Qingdao Attractions, Tourism, & Key Cultural Spots:  Exploring Qingdao's International Roots
Few places in mainland China are more likely to make northern Californian's feel at home than the city of Qingdao, located in the northeast province of Shandong. Wooded hillsides, separated by winding roads, are wreathed in moody fog. Foothills descend gently to the sea, sheltered beaches meander for miles and tourists can eat what is arguably some of the best seafood in China. Although the Central Business District (CBD) has gone modern, Qingdao has not lost its finely tuned sense of catering for tourism, travelers and backpackers alike.

Positioned at the tip of the Shandong Peninsula where it dips southward into the Yellow Sea, Qingdao was chosen by the Beijing Olympic Coordinating Committee to host the 2008 Olympic Sailing Regatta.  The comparatively mild temperatures of this seaside city offer a welcome reprieve from the summer furnaces of Nanjing, Beijing, and even Shanghai.

Qingdao translates to "Green Island," and while it is not entirely surrounded by the ocean, it is an island of relaxed living bathed in fresh sea breezes where the rich and famous from around the world still come to play.

Qingdao is an old port city that knows boats and sailing.  Commercial trade has existed for centuries and has become the lifeblood of the city. In August 2008, these same waters of the surrounding FuShan Bay were filled with the sails of yachts from all over the world as they participate in the first Olympics ever in China.

Old Qingdao City:  Filled with European history & Gothic/Roman architecture that depicts the city's international past.

Jiaozhou Imperial Court Maxim’s Building Marquis Hotel German Drugstore German Police Station Deutshe Asiatische Bank Old Observatory Prince Henry Road (GuangXi Lu) Miweisiji Library Jiao'ao Post Office Lutheren Hotel

Ruxin Hospital Taigu Bank Manager's House First German Primary School Lutheran Church (aka Protestant Church) Old American Consulate Bizmarck Barracks Residence of Princess Duoluouote No. 2 German Navy Headquarters Shandong Railway & Mineral Company Old German Consulate Iltis Barracks

Shen Ying Hospital Education Committee Building St. Michaels Cathedral Qingdao International Club Naval Hotel/Restaurant Jiao'ao Customs Building Catholic Mission Residence of the German Bishop European Prison Dehua Bank Seashore Hotel

Beaches, Surf, & Sea:

Bathing Beach No. 1 Bathing Beach No. 2 Bathing Beach No. 3 Polar Ocean World

Golden Sand Beach Silver Beach ShiLaoRen Underwater World

LiuQinHe Beach Yangkou Beach Seaside Pathway ZhanQiao Peer

Parks & Gardens:

ZhongShan Park Botanical Park Forest Fun Park Garden of Sea Billows Garden of Sea Wind Garden of The Joyous Sea

Sculpture Park ShiLaoRen Sightseeing Garden Taping Cape Park Xiao Qingdao Park XiaoYuShan Park (Little Fish Hill) XinHaoShan Park (Signal Hill Park)

Garden of the Sea Rhythm LuXun Park Qingdao Hill Forts Park Rain Forest Ecological Garden Daze Mountain Scenic Area TianHeng Island

Museums & other Historical Sites:

Qingdao Municipal Museum HuaShi Villa May 4th Square Qingdao Guest House Olympic Sailing Museum

Qingdao Naval Museum Qingdao Sculpture Museum TianHou Palace Underground World Chinese Mythology Qingdao Music Square

Tsingtao Brewery Museum Qingdao Marine Products Museum Haier Science Museum Qingdao Shell-Carving Art Gallery LangYaTai

Other Places of Interest:

HuiQuan Square Qingdao Concert Hall Qingdao Huadong Winery Qingdao International Beer City

Qingdao Municipal Public Library Qingdao People's Auditorium Qingdao International Convention Center TianTai Stadium

Qingdao Municipal Art Gallery Qingdao TV Tower GuoXin Stadium - The Diamond DengZhou Road (Beer Street)

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