Qingdao

Marked by the huge flaming sculpture called “Wind of May”, the square is built to commemorate the May 4th Movement in 1919, when Chinese nationalism was revived by a popular student-led uprising. Connecting the Qingdao municipal government building and the east coast, it consists of a coastal area and two squares, which are called City Hall Square and Central Square. In the evening, the colourful lights and water fountain make the whole square even more attractive.

Lying between Huiquan Cape and Taiping Cape, it was named “Badaguan” (Eight Great Passes) after the eight great passes of the Great Wall. The area was occupied by western countries and thus presents various architecture styles of twenty countries, including England, Russia, German, France, Danmark and so on. In spring, the peach flowers bloom on Shaoguan Road, during summertime, crepe-myrtles on Zhengyangguan Road. Maple leaves turn red in autumn, and cedars stay green even in winter. In every season, Badaguan has its unique sides.

Adjacent to Lu Xun Park is the Qingdao Underwater World, known as the Marine Products Museum. It covers an area of 7,300 sqm and accommodates an astonishing water body of 4,000 tonnes. It is a complex with a myriad of animal species on display.

First held in 1991, Qingdao International Beer Festival has now become the biggest beer festival in Asia. The festival generally starts on the second Sunday of August and lasts for 16 days. A 35-hectare Beer City located in the Shilaoren National Tourism Resort was specifically built for the festival. Although you can have Tsingtao Beer anytime in the city, the carnival vibe of the festival is something that you don't want to miss. (P.S.: in Qingdao, fresh beer can be sold and contained in the plastic bag, so don't be surprised when you see people walking on the street with a bag of beer.)

Zhongshan Park is the largest park in Qingdao, covering an area of 800,000 m² and located between Huiquan Square and Taiping Hill. Best known for its cherry blossoms in the spring, lantern show in the summer and chrysanthemum show in the autumn, it is named “Flower Sea in Eastern Garden”. In the west part of the park, the zoo is a children’s paradise, with a mini-train, bumper cars and merry-go-round.

The centre was first built for hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Sailing Competitions. Now it is transformed into a sailing boat dock. You can rent a boat and have a tour on the bay, or have a beer on the bars nearby, and enjoy the breeze from the sea.

Compared to Jinshatan (the Gold Beach), Yinshatan (the Silver Beach) is farther from the city and the sand is slightly harder, but it is less crowded than the first one and more beautiful. The beach is 3000-meter long and in the shape of a new moon. It is an ideal spot to chill, swim and enjoy the sunshine.

This used to be the old factory of the Tsingtao Beer Brewery and now with the factory having moved out, the place has been transformed into a beer museum. All the old equipment is left on display, making it possible to see the whole process of beer production. The entrance fee is 60 RMB per person, which includes one cup of draught beer and a cask ale.

Built on a top of a hill, the Little Fish Hill Park offers one of the most scenic views over Qingdao. It does not only feature a good amount of characteristic nautical-themed buildings, but also a unique view over some landmarks of China's most picturesque coastal city.