Memory Ripples: Collecting Qingdao's Rainy Day Beauty
Talking about this trip
I’ve been backpacking on the road for 8 years; travel is my profession. Please follow: Xiongying Wangjun, sharing travel stories daily.
Those who follow me know I often travel to Sanya, but rarely to Qingdao, which is equally famous and dubbed “North Qingdao, South Sanya.” So recently, taking advantage of the “Qingdao Ocean Romance and Wedding Culture Week,” I came to Qingdao for a holiday, and this travelogue was born.
During my time in Qingdao, I visited 10 representative attractions, and I’d say this trip was nearly perfect—I hit almost every spot I wanted to see. Without further ado, follow me to discover where I went!
This Qingdao trip lasted 3 days and 2 nights, 72 hours, so the list of places is quite long.
D1: Qingdao North Railway Station → Qingdao Kunlun Heyue Hotel (Olympic Sailing Center & May Fourth Square branch) → Xiaoyushan → Haier World Home Appliance Museum → Rushi Bookstore
D2: Yan’erdao Mountain Park → Hisense Discovery Center → Sea and Sky Art Center → Qingdao Forbidden City Cultural and Creative Museum → Qingdao Kunlun Heyue Hotel (Olympic Sailing Center & May Fourth Square branch)
D3: Daxue Road Instagrammable Wall → Longjiang Road → Little Qingdao → Wheat Island
Xiaoyushan is located north of the eastern section of Laiyang Road in Qingdao, at the southeast corner of the Yushan campus of Ocean University of China. At 60 meters above sea level, it is Qingdao’s first classical-style hilltop garden park.
Xiaoyushan is one of my favorite spots, mainly because the view is simply superb. Looking down from on high, you can take in all the surrounding scenery in one sweeping glance, giving you a sudden sense of grandeur.
And during my stay in Qingdao the weather hadn’t been great—rain kept falling—but at Xiaoyushan, the sky actually cleared for a while. My friends and I captured plenty of lovely portraits.
Leaving Xiaoyushan, we headed to the Haier World Home Appliance Museum. With the “Qingdao Ocean Romance and Wedding Culture Week” in full swing, the streets were brimming with a sweet, romantic vibe. This place has become a love-themed Instagrammable spot, so of course I couldn’t miss it.
The Haier World Home Appliance Museum has turned into a love sanctuary—the rainbow rooftop outside is a must-visit Instagram spot in Qingdao.
As I expected, the museum’s collection is incredibly rich, arranged chronologically to tell the story of how various appliances evolved. Listening to the guide, I learned quite a lot～
If you ask me what the right way to experience Qingdao is, I’d definitely recommend trying the slow life at Rushi Bookstore.
After the museum, night had fallen before we knew it. After a quick discussion, we decided to check out Rushi Bookstore.
Rushi Bookstore is the largest privately owned independent bookstore in Shandong. Its distinctive art-and-literary style and fresh, minimalist décor add plenty of mystery.
I have to say, sitting down in the bookstore, ordering a coffee, reading a while, and occasionally looking up at the tranquil ocean beyond—soothing to the heart.
As night deepened, we popped into the bar next to the bookstore, ordered some food and a drink, and listened to the band’s emotional singing.
Song after song by JJ Lin seemed to carry my thoughts back to younger days. I still remember those familiar tunes in my MP3 player—they held my youth and my dreams.
Early on the second morning, I took a taxi with friends to Yan’erdao Mountain Park for a stroll. To be honest, the park isn’t very famous, but the wooden boardwalk by the sea and the vast ocean make everything feel especially quiet.
Walking along that boardwalk felt like being transported to Jeju Island in Korea. Breathing the fresh air—maybe that’s a kind of happiness.
Hisense Discovery Center
The second stop on the second day was the Hisense Discovery Center, a comprehensive science exploration and popularization base. With the philosophy that “success comes from curiosity,” it’s China’s first new-type science museum that segments by age, knowledge, and area.
The center is uniquely laid out as “five halls, one lounge, one world”—the Science Enlightenment Hall, Science Discovery Hall, Nature Exploration Hall, World Consumer Electronics Museum, Hisense History and Culture Hall, 25Plus Coffee (city living room), and the World of Display, covering themes from science and nature to history.
If you’re on a family trip, this place is spot on.
After lunch, in a cool drizzle, we arrived at Qingdao’s latest Instagrammable hotspot, the Sea and Sky Art Center. After security, we entered and were whisked by elevator up to the 330-meter-high observation deck on the 81st floor.
As the name suggests, the city observation deck features a 360° fully transparent viewing area. Standing by the glass, you can take in the red tiles and green trees neatly arranged below, and the skyscrapers of the bustling city.
Even landmarks like Zhanqiao Pier and Badaguan are vivid from here. Occasionally, a patch of cloud and mist drifted by, blocking the view, and I had that feeling of “dare not speak loudly, for fear of disturbing the heavenly beings.” Without a doubt, this place is a must-visit on any Qingdao trip.
On this misty, drizzly day, my friends and I continued in high spirits to the Qingdao Forbidden City Cultural and Creative Museum next to Zhanqiao Pier.
The museum is huge. The first floor displays many creative products related to the Forbidden City, in a hall designed in a classical, antique style.
The second floor houses a 3.0 digital theme gallery based on “Along the River During the Qingming Festival.” Stepping inside is an immersive, interactive experience of “one step into the scroll, and you dream back a thousand years in a day,” deeply awe-inspiring.
Worth mentioning is the trendy café beside the cultural creative hall on the first floor. Order a coffee, sit by the glass window, and glance out across the bed—the near Zhanqiao scenery unfolds right before your eyes, so relaxing.
In a blink, the delightful Qingdao trip was drawing to a close. My friends and I headed to the Daxue Road Instagrammable Wall and Longjiang Road. The Instagrammable Wall on Daxue Road is no stranger to anyone who has been to Qingdao—everyone knows that this stretch of red walls and green tiles is a must-photo hot spot.
So, naturally, the crowds were thick. My companions and I waited over twenty minutes before it was our turn to snap a picture.
But actually, besides the wall on Daxue Road, the old town is full of interesting graffiti, like on Longjiang Road. For someone with time to spare like me, just wandering and looking around is quite fun.
Strolling through the old town, we stumbled upon Little Qingdao. Because its shape resembles an ancient zither, it’s also affectionately called “Qin Dao.”
The island is over 370 meters from the eastern shore, connected to the mainland by a long sea dike. It was once part of the mainland, separated over countless years by the relentless pounding of waves.
The island is small but very quiet. Walking along the coastline, feeling the sea breeze, and watching boats sail by every now and then—my heart was incredibly serene.
After exploring Little Qingdao, we took a taxi to the final stop, Wheat Island. Wheat Island needs little introduction: its scenery is truly beautiful and very unspoiled, which is why it has become one of Qingdao’s hottest Instagrammable spots.
Unfortunately, the weather didn’t cooperate. Just as we set foot on the island, a downpour began. The group scurrying for shelter became the classic closing scene of the trip. Three days passed in a flash—I’m already looking forward to my next Qinqdao adventure.
When traveling, the most important and urgent task is making a plan. Now, let me share my own way of preparing.
Items I brought on this trip:
① ID card – the first and most important thing; you need it for hotels and all forms of transport.
② Bank card – in this age of convenient mobile payments, you can get by without one, but I still suggest carrying it, just in case.
2. Photography gear:
Camera: Canon 6D2
Lenses: 16-35 F4.0 (wide-angle), 17-40 F4.0 (wide-angle), 50 F1.8 (prime), 85 F1.4 (prime), 70-200 F2.8 (telephoto)
Drone: DJI Mavic Air
Phone: Vivo phone (image quality isn’t great, but handy for street snaps). Accessories: shutter release, tripod, ND filter, spare batteries ×2, camera bag, portable fill light, etc.
3. Personal items:
① Clothing – if you’re not fussy, I’d say keep it light and casual. If you care about style, bring outfits that suit the settings.
② Toiletries – in addition to toothbrush, toothpaste, towel, and skincare products, if you’re not used to hotel supplies, bring your own familiar items.
③ Umbrella – I don’t know about you, but whenever I forget my umbrella, it rains. So I recommend bringing one; it’s light and extremely practical.
4. Optional items:
① Laptop – as a professional traveler, I need a laptop for editing photos and writing. For average tourists, I’d suggest leaving it at home.
② Small change – if you take taxis everywhere, costs add up. Have some change handy for when you take the bus.
About food and drink
I can’t remember when it started, but every trip to Qingdao seems to include a Japanese meal, and this time was no different. I chose a popular online restaurant: Shengxian Cuisine.
Stepping inside, my first impression was the authentically Japanese décor. For me, who hasn’t been to Japan in a while, it brought back lots of memories.
With eager anticipation, I waited for the chefs to work their magic, and soon dish after dish arrived.
I have to say, the spot prawn sashimi I ordered was my favorite. The vibrant color, the fresh sweetness—perfect for sashimi. Plus it’s packed with protein and highly nutritious, delicious and healthy, just great.
Kansai-style sukiyaki is reportedly one of their signature dishes. Made with premium yellow beef from southwestern Shandong, a secret broth, and raw egg, the texture is simply out of this world. After the beef, add some vegetables—warm and nourishing in early autumn.
Nigiri sushi, handcrafted, is the luxury of sushi. The proportion of sushi vinegar to rice is perfect—truly delicious.
Because I have a friend working in Qingdao who heard I was in town, they treated me to a meal. I visited his workplace, Qianxi Winery. I also had the chance to taste their fine liquor—smooth and mellow, easy to drink without a strong bite.
Then we enjoyed a lavish meal, and I must say, the food was excellent. Sipping fine wine, savoring good food—what a wonderful feeling. Even now, looking back from afar, I can’t help giving it a thumbs up.
As a tourist city, Qingdao offers no shortage of accommodation—star hotels, budget chains, B&Bs, you name it. As for me, I chose a regular hotel with moderate pricing.
Qingdao Kunlun Heyue Hotel (Olympic Sailing Center & May Fourth Square branch)
The location is excellent, making it convenient to go anywhere. The environment is nice, the rooms especially spacious, clean, and hygienic, and the breakfast quite rich. Best of all, it’s very close to the sea—just a short walk away. Strolling along the beach in the morning felt wonderfully refreshing.
