Qingdao

Travel Guide

Number 1 Beach which includes rugged coastline
Qingdao featuring heritage architecture and a house
May Fourth Square featuring outdoor art and a park
Qingdao which includes a coastal town and a pond
Number 1 Bathing Beach featuring swimming, a sandy beach and a coastal town

Modern skyscrapers and charming Bavarian architecture sit side by side in this German-styled port city famed for its brewing, beaches and fresh air. 

An elegant seaside city with a European twist, Qingdao has earned itself the tag "China’s Switzerland" for its distinctive architecture and Germanic cultural legacies. Modern development has reshaped Qingdao’s skyline, but it is still a port town at heart, where sailing takes centre stage, the beaches are beloved and the seafood is abundant.

In 1898 Germany was granted a 99-year lease on territory around Kiautschou Bay. See evidence of the German influence in the many cobbled alleys, red rooftops and Teutonic stylings of Qingdao. Explore the charming, hilly old town, and look out for the Lutheran and Catholic churches in German design.

The German presence also gave to Qingdao a taste for beer, and it’s here that China’s most popular beer, Tsingtao, is produced. Head to the Old Tsingtao Brewery for a brew house and museum tour. Explore the beer gardens of Beer Street and enjoy a bratwurst and pitcher of specialty beer in the sunshine. Beer lovers should time their visit for the city’s annual international beer festival held each August.

Qingdao’s famous beaches attract sun-seekers from all over the country. Follow the crowds to Number One Bathing Beach or travel further to the prettier Number Two Bathing Beach, a picturesque little cove said to have been a favourite escape of Chairman Mao. Nearby Shilaoren Beach, named for a rocky outcrop that resembles an “Old Stone Man”, is quite developed but remains cleaner than the city beaches.

The city’s Botanical Gardens are a great destination for families, as is Qingdao Underwater World. Hikers will enjoy the to climb to the “Mushroom Observatories”, small hilltop structures that offer great views of the area.

Qingdao is 6 hours south from Beijing by high-speed rail, and flights are available to most major Chinese cities. The city is easy to explore by bus and taxi. Visit Qingdao in late summer or spring to enjoy good weather without the crowds. Favorable winds ensure air quality is good year round.

Where to stay in Qingdao

May Fourth Square which includes skyline and a city

Qingdao City Center

Qingdao City Center is noteworthy for its beaches, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Hisense Plaza and May Fourth Square.

Qingdao City Center
May Fourth Square which includes a city and outdoor art

Shinan District

4.5/5(20 area reviews)

Shinan District is noteworthy for its historic sites, and you can make a stop at top attractions like MixC Shopping Mall and May Fourth Square.

Shinan District
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Chengyang District

4/5(19 area reviews)

Chengyang District is noteworthy for its restaurants, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Chengyang Century Park and Fantwild Dreamland Qingdao.

Chengyang District
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Laoshan District

4.5/5(3 area reviews)

You'll enjoy the beaches and museums in Laoshan District. You might want to make time for a stop at Mount Lao or Qingdao Museum.

Laoshan District
Jiaozhou Bay Bridge

Huangdao District

5/5(3 area reviews)

You'll enjoy the beaches and mountain views in Huangdao District. You might want to make time for a stop at Orient Golf Club or Jiashike Huangdao Shopping Center.

Huangdao District
Number 1 Beach which includes rugged coastline

Zhanqiao

3.5/5(6 area reviews)

You'll enjoy the beaches and mountain views in Zhanqiao. You might want to make time for a stop at Number 1 Bathing Beach or Qingdao Underwater World.

Zhanqiao
Shangri-La Qingdao
Shangri-La Qingdao
5 out of 5
9 Xiang Gang Zhong Road, Qingdao, Shandong
$150 nightly
The price is $159 total per night from Jul 17 to Jul 18
$159 total
Jul 17 - Jul 18
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Qingdao. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (562 reviews)
"Great location, staff is super friendly. Everything is nearly perfect except the hotel is getting old."

Reviewed on Jun 8, 2025

Shangri-La Qingdao
The Westin Qingdao
The Westin Qingdao
5 out of 5
8 Hong Kong Middle Road, Shinan District, Qingdao, Shandong
$126 nightly
The price is $134 total per night from Jul 6 to Jul 7
$134 total
Jul 6 - Jul 7
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Qingdao. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (257 reviews)
"Beautiful hotel in the heart of qingdao, awesome breakfast"

Reviewed on May 7, 2025

The Westin Qingdao
Holiday Inn Qingdao City Centre by IHG
Holiday Inn Qingdao City Centre by IHG
4 out of 5
1 Xuzhou Road, Qingdao, Shandong
$87 nightly
The price is $92 total per night from Jul 6 to Jul 7
$92 total
Jul 6 - Jul 7
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Qingdao. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (607 reviews)
"It’s a great experience to stay there."

Reviewed on Jun 15, 2025

Holiday Inn Qingdao City Centre by IHG
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
qingdaowanxianghaijing
qingdaowanxianghaijing
2.5 out of 5
qingdaoshinanquxianggangzhonglu8, 2505, Qingdao, shangdaongs
Stay at this aparthotel in Qingdao. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions MixC Shopping Mall and May Fourth Square ...
qingdaowanxianghaijing
qingdaowanxianghuayuan
qingdaowanxianghuayuan
3 out of 5
qingdaoshinanqushandonglu, 1012shi, Qingdao, shandongsheng
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Qingdao. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions MixC Shopping Mall and May Fourth ...
qingdaowanxianghuayuan
wodeyouyouliyuanjiudian
wodeyouyouliyuanjiudian
2 out of 5
qingdaoshishibeiqujimolu5hao, Qingdao, shandon
Stay at this aparthotel in Qingdao. Enjoy free WiFi, daily housekeeping, and a garden. Popular attractions Hongcheng Stadium and Tsingtao Beer Museum are located ...
wodeyouyouliyuanjiudian
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Qingdao

4.4
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
20
5 - Excellent 51%
4 - Good
14
4 - Good 36%
3 - Okay
5
3 - Okay 13%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

People are very friendly in Qingdao as expected from a place for resorts and beaches.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Friendly people, lots of beaches to walk along.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Qingdao is very fast modern developing city ,excellent city planning, l highly recommend every one to visit Qingdao.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

It is a beautiful city and it is worth visiting. However, not in the summer unless you enjoy the steamy weather.

4/5 - Good

A.Nishimura

for these decade I've been QD so many times on business and enjoyed many typical foods . Vegetables and seafoods are so nice without any contamination bt I highly recomend boiled dumpling with Qingtao beer.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Actually this hotel located in Huangdao.

Cities near Qingdao