Qingdao: Beers, Beaches, and Nature Galore
Beers, beaches, and nature galore. Just a few wonderful things that Qingdao has to offer. With a population of more than 9 million, Qingdao is one of Shandong’s Provinces major cities. This also translates to a nice environment with enough things to do and see. Below we give you an idea what exactly there is to do in the ‘green island city’.
An old saying described Qingdao as a city of “red tiles green trees, blue sky and blue sea”. Indeed, there’s a large number of German-style buildings in Qingdao’s city center that reminds us of the German colonial period from 1898 to 1914. With its strategic location at the sea, Qingdao is currently a major seaport, naval base, and industrial center. With a bit of history, the beach, and beer at your fingertips, what more could you ask for? Here we break down our top 5 things to do in Qingdao.
Qingdao International Beer Festival
With the first one taking place in 1991, this festival has almost become synonymous with taking a summer trip to Qingdao. Held for about a month, usually from the end of July until the end of August, it’s the largest beer festival in Asia with participation from international breweries. Don’t miss this Asian Oktoberfest taking place on the sandy shores of Qingdao’s Golden Sand Beach.
Tsingtao Brewery (Qingdao Beer Museum)
In 1903 the Germania-Brauerei opened where the Germans brewed a German-style pilsner with traditional German techniques but using mineral water from the nearby Laoshan spring. After changing hands to the Japanese within 2 decades, it became a state-owned enterprise in 1949. 40 years later, it merged with three other Qingdao-based breweries and was renamed Tsingtao Brewery Company Limited, an homage to Qingdao’s colonial spelling.
Now, the Qingdao Beer Museum owns 55 brewing factories and malt factories in 18 cities and provinces in China. The museum building is one of a few gothic buildings in the city and the exhibits provide visitors an inside look into the iconic beer’s brewing ingredients and production process.
Eight Great Passes (Badaguan)
Qingdao’s foreign architecture really shines in its historical district, the badaguan or Eight Great Passes. Named after the Great Wall’s eight strategic passes, it combines different national styles from many countries including Russia, Japan, America, Greece, and Germany of course. Encompassing different buildings on ten avenues, the area is also well-known for its beautiful flowers.
Beaches
For those who want to take a dive in Qingdao, it’s home to reputedly the largest sandy beach in Asia. No. 1 Bathing Beach at Huiquan Bay, therefore also known as Huiquan Bathing Beach, is surrounded by mountains. The waves are gentle and the water clear, making it a favorite beach spot for locals and tourists alike. The Golden Sand Beach, where the Qingdao Beer Festival is held, is also well-known for its beach with soft, golden sand.
Mount Lao (Laoshan)
To the East of Qingdao you can find one of the cradles of Taoism. Looking out over the sea, this mountain area combines nature with culture, offering waterfalls, cliffs, and temples. Tackle Jufeng, the highest mountain peak at 1,133 meters or marvel at the Taiqing Palace counting 155 rooms and with a history of more than 2,000 years.
All interested and enthusiastic to go to Qingdao now? Are you looking to get something more out of a stay in China bylearning the language or doing an internship? Then don’t hesitate to visit our new branch of Hutong School that we opened in the city!
Reach out to us now to sign up for Chinese classes or find the perfect internship. Qingdao is a great place to immerse yourself in Chinese culture and experience the local lifestyle. Curious to see what other branches we have? Check out our Chengdu and Hangzhou branches too!
