Discover the Most Romantic Side of Qingdao at These Offbeat Photo Spots

The sea, sandy beaches, sunsets, glass houses, Ferris wheels, candlelit dinners... these elements have always been synonymous with romance, making everyone yearn for them.

On this trip to Qingdao, I managed to check off all these spots in one go—a journey so beautiful it felt like falling in love.

[Haiquan Bay Resort]

This popular resort in Qingdao is located on the city’s second-largest bay, Aoshan Bay, boasting a kilometer-long golden beach and ocean hot springs. Its European-style architecture creates a strong holiday vibe.

I arrived just at dusk, when the setting sun dyed the sky crimson, its golden light shimmering over the rippling waves.

“Love her? Take her for a ride on the Ferris wheel.” The Ocean Star Ferris Wheel, the tallest in Qingdao, stands right by the sea. Its 360-degree observation cabins offer sweeping views of the Laoshan peaks and the magnificent coastline—especially romantic at sunset. Who could resist such a dreamy atmosphere?

The resort sits on a marine hot spring belt. At the Haiquan Bay Ocean Hot Spring Hotel, every room has its own hot spring bath, and there are indoor and outdoor pools across five themed zones, so you can soak while having fun. Afterwards, head to the hot spring SPA area for a treatment to soothe away the day’s fatigue.

For dinner, I chose the Tianhai Japanese Restaurant at the Haiquan Bay Crowne Plaza Resort. This exquisitely decorated Japanese restaurant serves creative dishes that feel like a feast for the taste buds.

The resort’s commercial street is designed in the style of an outlet village, giving you the feeling of shopping overseas. With numerous brands and seafood restaurants, it’s also a great spot for stylish street photography.

“If I had only one day in Qingdao, I’d spend it in Badaguan.” This thought has stayed with me through all my visits. With its red-tiled roofs, green trees, sapphire sea, and blue sky, no other place can compare. Badaguan features over 200 buildings from the 1930s, covering more than 20 national architectural styles—Russian, British, French, Danish, Japanese, and more—earning it the nickname “World Architecture Expo.”

Huashi Lou (Flower and Stone Tower), Butterfly House, Princess House... these old buildings quietly tell their stories, tales of time gone by.

Tree-lined lanes, stone walls, pointed roofs, stained-glass windows... every corner is steeped in old-world romance. Even without a specific destination, a casual stroll will reveal heart-stirring scenery at every turn.

Beside Badaguan lies the Second Bathing Beach, with a long wooden walkway stretching out to sea. Under the overcast sky, it showed another side of Qingdao’s charm.

[Laoshan / Qingshan Fishing Village]

You haven’t truly been to Qingdao if you haven’t visited Laoshan. As the highest peak on China’s coastline, it offers a stunning mountaintop view of the sea, where water and sky blend into one—known as the “No. 1 Famous Mountain on the Sea.” There are several sightseeing routes; this time I chose Jufeng. Jufeng is the main peak and the highest point of Laoshan, honored as the “Ancestor of All Mountains.” Taking the cable car up, I felt that exhilarating sense of “all other mountains dwarfed beneath my feet.” The rocks are grotesquely shaped; let your imagination run wild with what they resemble.

On the way, we passed Qingshan Fishing Village, a small seaside hamlet that’s now a popular photo spot. Its red-roofed houses stacked on the hillside look very much like Italy’s Cinque Terre when viewed from above. The best vantage point is from the grand archway of Qingshan Fishing Village. Unfortunately, I didn’t have enough time to explore the village itself.

[Saint Ronique One-Stop Island Wedding Venue]

“If love has a destination, it must begin with a romantic island wedding.” This line outside Saint Ronique probably captures the dream wedding of many girls. Facing the sea, with its long coastline and soft sand, it has witnessed countless happiest moments. There are three outdoor wedding venues—a lawn, the beach, and a viewing platform—plus two indoor halls: a forest-style niche wedding hall and a Korean-style artistic crystal wedding hall, each filled with romance. It’s not far from Laoshan, so even if you’re not getting married here, you can drop by for photo ops; the many trendy elements guarantee romantic, Instagram-worthy shots. Or you could stay a night in one of the themed villa rooms—a lovely experience.

[Yuming Mountain House]

With white walls and grey tiles, this place is elegant and serene. Look up and you see the peaks of Laoshan; look down and enjoy the shade of green trees and birdsong. The Chinese-style courtyard, adorned with red lanterns and a murmuring stream, transports you to a Jiangnan garden. It offers tea rooms, tea banquets, a study, guest rooms, and more; you can also enjoy a tea ceremony performance and try your hand at roasting tea leaves. Be sure to savor the tea banquet here—delicate dishes accompanied by a faint tea fragrance make for a truly special flavour. The guest rooms come in various stylish designs, making it a great place to stay when visiting Laoshan.

[Flower Goddess Book Café]

What could be more romantic and delightful than sipping coffee and reading a book in a glass house by the sea? This café is the answer. The Flower Goddess Book Café is now a hugely popular spot in Qingdao. Set on Shilaoren Beach, its floor-to-ceiling windows look out onto sand and sea—blue skies by day, sunset and twinkling lights by night, dialing the romance up to the max. The coffee and desserts are good; sitting by the window with a favorite book, I could easily spend an entire day here. More than just a café, it’s a creative lifestyle experience space filled with fresh flowers, books, cultural souvenirs, art pieces—all brimming with artsy vibes.

[Ruoqi Aesthetics Space]

Converted from an abandoned factory, its highly design-conscious and stylish façade contrasts sharply with the noisy surroundings. The owner, Zhong Feng, is a third-generation native of Laoshan and one of the ten “Laoshan Craft Masters,” bringing award-winning Qingdao-inspired works to the world. It’s a museum, with deep blue display windows showcasing nearly 400 gem minerals and antique jewelry, explaining the origins, history, and design of gems—and admission is free. It’s a workshop, home to talented artisans led by Zhong Feng, where works of art and lifestyle objects are created. It’s a café, where rich coffee and delicious food soothed me after a long day of walking. An art gallery and youth hostel are still under construction—I’m really looking forward to its future.

[Taipingjiao Park]

A short walk into the park, you’ll find a 48-meter-long “Love Lane,” created for the “2021 Qingdao Ocean Romance Culture Week” at the end of September. Cute Cupids, pink hearts, “I love you,” “I LOVE YOU”... all these love-themed elements painted on the path bear witness to the happiness of everyone who passes by in the name of love.

[Love Subway Train]

A love-themed subway train was definitely a first for me—so dreamy it sent my inner girl into overdrive. I heard there are six themed trains this time: Encounter, Acquaintance, Knowing, Falling in Love, Staying by Each Other, and Beloved, each with different scenes and romantic check-in spots. If you happen to catch one, make sure to soak up all the pink bubbles floating through the carriage.

In early autumn, Qingdao feels just slightly cool, with leaves tinged yellow and air that’s a little sweet. With so many romantic spots in this city, wouldn’t you like to bring your loved one and come explore?