Zhan Qiao, Maritime pier in Qingdao, China
Zhan Qiao is a pier in Qingdao that runs from the foot of Zhongshan Road out into the Yellow Sea, ending at an octagonal pavilion called Huilan Pavilion. The walkway is paved and lined with low railings on both sides, giving open views of the sea and the city shoreline from the same spot.
The pier was built in 1891 as the first wharf of Qingdao during the German concession period, serving military and trade purposes from the start. Over the following decades it gradually lost its role as a working dock and became a public walkway open to the city's residents.
The octagonal pavilion at the far end of the pier appears on Tsingtao Beer labels sold around the world, so many visitors recognize it before they even arrive. People gather here at all hours to watch fishing boats pass and take photos with the sea behind them.
The pier itself is open around the clock, but the pavilion at the end has its own hours and charges a small entry fee. The entire walk is exposed to sea wind, so a light jacket is worth bringing regardless of the season.
The pavilion at the end was completely demolished and rebuilt after World War II, rather than simply repaired. This means the structure that appears on the Tsingtao Beer label is newer than most visitors assume when they first see it.
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