Qingdao (칭다오) is a rare blend of red-tile rooftops and green pines, a seaside city where German colonial-era streets meet a proud Shandong culinary tradition. Famous worldwide for Tsingtao beer, it’s also a place of cool sea breezes, walkable promenades, and a skyline that glows over the bay. You’ll taste briny clams simmered in beer, hike under granite peaks, and watch sails flicker in the wind at the Olympic Marina.

Founded as a German concession in 1898, Qingdao grew around its harbor and breweries, leaving behind stone villas, a magnificent cathedral, and leafy boulevards in Badaguan. Modern Qingdao is just as magnetic: sleek museums, new metro lines, beaches from urban coves to golden arcs, and a flourishing cafe scene. The famous Beer Festival every summer turns the city into a jubilant foam of music and taps.

Practical notes: The best times to visit are late April–June and September–October. The metro is efficient, Didi ride-hailing is widely used, and digital payments (WeChat/Alipay) are common. Pack layers for coastal winds. Seafood is a highlight—verify prices per 500g before ordering, and expect to see the day’s catch in tanks by the door.

Qingdao (칭다오)

Qingdao’s heart is the glittering arc from May Fourth Square to the Olympic Sailing Center, where boardwalks drift past yachts and cafes. To the west lies the old town of Zhanqiao Pier, St. Michael’s Cathedral, and the Governor’s Mansion—streets of cobblestones and history. Northeast, Laoshan Mountain rises into clouds, home to Taoist temples and mountain tea.

Unmissable experiences include the Tsingtao Beer Museum (with tastings), sunset views from Signal Hill or Xiaoyushan Park, and villa-spotting in Badaguan. Food is pure coastal comfort: beer-steamed clams, grilled squid, wok-seared razor clams, and Shandong standards like scallion-braised sea cucumber.

• Where to stay: Base yourself in Shinan District (May Fourth Square/Olympic Marina) for sea views and easy transport. Browse options on VRBO and Hotels.com—look near May Fourth Square, Badaguan, or Shilaoren Beach.
• Getting in: Fly into Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport (TAO). From Beijing/Shanghai it’s ~1.5–2.5 hours by air, often $80–$180 one-way; from Seoul ~1.5 hours. Compare on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com. High-speed trains: Beijing (~4–4.5h, $35–$65), Jinan (~1.5–2h), Shanghai (~4.5–6h), search on Trip.com (trains).
• Local tips: Airport to downtown by metro ~60–75 min; by taxi/Didi 45–70 min (roughly 120–180 RMB depending on traffic and address). For beaches, bring sandals—some stretches are pebbly.

Day 1: Arrival, May Fourth Square, and the Olympic Sailing Center

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Stretch your legs at May Fourth Square, a sweeping waterfront plaza crowned by the scarlet “Wind of May” sculpture. Walk the promenade to the Olympic Sailing Center, host of the 2008 Olympic sailing events; peek at the yachts and grab a harbor-view photo.

Evening: Take a 45–60 minute harbor cruise (typically 120–180 RMB) from the Olympic Marina for sunset cityscapes. For dinner, head to Dengzhou Road Beer Street near the brewery: pick a lively open-air seafood hall, choose your catch by weight, and order Qingdao classics—beer-steamed clams (啤酒蛤蜊), wok-fried squid, and stir-fried sea whelk. Cap the night with fresh pours at a Tsingtao 1903 taproom near the marina, where you can compare draft styles.

Day 2: Old Town Icons—Zhanqiao, Little Qingdao, and St. Michael’s

Morning: Fuel up with a buttery croissant and flat white at Manner Coffee (several downtown locations) or a sesame jianbing from a street cart—watch for the busiest line. Stroll the photogenic Zhanqiao Pier, Qingdao’s postcard, then pop across to Little Qingdao Island (small entry fee) for lighthouse views back to the city.

Afternoon: Wander to the honey-colored St. Michael’s Cathedral. Continue to the German Governor’s Mansion (Guest House) Museum for stained glass and carved staircases (20–30 RMB). Lunch at Pichaiyuan (劈柴院), the old-town snack street—graze on sea-urchin egg custard, cumin lamb skewers, and stuffed buns; grab brown-sugar syrup babaofan for dessert.

Evening: Climb Xiaoyushan Park for a circular-view pavilion over tiled roofs, then walk to No. 1 Bathing Beach for a golden-hour paddle. Dinner around Taipingjiao for homestyle Shandong plates; afterward, browse Taidong Pedestrian Street for night-market sweets, roasted chestnuts, and fruit teas. For a quiet nightcap, try the St. Regis Bar near May Fourth Square for a coastal spin on the Bloody Mary.

Day 3: Badaguan Villas and Coastal Cafes

Morning: Coffee with sea breeze at Seesaw Coffee (check Hisense Plaza/MixC). Meander through Badaguan, where each avenue bears the name of an ancient pass and each villa whispers a bygone story—don’t miss Huashi Lou, a stone villa with turrets and sea views (small entry fee). Pause at pocket beaches tucked between pines.

Afternoon: Picnic in Zhongshan Park (cherry blossoms in spring), or detour to Second Bathing Beach for a swim. Lunch at a nearby coastal bistro—order tomato-and-egg noodles or seafood fried rice, and a cold Tsingtao draft.

Evening: Dress up for refined Shandong dishes at a well-reviewed hotel restaurant like Shang Palace (in the Shangri-La complex)—think scallion-braised sea cucumber and crispy yellow croaker. Stroll Hong Kong Middle Road afterward for illuminated skyline reflections on the bay.

Day 4: Laoshan Mountain—Temples, Tea, and Granite Ridges

Morning: Depart early for Laoshan Scenic Area (1–1.5 hours by car/ride-hail or bus/metro connections). Enter via Taiqing or Yangkou gate depending on your chosen route (admission typically 90–120 RMB plus shuttle; cableways extra). Visit Taiqing Palace, a serene Taoist complex wrapped in cypresses, then start a gentle ridge hike.

Afternoon: Break for a countryside lunch—farmhouse restaurants serve mountain greens, tofu with seaweed, and river fish. Try a cup of Laoshan green tea at a local tea garden, fresh and slightly sweet. Continue to Beijiushui for waterfalls and boulder-hopping trails, or take the Jufeng cableway if you prefer summits without the climb.

Evening: Return to town for restorative hotpot—Haidilao is a beloved national chain for friendly service; choose tomato or mushroom broth and dip local seafood, lotus root, and beef slices. Wind down with a breezy walk on the marina boardwalk.

Day 5: Beer, Art, and Sunset Over Tile Roofs

Morning: Head to the Tsingtao Beer Museum on Dengzhou Road (allow 1.5–2 hours; ~60–80 RMB including tastings). Trace the brand’s origins from 1903, then compare unfiltered drafts in the tasting hall. Save room for soft pretzels and beer sausages—or try clams in beer to keep it local.

Afternoon: Taxi or metro to the Qingdao Art Museum (near the old town) for rotating exhibitions, then swing by the historic Qingdao Railway Station to admire its European facade. Grab an espresso booster at Luckin Coffee (ubiquitous) or another Manner branch.

Evening: Catch sunset from Signal Hill Park—the panorama takes in the cathedral spires and the curving harbor. For dinner, opt for a seafood-and-veggies feast at a reputable local spot near the old town, ordering razor clams with garlic, sautéed pea shoots, and steamed scallops with vermicelli. After, sample seasonal brews at a Tsingtao 1903 taproom or try a mellow wine bar near Marina City.

Day 6: West Coast New Area—Golden Beach Day

Morning: Cross the bay to the West Coast (Huangdao)—allow ~45–60 minutes by car/ride-hail. Spread your towel on Golden Beach (Jinshatan), famed for its soft sand. Rent a beach chair and umbrella; in warmer months, consider a casual kayak or SUP session when conditions are calm.

Afternoon: Lunch beachside—grilled squid skewers, prawns, and icy chrysanthemum tea hit the spot. If you’re curious, swing by the Oriental Movie Metropolis area for futuristic facades and photo ops. Alternatively, linger on the sand with a book and a gelato.

Evening: Return to Shinan. Seafood again? Try a “pick-and-cook” experience at Jimo Road Seafood Market: choose live crab, mantis shrimp, and scallops, then have them cooked at an on-site kitchen (look for signs saying 加工). Finish with a seaside stroll, listening to waves tap the seawall.

Day 7: Last Sips and Souvenirs

Morning: Coffee and a pastry at Seesaw or M Stand Coffee (common in upscale malls), then quick shopping at The MixC (万象城) or Hisense Plaza for local gifts: Tsingtao beer specialty packs, Laoshan tea, and vacuum-packed Liuting pig’s trotter (for home cooking). If time permits, wander the Olympic Sailing Museum exhibits before checkout.

Afternoon: Depart for the airport or train station. The metro is predictable; by taxi/Didi, pad extra time for traffic. For tickets and schedule checks, use Trip.com flights, Kiwi.com, and Trip.com trains.

Where to Stay (quick picks)

• Sea-view hotels in Shinan: Close to May Fourth Square and the Olympic Sailing Center for easy walks and harbor views. Browse Hotels.com.
• Badaguan/Old Town boutiques: Historic villas and leafy lanes, great for photography and quiet evenings. See options on VRBO.
• Shilaoren Beach/Laoshan: More space, family-friendly beaches, easy access to mountain day trips.

Getting There and Around

• Flights: International and domestic routes to TAO; compare fares and times on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.
• High-speed rail: From Beijing, Jinan, Shanghai—check schedules on Trip.com. Qingdao has multiple stations; Qingdao Station is most convenient for the old town, Qingdao North for long-haul connections.
• Local transit: The metro spans key sights; taxis and Didi are plentiful. Airport–downtown is about 60–75 minutes by metro, or 45–70 minutes by taxi depending on traffic (approx. 120–180 RMB).

Seven days in Qingdao gives you the city’s full spectrum: coastal walks, imperial leftovers, temples in the hills, and cold pint glasses beading with sea air. Come for the beer; stay for the sunsets and the bracing Yellow Sea breeze that makes everything taste brighter.