Qingdao International Beer Festival :: August 10th - 25th , 2013

A festival in honor of the nectar of the gods, beer -- how great is that? Every summer, starting the second weekend of August, Qingdao (青岛) hosts the largest beer festival in Asia with international breweries from all over the globe flocking to the sandy shores of China's Shandong Province. If you are a serious drinker or a casual weekend enthusiast, you'll see the best of China's beer drinking culture at this event. If karaoke is your thing, you can test your singing skills in front of huge crowds, and even buy a CD recording of your song if you so desire.

Picture huge tables filled with beer-swilling, elated Chinese and beautiful women performing on stage as the sound of Gan Bei ! (bottoms up) rings out across the numerous beer tents. With music of all kinds featured at the numerous stage venues and beers from around the globe: Beck's from Germany, Kirin & Asahi from Japan, Carlsberg from Denmark, Corona from Mexico, Heineken from Holland, Tiger from Singapore, Budweiser from the states, and of course China's Tsingtao, just to name a few, it truly is an international event that should not be missed.

As a foreigner, you'll be swamped with offers of free beers to "GanBei." I've gone to the beer festival in the past and not had to buy a single beer. The Chinese are so generous and kind, they are happy to show foreigners a good time. I've seen only a couple of fights all the times I've been there, and that's pretty amazing considering the amount of drinking that's going on. How good is the Qingdao Beer Festival? I'm living in Southern China right now, and I'm taking a special trip up to Qingdao to make sure I'm there for the fourth year in a row. Take it from a professional drinker, you'll have a good time! ~ Chad

The event lasts for two weeks and begins with a grand opening ceremony, followed by beer tasting, evening entertainment, drinking competitions, and concluded with a themed final ceremony. Besides beer there's tons of food, both Chinese and Western, to gorge on when you get the munchies. And don’t forget beautiful Shilaoren beach is just a 10 minute walk away!

Qingdao International Beer Festival Events:
* 2013 Theme: "Cheers for Passion - GanBei With the World !"
* Grand Opening Ceremony & Concert @ TianTai Stadium:  To Be Confirmed (TBC) ~ (10th August, 2013 @ 7:30pm)
   Admission:  To Be Announced (TBA)
   Tickets: Online Ticket Sales
   Telephone:  +86 (532) 5557-9082; 5557-9080
* Daily Schedule of Events @ Tsingtao Beer Passion Square (Century Square):  (9:00am-10:30pm, 11th-25th August 2013)
* Qingdao GanBei with the World! (青岛和世界干杯):  (24th August 2013)
* Closing Ceremony:  (25th August 2013)

Tsingtao Beer Passion Square (Qingdao Century Square):  09:00 - 22:30
* 10 RMB (09:00 - 15:00) -- ticket sales begin at 8:30am.
* 20 RMB (15:00 - 22:30) -- tickets sold until 22:30 on Friday & Saturday; 22:00 Sunday - Thursday.
Ticket hotline: (+86) 133-0532-1665
For more information call +86 (532) 8889-2376

Hotels Within Walking Distance of Tsingtao Beer Passion Square (Qingdao Century Square):
* Hyatt Regency
* Kilin Crown Hotel (Best Western)
* Sophia International Hotel
* SPR Hotel
* Blue Horizon Hotel
* Home Inn

Other Places of Interest:
* Old Town
* Qingdao Beer Street
* Tsingtao Brewery Museum