Qingdao

Qingdao is a large city on the Yellow Sea coast in eastern China, spreading across ten administrative districts. The built environment ranges from old harbor quarters with colonial facades to modern high-rise neighborhoods, while the waterfront promenades stretch for kilometers along the shore.

Germans took control of a small fishing settlement in 1897 and developed it into a naval base with European architecture. After World War I, the city changed hands several times before growing into a modern industrial hub.

In August, beer gardens and festival grounds turn the city into a celebration where locals and travelers gather to taste beers from around the world alongside homegrown brews. Traditional performances with dance and music accompany the social atmosphere, blending German brewing heritage with local festive customs.

The international airport sits northeast of the city center and connects the city to major Asian and European destinations. High-speed trains run regularly to Beijing, Shanghai, and other Chinese cities, while the port offers ferry links to South Korea.

Mount Laoshan rises directly from the coast and offers hiking trails between granite cliffs that lead to Taoist temples. From the slopes you can see both the open sea and the forested valleys inland.