Qingdao Travel Guide

Qingdao Travel Guide

 Foreign cruise tour groups arranged by China travel agencies are granted a 15-day visa-free entry from May 15, 2024, which allows them to enter through Qingdao and spend 15 days traveling in 11 coastal areas such as Shandong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Shanghai, and the capital Beijing.

Qingdao Facts

Chinese Name: 青岛 (qīng dǎo)
Population: 9,499,800
Area: 11,282 square kilometers (4,356 square miles)
Location: in the southeast of Shandong Province, east China
Administrative Division: 7 Districts (Shinan, Shibei, Huangdao, Laoshan, Licang, Chengyang, Jimo); 3 County-level Cities (Jiaozhou, Pingdu, Laixi)
Area Code: 053233
Zip Code: 266000
GDP (2019): CNY 1,174.131 billion (USD 170.189 billion)  

One of the Most Beautiful Coastal Cities in China

Qingdao, located in the southeast part of Shandong Province, is a beautiful seaside city. It is near to the Yellow Sea to the east and south, Yantai to the northeast, Weifang to the west and Rizhao to the southwest. Qingdao is one of the most beautiful coastal cities in China. Qingdao Port has been open to 177 ports around the world, bringing Qingdao to the most prosperous city in Shandong.

Tourists who visit Qingdao can explore cultural relics like churches, historic German architecture and former residence of celebrities in the Qingdao Old Town while viewing beautiful natural landscapes including parks, bathing beaches in coastal areas. Be sure to go to Beer Street to taste the local Tsingtao beer whose best partner is always barbecue. In addition, Pichai Food Street, Yunxiao Road Food Street, and Mai Island seafood Street offer the freshest seafood, and authentic Qingdao snacks. Qingdao International Beer Festival, the biggest beer festival in Asia, is held on the second weekend of August every year and lasts for 16 days. The whole city will be decorated and people can taste beer from the world.

 Pictures

May Fourth Square
May 4th Square

The red roofs, green trees, blue sea, and azure sky form a bright and colorful picture here. The city is sometimes known as the Switzerland of the Orient. Surrounded by the sea on three sides, the city attracts many visitors with its charming seascape. Sights like the Eight Passes Villas, May 4th Square, the Zhan Bridge, Mt. Laoshan, No.1 Bathing Beach, Badaguan Scenic Area will help you remember the city.

Other major attractions like Xinhao (Signal) Hill Park, Catholic Church (St. Emil Church), Golden Sand Beach,  Small Qingdao IslandLu Xun Park, and Underwater World are also worth a visit. Just walking on the sand and listening to the surf breaking on the beach becomes enjoyable.

3-Day City Tour: visit Mt. Laoshan, Taiqing Palace, Xiaoyushan Hill Park, Small Qingdao Island, Zhan Bridge and No. 1 Bathing Beach
Hiking Adventure          Golf Vacation          Bicycle Routes
More China Tour Packages

Zhan Bridge
Zhan Bridge
The seaside city
The seaside city
To the east of the city, a short distance across the Yellow Sea, lie Korea and Japan, making Qingdao an important port for international trade. A wide range of vehicles can facilitate trips to and from the city, including direct flights, bullet trains, long-distance buses and ships. The urban transportation is good due to the developed public buses, taxis, ferryboats, sightseeing boats and metros.
 Qingdao has implemented the 144-hour visa-free transit policy to facilitate citizens of some countries and regions to enjoy a visa-free stay up to 144 hours when taking an international transfer via Liuting Airport and its cruise port. 
Read details about 144-hour Visa-free Transit in Qingdao

 History: For thirty three years, up to 1949, the city was a colony of Germany and Japan. Thus, it has a great deal of European architecture. This foreign architecture -a remnant of the colonial past- now beautifies this seaside city.

 Foods: The food here is with distinctive flavors--especially seafood. So take this chance to enjoy the delicious seafood. Also, the city is the home of the famous Tsingtao Beer. Do not forget to try it when visiting the city.

 Local Highlights: The local government recognizes the importance of the tourism industry and has further plans to develop the local tourism. To enhance the tourism industry, the city now sponsors the International Beer Festival, the International Sea Festival, Beach Culture Festival, the Sea Affection Festival, and the Summer of Qingdao Festival. In cooperation with the Beijing Olympic Games 2008, the city held the Sailing Competition in the Olympic Games in 2008. This great event brings a great opportunity for this charming city to build its bright future.

 Relationship with Korea
Since the first Korean companies began doing business in this city in 1988, Korean people have lived here. Thousands of Korean people now live and work here, which makes the city with the most Korea investment enterprises in China. And the city also has the largest Korean population in China. With years of cultural exchange, they have established deep, close friendships and mutual trust with the native Chinese people.

Further Reading:
 Shopping        Nightlife       Top 10 things to Do in Qingdao

 10 Best China Honeymoon Destinations for Couples

 15 Important Cities in China for Business Travel

 10 Most Beautiful Cities in China

- Last updated on Jul. 22, 2024 by Brenda Lian -
Questions & Answers on Qingdao Travel
Asked by Carl from USA | Oct. 05, 2023 08:22Reply
Postal Code
What is the postal code for:
No.1607 Dongyue East Road,
West Coast New Area,
Qingdao City,
Shandong Province
Answers (1)
Answered by Polly | Oct. 06, 2023 19:18
00Reply


It is 266427.
Asked by Nigel from UNITED KINGDOM | Jul. 28, 2023 19:33Reply
Is it possible to fly in visa free for the beer festival , the passport holder would be from the UK,
The person would be travelling in from the Middle East ( Dubai)
Answers (1)
Answered by Emily | Jul. 31, 2023 01:00
00Reply


If the itinerary is eligible for the 144-hour visa-free transit, then there is no problems, which means you won't stop at any other mainland Chinese cities and will leave for the third country. If not you need to apply for a visa in advance.
Asked by Shri from CHINA | May. 22, 2023 00:39Reply
Which Algal Species are found in Qingdao Coastal Areas
Answers (1)
Answered by Mia | May. 23, 2023 02:33
00Reply


There are too many kinds and here just lists some edible types: Ulva lactuca L, Enteromorpha linza, Codium fragile, Gelidium amansii, Chondrus ocellatus, Gracilaria asiatica, Halymenia floresia, Scytosiphon lomentarius, and Undaria pinnatifida...
Asked by Wiselyn from SINGAPORE | Apr. 04, 2023 21:16Reply
For 2023, what flowers will bloom in Qingdao from 20 May to early June?
Will Qingdao hold a flower festival in 2023? Is it possible to hire a car with driver who has been handling older foreign visitors, to bring us around Qingdao and Laoshan? We are interested in nature and natural sceneries.
Answers (1)
Answered by John | Apr. 06, 2023 20:54
00Reply


Late may to early June is end of the flowering season in Qingdao. If lucky, you may see roses in Badaguan. As for the car with a driver, who can speak a little English I suppose, is not easy to find. You may turn for help from those travel agencies; remember to use a reliable one.
Asked by Trương from CHINA | Apr. 06, 2021 01:58Reply
need zip code for Qingdao Haoyuan Group Co., Ltd. Qianfo Hill Hongdao Chengyang District Qingdao Ch
Qingdao Haoyuan Group Co., Ltd.
Qianfo Hill Hongdao Chengyang District Qingdao China
Tel: 86-532-87937318

Answers (1)
Answered by Amelia | Apr. 06, 2021 18:55
00Reply


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