Qingdao's Off-the-Beaten-Path Spots: Enjoy Sea Views and Coffee, Romance Begins Here!

Speaking of Qingdao, many people think of the seaside, all kinds of seafood feasts, and plenty of drinks. But this time, I want to recommend a very interesting off-the-beaten-path route. Qingdao has many facets, and this one is incredibly romantic. Not just because of the gentle sea breeze and leisurely strolls, but also because of the lifestyle and ambiance—and what's more, you can even enjoy a perfectly romantic wedding.

Must-visit trendy café in Qingdao:

The romantic combination of coffee and the sea. In other cities, having a cup of coffee is simple, but combining coffee with the seaside is an experience hard to come by. At Qingdao's Huashen Book Café, you get the perfect blend. Located near Shilaoren Beach, on an earlier visit it wasn't there yet, and this time I stumbled upon it so warmly.

The coffee bookshop is beautiful, with a fresh and airy vibe, very Instagram-worthy. It's a great spot for photos. The window seats are the best, with a direct view of the sea—I think "facing the sea, with spring blossoms" perfectly describes the feeling here. The café offers a variety of cakes, all beautifully presented and tasty. I ordered my favorite latte ☕️, and it was good. You can also read here, listening to the sound of the waves while flipping through a book or sipping coffee—I think that's the most romantic thing.

Remember to check it out when you're in Qingdao:

Name: Huashen Book Café

Opening hours: 8:00–1:00

Address: Laoshan Road, Shilaoren National Tourist Resort (on the beach at the intersection of Qinling Road and Haikou Road)

Transportation: About 1 km walk from Exit B2 of Shilaoren Bathing Beach Station on Metro Line 2

Admire jewelry, sip coffee, and even enjoy Western cuisine—Qingdao never ceases to surprise. This time, we step into a coffee shop full of surprises, with a very romantic name: Ruoqi Jewelry.

Ruoqi Aesthetic Space is a cross-boundary art space co-created by several designers, focusing on using different crafts or materials across various fields. Through the fusion of aesthetics, it creates artworks or artistic scenes that break through barriers between art categories.

The entire space covers about 3,000 square meters and consists of five parts: the Ruoqi Jewelry Museum, an art exhibition hall, the Liuyi Workshop, the Ruoqi Café, and the Puju Jiansu Apartment. Here, through displays of gem minerals, rough stones, and antique jewelry, visitors can gain a systematic understanding of the origins of gemstones, the history of jewelry, and jewelry design. The museum is open to the public free of charge and can be visited by appointment.

The art exhibition hall serves both as an exhibition space and a showcase for artworks. In addition to displaying works by the Ruoqi design team, it regularly hosts design exhibitions from different fields, providing local residents with a richer cultural and artistic experience.

The Liuyi Workshop brings together design artisans from across the country, who have set up studios in Qingdao. Rooted in their expertise and exploring local culture, they engage in extensive cross-disciplinary collaboration to create artworks and daily necessities that combine aesthetic value with practicality.

The Ruoqi Café is the social hub of the space, also a relaxing spot for young people. Its elegant environment is suitable for business activities and leisure. The café offers tasty drinks and light meals, and a highlight is the sale of original Qingdao cultural and travel souvenirs created by the design team.

The Puju Jiansu Apartment is a youth apartment targeting young people, integrated into the entire space, with the café and museum as supporting amenities. So, you can spend a leisurely weekend here, chatting and learning with friends—such an interesting and knowledge-filled gathering is simply wonderful.

Address: Ruoqi Aesthetic Space, No. 8, Keyuanjing 4th Road, Laoshan District

A romantic seaside wedding venue that's also a trendy dessert café;

If the seaside is romantic, then a wedding by the sea must be breathtaking, right? This time, we delve into Qingdao's romance, where countless beautiful stories and memories reside. Sanlonek is located in Huichang Community, Wanggezhuang Subdistrict, Laoshan District, Qingdao. It is bordered by Laoshan Mountain to the south, Xiao Penglai to the north, Guanmao Mountain to the west, and the sea to the east, offering stunning scenery. Gazing into the distance, the boundless expanse of sea and sky unfolds before your eyes—just incredibly beautiful. The blue sky and white clouds merge with the embracing sea, creating a picturesque contrast. Many might think you can only come here for a wedding, but that's not the case. On ordinary days, it's also a great spot for coffee. Sipping coffee in such a romantic setting, with the sea breeze—I think happiness is unstoppable.

Name: Sanlonek One-stop Island Wedding Venue

Opening hours: 10:00–22:00

Address: Wanggezhuang Huichang, Xiao Penglai

Take sweet photos, filled with the sound of happiness;

"The Colors of Love" is a love-themed ground painting in Taipingjiao Park. With cute cartoon Cupids, pink heart symbols, the phrase one must say when love deepens, and LOVE rest benches for chatting and cuddling—the 2021 Qingdao Ocean Romance Culture Week will grandly open at the end of September. Here, the "In the Name of Love" romantic path in Taipingjiao Park will bless passing lovers with color and refinement, witnessing this enchanting autumn and this happy era.

48 meters is the distance for love to meet halfway—walking the path of love in the name of love. 48 meters is the distance two hearts need to slowly draw close—in the name of love, to achieve a mutual love. 48 meters is the distance to encounter love—in the name of love, to bravely pursue and quietly wait. Such a romantic place, you must come and experience it.

You can plan about two days for these spots, with a relaxed itinerary for a more leisurely pace. This way, you get to see a different side of Qingdao and feel a different kind of romance. I really enjoy such off-the-beaten-path routes—avoiding the crowds and finding your own little slice of freshness is the most wonderful thing.