Qingdao sits on the Yellow Sea like a postcard: red-tiled roofs from its German colonial era, sycamore-lined streets, and a bay famous for Olympic sailing. Founded as a German concession in 1898, the city still flaunts cupolas and spires, while the 1903 Tsingtao Brewery turned local mineral water into a global icon. Just east, Laoshan Mountain rises from the coast, a Taoist cradle of legends, granite peaks, and cliff-hugging temples.

Come for the beaches—No.1 Bathing Beach near Badaguan and long, honeyed sands in Huangdao—and stay for Jiaodong seafood: garlicky fried clams, wok-tossed sea cucumbers, and skewered squid best chased with crisp draft beer. Wander Zhanqiao Pier where the city’s skyline floats across Fushan Bay, then climb Signal Hill for a painter’s view of red roofs and green trees.

Practical notes: the metro is clean and cheap, and taxis from the new Jiaodong International Airport take 50–70 minutes to Shinan District. Weather is mild spring–fall; August brings the Qingdao International Beer Festival. Foreign cards now work in Alipay/WeChat Pay, though cash still helps at markets. Seafood is king; beer is fresh; sunsets glow over May Fourth Square.

Qingdao

Why go: a coastal China classic—sailing harbors, beach promenades, and a living museum of German architecture wrapped around a vibrant seafood scene.

• Top sights: Badaguan villas, May Fourth Square, Zhanqiao Pier, Signal Hill, St. Michael’s Cathedral, Olympic Sailing Center, Laoshan Mountain.
• Signature experiences: brewery tastings at Tsingtao, sea-view walks in Fushan Bay, cable cars and Taoist temples at Laoshan, night markets on Taidong Pedestrian Street.
• Where to stay: Seaview apartments near Fushan Bay for sunsets, heritage villas by Badaguan for quiet streets, or central Shinan for easy metro access.

Stay here: Compare beach-view apartments and hotels in Qingdao on VRBO and Hotels.com. Look for Shinan District near May Fourth Square or the Olympic Sailing Center for the best mix of views and dining.

Getting in: Search flights on Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights. Typical times: Beijing–Qingdao 1.5 hrs (US$60–150), Shanghai–Qingdao 1 hr 15 mins (US$70–160), Seoul–Qingdao ~1.5 hrs (US$120–250). China’s high-speed rail is scenic: Beijing–Qingdao 4–4.5 hrs (US$35–55), Shanghai–Qingdao 4.5–6 hrs (US$45–75) via Trip.com Trains.

Day 1: Arrival, Fushan Bay Stroll, and Beer Street

Morning: Fly or train into Qingdao. If you prefer a seamless ride to your hotel, prebook a private transfer: Qingdao Private Transfer from TAO to central Qingdao (about 50–70 minutes to Shinan District). Taxis cost roughly CNY 120–180 depending on traffic.

Afternoon: Check in and stretch your legs along Fushan Bay and May Fourth Square. The wind sculptures, kite flyers, and sea breezes are a perfect first taste of coastal China.

Evening: Head to Dengzhou Road’s “Beer Street” by the Tsingtao Brewery for fresh draughts poured from the source. For dinner, pair garlicky fried clams (chao geli), grilled squid skewers, and wok-fried prawns with crisp Tsingtao at the official TSINGTAO 1903 Beer Bar & Restaurant in the area. For a lighter option, sip a flat white at MANNER Coffee (common in MixC mall nearby) before a bayfront night walk.

Day 2: Old Town, German Architecture, and the Beer Museum

Morning–Afternoon: Explore with a guide on the German Era Tour of Old Town Qingdao with Lunch and Beer Museum. You’ll climb Signal Hill for sweeping views, step inside St. Michael’s Cathedral and the Protestant Church, stroll Zhanqiao Pier, and finish with tastings at the Tsingtao Beer Museum.

Evening: Graze your way down Yunxiao Road Food Street near the coast—rows of seafood kitchens with live tanks let you choose the catch and cooking style (try ginger-scallion clams and stir-fried razor clams). If you’re craving K-food, the Yanji Road Korean Street has sizzling galbi and kimchi stews, a nod to Qingdao’s sizable Korean community. Nightcap with a bay-view lager around the Olympic Sailing Center.

Day 3: Laoshan Mountain—Taoist Peaks and Sea Views

Morning–Afternoon: Trade the waterfront for granite cliffs on the Laoshan Mountain Full Day Private Activity Tour. Expect cable cars, stone-plank trails, and visits to temple complexes like Taiqing Palace. A Taoist vegetarian lunch highlights mountain greens and tofu—clean flavors after sea-level indulgence.

Evening: Back in the city, unwind with a foot massage near Hong Kong Middle Road (common, well-signed). Dinner idea: Haidilao Hot Pot (a reliable China-wide staple) for customizable broths and hand-pulled noodles tossed by your table—perfect on a breezy coastal night.

Day 4: Badaguan Villas, Beach Time, and Taidong Night Market

Morning: Coffee and croissants at Seesaw Coffee (often found in major malls like MixC), then wander Badaguan (Eight Great Passes) where villas in varied European styles hide behind pines and ginkgo. Detour up Xiaoyushan Park—its octagonal pavilion frames the old town, No.1 Bathing Beach, and the cupola of the Catholic cathedral.

Afternoon: Pack a light beach kit for No.1 Bathing Beach (lifeguards and fresh-water showers in season). Snack on sesame shaobing and seaweed-wrapped rice at vendors near the promenade, or grab a simple seafood rice bowl.

Evening: Dive into Taidong Pedestrian Street and its night market vibe: fruit teas, chuan’r (skewers), and jelly “liangfen” noodles. If you want a sit-down seafood feast, pick a busy, well-reviewed restaurant along Yunxiao Road or near the marina—look for tanks with live mantis shrimp and scallops to be steamed with garlic.

Day 5: City Highlights Wrap—Guided or DIY

Morning–Afternoon (Guided option): If you’d like a curated sweep of anything you missed, book the All-Inclusive Private Day Tour: Qingdao Highlights with Lunch. Guides typically cover May Fourth Square, Badaguan viewpoints, Zhanqiao, and coastal promenades, tailoring pace and photo stops.

DIY alternative: Start at the Olympic Sailing Center with a marina walk and optional on-the-spot sailing or SUP session. Stroll the sculpture-lined boardwalk to Music Square, then explore the small galleries and cafes tucked between Hong Kong Middle Road and the water.

Evening: Dinner by the marina: order beer-steamed mussels, soy-braised sea cucumber, and wok-fried squid. For dessert, grab hawthorn candy skewers or a scoop of fruit sorbet along the promenade.

Day 6: Huangdao’s Golden Beach and Jiaozhou Bay

Morning: Cross the Jiaozhou Bay Bridge to Huangdao (taxi ~45–60 minutes; CNY 120–180). Golden Beach’s fine sand and shallow shelf make it ideal for swimming and long walks; rent a cabana in peak season.

Afternoon: Head to Tangdao Bay Park for breezy boardwalk cycling. Seafood lunch tip: choose a restaurant with a “choose-your-catch” counter—ask for steamed scallops with mung bean vermicelli and ginger, and blanched prawns with vinegar and wasabi.

Evening: Return to Shinan in time for the Fushan Bay light show reflected across the harbor. For a casual final feast, combine Qingdao-style cold dishes (marinated jellyfish, cucumber with garlic) with a pitcher of fresh lager at a seaside beer garden near the Olympic Sailing Center.

Day 7: Markets, Souvenirs, and Departure

Morning: Breakfast local-style at Yonghe King for hot soy milk and youtiao, or grab congee and pickles at a neighborhood congee shop. Pop into the Tsingtao retail store near the Beer Museum area for limited bottles and logo glassware.

Afternoon: Final stroll along Zhanqiao Pier for photos, then head to the airport. If you want a guaranteed on-time ride, book a private transfer: Qingdao Private Transfer from Central Qingdao to TAO. For flights and trains, compare options on Kiwi.com, Trip.com Flights, and Trip.com Trains.

Evening: Depart with sea salt in your hair and a suitcase that clinks—Qingdao has a way of sending you home with a few extra bottles.

Where to eat and drink, day by day (quick picks):

• Day 1: TSINGTAO 1903 Beer Bar & Restaurant; stalls on Beer Street for grilled squid and clams.
• Day 2: Yunxiao Road Food Street for choose-your-catch seafood; Korean BBQ on Yanji Road.
• Day 3: Taoist vegetarian lunch on Laoshan (tour inclusion); Haidilao Hot Pot for a warm finish.
• Day 4: Beach snacks near No.1 Bathing Beach; Taidong Night Market for skewers and fruit teas.
• Day 5: Marina-side seafood near the Olympic Sailing Center; gelato or hawthorn candy on the boardwalk.
• Day 6: Seafood in Huangdao with steamed scallops and blanched prawns; beer garden back in Shinan.
• Day 7: Yonghe King for soy milk and youtiao; easy noodles or dumplings near your hotel before departure.

Accommodation and logistics recap: Book stays via VRBO or Hotels.com. For transport, compare flights on Kiwi.com and Trip.com Flights, and trains on Trip.com Trains. Within the city, ride the metro (CNY 2–6) or hail taxis via app.

Seven days in Qingdao gives you both sides of the city: a salt-bright coast laced with promenades and a storied old town crowned by red roofs and church spires. Between Laoshan’s granite heights and beer halls humming after dark, you’ll taste why this Shandong port has charmed travelers for a century.