Qingdao is located on a peninsula that hooks west from the Laoshan mountains to form Jiaozhou Bay. This geographical feature is referenced by Qingdao’s largest local newspaper known as The Peninsula, or “Ban Dao“.
The westernmost tip of the peninsula is where the older (colonial-era) part of the city looks out on Huangdao and Xuejiadao, which put together are called the Qingdao Economic Development Technology Zone, or Kai Fa Qu in Chinese.
The Qingdao subway system is called Metro. The Metro combined with the Huangdao-Qingdao Tunnel and Jiaozhou Bay Bridge connects Qingdao city proper with surrounding areas, from Jiaozhou to Jimo to Yangkou and more.
The influence of the sea is evident throughout Qingdao. The Port of Qingdao is one of the largest in China. The city’s economy is inextricably connected to shipping, shipbuilding, logistics, container yards, and warehouses. For more information on Qingdao’s port, check out the Shipping Online profile page for Qingdao.
Qingdao’s beaches are a major attraction for tourists from around the world. The most crowded times are July through September, when Chinese students are not in school and it’s the unofficial tourist season in Qingdao. That being said, the two best times to visit Qingdao are in May and October, when the mild and pleasant weather in Qingdao allows for peaceful exploration of this historical and modern metropolitan area of China.
Qingdao was the venue of the Sailing Regatta of the Beijing 2008 Olympics and is also called China’s Sailing City. Major sailing races intimately connected to Qingdao include the Clipper and Extreme Sailing. The first Chinese woman to circumnavigate the globe, Vicky Song Kun, came from Qingdao’s local sailing scene.
Major attractions, activities, and sights in the Qingdao area include:
May 4 Square
In the center of the new city, across from the City Hall, red monument “Winds of May” to mark WWI era reform movement.
Old Stone Man Beach
Long sandy beach in Qingdao’s tony eastern area, near SPR and Surf Plaza, a California style property development near the sea.
Laoshan
Home to Taoist and Buddhist temples. Source of Laoshan water used in Tsingtao Beer. Tourist areas include Bei Jiu Shui and Taiqinggong.
Huadong Vineyards
Winery tours available – check out the Huadong Winery website. Located in Laoshan near Beizhai and the 2014 International Horticulture Expo site.
Little Fish Pagoda
Called Xiao Yu Shan in Chinese, overlooks the Number 1 Beach and Ocean University. Great views of the old city.
Zhan Shan Temple
Largest Buddhist temple in Qingdao, in the city near Zhongshan Park.
Qingdao Olympic Marina Sailing Center
On the site of the former Beihai Shipyards, now the home of a marina, shopping malls, hotels, public square.
Homegrown Qingdao brands include:
Haier
Large multinational with products and services from refrigerators to TVs to air conditioning to real estate. Long term sponsor of NBA. Top white goods manufacturer in China.
Hisense
Top appliance seller in Australia. Often compared with Haier as a Qingdao multinational. Sponsor of Australian Open at Hisense Arena in Melbourne.
Tsingtao Beer
Oldest of Qingdao’s top 5 consumer brands. Known as the number 1 Chinese beer.