Qingdao – Close Encounters with Wildlife (Photographing Swans in Huangdao, Wildlife Zoo, Seagulls at Zhanqiao Pier)

I have always liked the city of Qingdao and have visited it several times. Previously I mostly roamed around the Shinan District, as scenic areas with cultural heritage such as Daxue Road, Celebrity Residences, and Badaguan are mainly concentrated there. This time, because I wanted to photograph the swans in Huangdao, I took a stroll over to Huangdao.

Food: Qingdao mainly offers seafood. In summer, especially during the Beer Festival, it can be more expensive.

Accommodation: Winter is the off-season, slightly cheaper than the summer tourist peak.

Activities: If you want to visit culturally significant attractions, you can go to the old town, which is the Shinan District. Old buildings are concentrated there, mainly including Zhanqiao Pier, Post and Telecommunications Museum, Governor's Mansion, Badaguan, Taipingjiao, St. Michael's Cathedral, the Christian Church, Daxue Road, Lao She's Former Residence, Xinhao Hill Park, Kang Youwei's Former Residence, and newer attractions such as May Fourth Square and the Olympic Sailing Center. In Shibei District, there are the Beer Museum and Taidong Pedestrian Street. For the Beer Festival or a summer beach vacation, you can go to Jinshatan (Golden Beach) and Yinshatan (Silver Beach) in Huangdao District.

January 18, 2022: Feeding seagulls at Zhanqiao Pier in Shinan District; afternoon and evening at Taidong Road Pedestrian Street.

1. Zhanqiao Pier is located on the seaside in Shinan District. Along the coast there are many famous attractions: Post and Telecommunications Museum, Badaguan, Taipingjiao, Naval Museum, Aquarium, and also some nearby sights that can be visited together, such as Nanjing Road, St. Michael's Cathedral, Daxue Road, Lao She's Former Residence, Governor's Mansion, Art Museum, Christian Church, Xinhao Hill Park, etc.

2. Seagulls come from Siberia every year from October to May of the following year to winter. There are many of them, and they are very friendly to people, especially suitable for bringing children or partners to enjoy a romantic time.

3. There are vendors selling food nearby, usually small pieces of fried dough sticks, one yuan per small bag. You can also bring your own: steamed buns, cookies, fried dough sticks, or small fish.

4. Taidong Pedestrian Street is in Shibei District. It is a commercial street for eating and shopping. You can stay nearby. There are many people both day and night.

January 19, morning: Photographing swans at China Courtyard; afternoon: Huangdao Wildlife Zoo.

1. At China Courtyard (Southern Courtyard), there are swans. Several come in winter, including white swans. They said the white swans were driven away by black swans, because a pair of black swans had five babies. Every morning and afternoon, some photography enthusiasts come to take pictures.

2. When photographing swans, you can bring some food to feed them, such as steamed buns, bread, or cabbage leaves. This can attract swans to come close for close-up shots.

3. The entrance fee for Huangdao Wildlife Zoo is 60 yuan, no student ticket. It is better to go in spring, summer, or autumn, when animals are outdoors and you can interact with them and feed them. In winter, they are all locked indoors, making it hard to see clearly.

January 20, morning: Beach and Huangdao Huanghezi Art Museum; afternoon: Photographing swans at China Courtyard.

1. For a typical tourist city like Huangdao, the winter travel experience is not great because many attractions are closed or only partially open, reducing the fun. The advantage is that it is not crowded, and food and accommodation are cheaper.

2. The ticket for Huanghezi Art Museum is 25 yuan. If young people come to check in and take photos, it is okay. The art style is relatively avant-garde and abstract, not easy to appreciate.

Next time, if possible, I should come in spring, summer, or autumn, when it is more lively, and it should be more fun than the lonely winter.