National Day Holiday in Romantic Qingdao: Admiring Old Town Autumn, Red Tiles & Green Trees, Blue Sea & Clear Sky

Qingdao, known as the Pearl of the Yellow Sea, is a national historical and cultural city, and also carries the titles of Island of Music, Sailing Capital, Film Capital, and City of Museums. They say autumn in Qingdao blends romance with exotic charm, where you can fully express the most poetic feelings of your heart. From Xiaoyushan and Signal Hill, you overlook the classic scene of "red tiles and green trees, blue sea and clear sky"; in Badaguan, the "World Architecture Expo" is nestled among the foliage. Qingdao’s autumn is like God knocked over the palette, pouring the most beautiful colors over this city. As the only Chinese city selected as one of the World's Most Beautiful Bays, with Olympic sailing and SCO witness, sailing, surfing, and diving showcase the speed and passion of fashionable Qingdao. For this National Day holiday, I chose the romantic city of Qingdao without hesitation.

During the National Day holiday, the autumn air was crisp, the sky high and clouds pale. The festive atmosphere was everywhere. Due to limited time and not driving, I arranged this three-day Qingdao National Day leisure trip all around the Shinan District area.

Day 1: High-speed train directly to Qingdao. In the afternoon, visited the Haixia Art Center. In the evening, checked into the Kunlun Heyue Hotel right next to the Olympic Sailing Center, and had dumplings for dinner at the Dumpling Research Institute by the sea. Day 2: Wandered around Wheat Island, Signal Hill, Longjiang Road; lunch at the century-old Chunhelou restaurant for authentic Lu cuisine; in the afternoon, strolled to St. Michael's Cathedral and Badaguan; at night, took a boat cruise on Fushan Bay to enjoy the spectacular night view. Day 3: Visited Zhanqiao Pier, the Post and Telecommunications Museum, Liangyou Bookstore, then took the high-speed train back.

Haixia Cloud Art Center

Our first stop in Qingdao was the landmark Haixia Center, the tallest building in Qingdao. Located on the bustling coastal main road, it faces the sea to the south, connects to the historic cultural veins of Badaguan to the west, and leads to the economic and cultural vibrant CBD area to the east. We visited the city observation deck and the Cloud Art Center on the T2 tower of Haixia Center.

The observation deck is on the 81st floor of T2, 330 meters above ground, the first super-high vertical observation platform in Shandong Province. With four high-speed elevators, it takes only 45 seconds from the B1 ticket hall to the 81st floor.

Inside, it's a 360° fully transparent observation area. From the charming red tiles and green trees, to the towering skyscrapers of the bustling city, to the ocean that intertwines silence with ecstasy; from sunny mountains, sea and clouds to the lights and stars after dark. Just by walking around, you can take in every facet of Qingdao.

The Haixia City Observation Deck also created the country's first cantilevered panoramic glass viewing platforms—glass boxes. There are three glass boxes, each holding 5-8 people. Standing in one, you can overlook the city as if suspended in air, blending with the natural scenery outside, and feel the magical experience of clouds flowing beneath your feet.

The Cloud Art Center on the 80th floor is Qingdao's first high-altitude art center and currently the tallest art museum in China. It hosts the exhibition "Beauty in Harmony—Classic Artworks from the National Art Museum of China Collection Across Time and World", the first exhibition under the strategic cooperation framework between the National Art Museum of China and the Qingdao Municipal People's Government.

The exhibition selects 69 classic artworks from the museum's collection, including Pablo Picasso's "The Infantryman with a Bird", Xu Beihong's "Horse", Qi Baishi's "Grasshopper", Andy Warhol's "Portrait of Peter Ludwig", and Wu Weishan's "Sleeping Child" which won the Pangolin Prize from the Royal British Society of Sculptors in 2003. Spanning a century of creation, these masterpieces illuminate the night sky of human civilization.

For accommodation, considering the itinerary, I chose the Qingdao Kunlun Heyue Resort Hotel located in the famous scenic area—Olympic Sailing Center. With convenient transportation and prime location, it's right next to the center. It's easy to take a morning stroll at Yandao Hill Park by the sea and have dinner at the Lovers' Dam Food Plaza in the evening.

The lobby is spacious and bright, the service meticulous, the pandemic prevention measures safe and effective—every detail is well taken care of.

The room is clean and tidy, fairly spacious, with a tea table and chairs by the window, very pleasant for relaxing. The bedding is brand-name and comfortable. The hotel offers free breakfast with a wide variety, and I was very satisfied with the two-night stay.

Beautiful scenery and delicious food go hand in hand: Qingdao is not only picturesque but also a capital of marine cuisine. Autumn brings colorful scenery and bountiful seafood. Northerners often eat dumplings, and at the Lovers' Dam Food Plaza, I saw a Dumpling Research Institute for the first time.

Any seafood dumpling you desire can be made and tasted here. The most special are the multicolored dumplings: Spanish mackerel, cuttlefish, shrimp, and yellow croaker dumplings—every bite of these varied flavors had me raving.

When in Qingdao, besides beer, two other drinks are must-tries: Laoshan Cola and Laoshan Baihua Snake Grass Water, both local internet-famous beverages. I found the cola quite tasty, but the snake grass water was an acquired taste I didn't quite accept.

In autumn, Qingdao’s temperature is perfect—neither hot nor cold. With a couple of friends, sitting outdoors at a restaurant, enjoying the sea breeze, seafood, and dumplings with drinks ('the more you drink, the more you have' as the saying goes), admiring the light show across the bay—such a beautiful feeling.

This trip to Qingdao coincided with the launch of the "2021 Qingdao Ocean Romance Culture Week," which released many travel check-in routes and products themed "Old Town Autumn Charm, Vows of Love." Following the recommendation, I first headed to Wheat Island!

Wheat Island Park is located 50 meters west of Maidao Road in Laoshan District, connected to the mainland by just one road, facing the city across the sea. The whole island is like a garden, with large flat grassy areas, azure sea in the distance, and an untouched natural environment. There's a walking path around the island, offering 360-degree sea views and distant coastline vistas.

Wheat Island is very popular among young people, turning into a famous social media hotspot. You'll see couples strolling hand in hand on the boardwalk, enjoying coastal views, or sitting quietly together on the small hills of the island, leaning on each other—scene romantic and cozy. Watching the sea rhythmically lap against the rocks, feeling the gentle breeze on your face—utterly peaceful. The sea, hills, breezes, rocks, against a backdrop of blue sky and lush green slopes, a picturesque sweet scene naturally comes to mind.

The colors of Wheat Island in autumn are enchanting: the brown wooden boardwalk by the sea, lush green slopes, low grey stone walls, deep blue sea, and reefs—all blend together, full of life and vitality.

Qingdao is definitely an artsy and youthful city. Walking into Longjiang Road, you'll see queues of couples taking wedding photos. Originally the road in front of the former German Governor's Mansion garden, it now exudes a vintage romantic vibe.

Red tiles, grey walls, red-and-green windows, a sea-blue awning, ivy climbing from the ground to the rooftop—the café and the small building match perfectly in style, and its name "Bu She Zhou Ye" (Not Wishing Day or Night to End) evokes endless romantic thoughts.

A landmark photo spot on Longjiang Road, the Totoro wall that went viral online, features adorable graffiti that makes you feel like you're in a Japanese alley, full of childlike romance, instantly transporting you to a Miyazaki summer. Young visitors all come here to take photos.

Cafés, bookshops, restaurants, and hostels abound, all pretty and unique, exuding a foreign flair. Graffiti and murals are full of creativity, blending trendy elements with century-old trees and courtyards. New and old cultures mix here, attracting countless tourists, hipsters, and wedding photography crews.

Signal Hill is located southeast of Guanxiang Hill, southwest of Qingdao Hill, in the core of Qingdao's "red tiles, green trees, blue sea, clear sky" landscape. Originally named Dashi Mountain and Guaqi Mountain, at 98 meters above sea level, it got its name from the signal station that directed ships entering and exiting the port. Autumn on Signal Hill is a great place for enjoying green scenery and an excellent spot to climb and overlook Qingdao.

Most visitors here are young people, hiking in the shade and enjoying the views, which eases fatigue. Signal Hill has many thoughtfully designed viewing platforms and scenic spots—besides the familiar revolving observation tower, there are leisure corridors, winding paths, mushroom pavilions, etc. Tourists can rest in various spots on the hill, relaxing both body and mind.

Climb Signal Hill, and you'll see half of Qingdao. Mountains and sea accompany red buildings; the marks of history, artistic colors, and old street style make Signal Hill. Come to Signal Hill Park to sit and watch the water and clouds. Seabirds fly high until they're gone, lone clouds drift idly. We gaze at each other without tiring—only Signal Hill remains.

Every city has its era marks, and historic clock towers are often landmark buildings. Qingdao's former tallest structure, the Catholic Cathedral, is one of them.

Officially named St. Michael's Cathedral, it was designed by German architect Bi Louha in a mix of Gothic and Romanesque styles. The bell tower is 56 meters tall, topped with a 4.5-meter cross, and houses four large bells whose resonant chimes can be heard miles away. While the original time-telling function has faded, the enduring bell sounds remain an important city symbol.

Today, the cathedral still retains its original yellow granite facade, with simple yet elegant patterns, solemn and beautiful, sketching the romantic years of the city. All year round, newlyweds with happy smiles holding hands come here to devoutly worship, hoping that this witnessed love will stay true to its original faithful heart.

In front of the very romantic St. Michael's Cathedral, a "Love and Happiness" wedding fair was being held during the National Day holiday. Blue-and-white booths contrasted beautifully with the blue sea and sky, white bouquets and colorful balloons created the purest corner of a wedding, highlighting vows of eternal love.

Music lovers are in luck! During the 2021 Qingdao Ocean Romance Culture Week, trendy bands performed love songs live, letting everyone experience the passion of love and savor its beauty.

At dusk during National Day, as night fell, the light show on Fushan Bay captivated many locals and tourists. The brilliant lights sketched a flowing urban canvas, intensifying the festive atmosphere. To watch the light show, aside from land-based viewing, taking a cruise to enjoy it from the bay offers a unique charm. The dazzling lights illuminated Fushan Bay, sparkling waves, with the whole city draped in China red—absolutely stunning.

At 7:40 pm, the Blue Ocean Pearl cruise ship slowly left the dock with its whistle sounding, circling Fushan Bay. Passengers could enjoy the city's giant screen light show and a panoramic view of the Olympic Sailing Center. From afar, you could see the Qingdao International Conference Center, the main venue of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and the night scene around May Fourth Square.

During the National Day holiday, the Fushan Bay light show played a special edition for seven consecutive days, with three chapters: "72 Years," "Country," and "Home." Grand lighting showcased China's rapid development over 72 years.

It featured imagery of the motherland's rivers and mountains, the Great Wall, and elements of national strength like "fully building a moderately prosperous society" and "the safe return of Shenzhou-12," depicting the beautiful life of people in the new era with stable employment and common prosperity.

Visiting Zhanqiao Pier is a must in Qingdao. The pier is 440 meters long and 8 meters wide, made of reinforced concrete. At the southern end stands a semi-circular breakwater and a two-story octagonal pavilion in Chinese style called "Huilan Pavilion." Standing beside it, visitors watch waves rolling in—"Flying Pavilion and Backwash" is known as one of the "Ten Scenic Spots of Qingdao." Along the north shore is Zhanqiao Park, lush with flowers, trees, and green pines, and stone benches for visitors to rest and enjoy the seascape.

During the National Day holiday, it was extremely crowded, with young tourists, families with kids, and tour groups all making the pier their first stop. People took out phones and cameras to capture the special moment.

To avoid the crowds, I flew a drone from the outskirts to take aerial photos from a distance.

Seeing the packed Zhanqiao Pier during the holiday, the Liangyou Bookstore at the nearby Qingdao Post and Telecommunications Museum was a much quieter haven. Bookstores are the soul of a city, best representing its cultural features. If you want to quickly and effectively understand a city, you must visit its local bookstore.

The Liangyou Bookstore · Tower 1901 is housed in a building originally built in 1901, the site of the century-old Jiaozhou Post Office. The German Gothic twin-tower architecture showcases early 20th-century European architectural aesthetics and is one of the few completely preserved original parts of Qingdao's cityscape. Time-worn rough rafters, high-set windows, scratched old floors, creaking spiral stairs... all exude the foreign elegance and artistic leisure unique to century-old Qingdao.

The interior is quaintly decorated, filled with curious old objects that complement the hundred-year-old tower perfectly. Though not large, every corner is worthy of study. Unique lighting creates a warm and cozy atmosphere, and each reading table has a vase of beautiful flowers. Being here is pure enjoyment—it's indeed an irreplicable space.

Liangyou Bookstore was the city's first cultural space integrating reading, coffee, art, floristry, creative products, and salons into one lifestyle aesthetic. Here you can read, enjoy art exhibitions, sip coffee, have light meals, and join various salon events. For years, it has been synonymous with Qingdao's "literature + art + life aesthetics."

Qingdao, highly praised by the artsy crowd, boasts these high-aesthetic bookstores unique to the city. Qingdao itself is a book that never tires the reader—worth reading deeply with a calm mind. It's a young and beautiful city with just over a hundred years of history, yet this land is ancient and profound, exuding a mellow historical and cultural aroma. A short two or three days is not enough to fully grasp the city's taste. I look forward to returning to this mountains-meet-sea city where mountains, sea, city, and scenery blend seamlessly, to deeply appreciate the red tiles and green trees, blue sea and sky, a magnificent and beautiful urban panorama of Qingdao.