt in that moment, wanting nothing more than to lie lazily there, letting the sun shine down and the breeze caress you. If you want a close encounter with the waves, roll up your pants and chase the waves like a child, playing until you’re splashed all over and your legs are tired. Then return to the shore, sit back on the sand, and quietly wait for the sun to dry your clothes and the sound of the waves to carry away your fatigue. This is the perfect moment to return to the hustle and bustle of work and life.

To me, Golden Beach is healing medicine. Every time I come here, it feels like life’s pause button has been pressed. I empty my tense mind, unload life’s burdens, and just quietly lie on the sand, thinking of nothing, doing nothing, willfully listening to the sound of time slipping through my fingers and the next moment quietly arriving. Everything is so beautiful. Of course, Golden Beach also offers many fun activities, like jet skis, banana boats, bubble balls, skydiving, etc. Those who want to play should give them a try~

If you have more time, you can go climb Mount Laoshan. Although it’s far from the city center, it’s well worth the trip.

[The Crowd-Pleasing Taitung Night Market]

There are two famous night markets in downtown Qingdao: Taitung Night Market and Licun Night Market. Licun Night Market is quite far from the tourist spots, so I won’t recommend it here. Let’s focus on Taitung Night Market. Taitung Night Market is large, with several nearby streets all selling food. The variety is great, the prices are fair, so you’re bound to find a couple of things you like. Here are a few stalls I always eat at without fail.

★ Changxing Road – Jing’s Takoyaki

Soft and tender takoyaki balls, generously filled—just writing about them makes my mouth water.

★ Changxing Road – Wuhan Hot Dry Noodles

Since I’ve never had authentic Wuhan hot dry noodles, in my mind, this shop’s version is the real deal. A special reminder: their noodles are quite spicy. If you’re not a spicy eater, you can tell them no spice or less spice, or just pair it with a cup of their soy milk.

★ Changxing Road – Grilled Cold Noodles

At the end of Changxing Road, there’s a grilled cold noodle stall that’s relatively large and always crowded. Their selling point is that you can add many ingredients, with a wide variety of choices, and the taste is pretty good (though a notch below the ones in Northeast China). If you like it, pile it on.

★ Changxing Road – From Myeongdong

For fried chicken and tteokbokki, I only go to From Myeongdong. First, their amber fried chicken really wins my heart—a sweet and spicy sauce paired with crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside fried chicken, OMG I’m drooling again~

[Unnamed Snack Shop: Better When Eaten Outdoors]

A tiny hole-in-the-wall near Zhanqiao Pier, with such a small storefront that in all my many visits, I’ve never actually eaten inside. But I forgive it for their insanely delicious braised prawns and dry-fried green beans. I remember they start serving dinner around 5 p.m., so it’s best to call ahead and check before going.

[Wang Jie Barbecue: Always a Line]

If Unnamed Snack Shop is a hole-in-the-wall, Wang Jie Barbecue is even smaller—just a single stall. But the taste is great, and it’s definitely a ‘dear to the heart’ for Qingdao locals. Tender skewers of meat, fresh grilled squid, plus chicken hearts and cartilage—there’s not a single miss on the menu. Everyone can enjoy with confidence. Of course, Wang Jie Barbecue is everywhere in Qingdao, with several on Zhongshan Road alone. But for the most authentic one, look for the stall with the longest queue and the most people on Zhongshan Road.

[Bagged Beer Sold by the Catty]

The novelty of bagged beer lies in the container—the beer inside is just ordinary Tsingtao Beer. It has to be said that Qingdao people have a deep affection for beer. Starting in spring, near residential areas, outside convenience stores, vegetable shops, and other small shops, as long as you see a large silver-white pressure tank, there’s bound to be bagged beer for sale. For Qingdao locals, a summer with beer and clams is the real summer.

Actually, Qingdao has many great eateries, but they’re either a bit far from the scenic spots or not the most distinctive. Still, let me recommend a few; if you have time or are a foodie friend, you can give them a try.

Most of Qingdao’s main attractions are scattered along the coastline in Shinan District, so for accommodation, I suggest staying near May Fourth Square or Zhanqiao Pier, which makes sightseeing more convenient. However, there are a couple of issues: one is the price, and the other is the lodging experience itself. Shinan is the center of Qingdao and a hub for many tourist spots, so prices are naturally higher, and accommodation might be a tad pricier. Also, being close to the sea means the air is humid, so I suggest that readers with sensitive skin bring their own bedding and take precautions.

Handy Tips:

? The best seasons to visit Qingdao are May through July and September through October; otherwise, it’s either very hot or very cold.

? Never eat at the food stalls near Zhanqiao Pier—they are a real rip-off. I’ve experienced it myself, so I hope you don’t fall into that trap.

? There are two types of taxis in Qingdao: regular ones and premium ones (regular taxis are just ordinary, while premium taxis are usually black, offer a slightly better ride, but cost more). When hailing a taxi at the airport, if you don’t want a premium taxi, simply tell the security guard, 'No premium taxi,' and that’s fine.

? You don’t need to join a tour group in Qingdao—independent travel will actually give you a better experience. I’ve always felt that Qingdao is a city meant for slowing down, to discover and feel bit by bit. So, if time permits, don’t pack your schedule too tightly.