Things to do in  Qingdao

Laoshan Scenic Area, one of China’s first national parks, has been a place of pilgrimage for centuries. The hills and slopes surrounding the 3,280-foot (1,000-meter) peak of Mount Lao are home to the Taoist Taiqing Palace, built in 140 BC, as well as waterfalls, precipitous gorges, and views across the Yellow Sea.

The Tsingtao Beer Museum commemorates some 100 years of German brewing history and heritage in China. Wander the halls of the two-story structure and learn about the traditions developed and perfected here, and sample cold and crisp beer right from the production line of one of China’s oldest working breweries.

A pretty little park lined with flowers and trees, Little Fish Hill Park (Xiaoyushan Park) stands atop a low hill with views of Qingdao, Little Qingdao, and the maple-forest-surrounded ocean. The tallest of its three pavilions, the 3-story Lanchao Pavilion, has the best views; the two smaller pavilions are the Bibo Pavilion and Yong Cui Pavilion.

Set along the coast southeast of Qingdao, the Badaguan Scenic Area (Eight Passes) is a historic neighborhood with a colonial past. More than 200 buildings and villas representing the architectural styles of more than 20 different countries can be found here, amid charming tree- and flower-lined streets and several beaches.

Qingdao’s first pier, Zhanqiao Pier, is a landmark of the city. Built in 1891, the 1,444-foot (440-meter) pier stretches into Qingdao Bay—and at the end of the pier stands the octagonal Huilan Pavilion, which famously forms a part of the Tsingtao beer logo. Zhanqiao Pier also offers stellar sea views, helping solidify it as one of the most popular attractions in Qingdao.

May Fourth Square (Wu Si Guang Chang) is a large and lively square in Qingdao’s central business district. Flanked by high-rise buildings, government offices, and Fushan Bay, it’s known for the large and striking May Wind sculpture, and is a popular place to enjoy expansive sea and skyline views.

A tiny islet linked to mainland Qingdao by a road bridge, leafy Little Qingdao (Xiao Qingdao or Qin Island) is a popular spot for a stroll and offers great views back towards the city. Highlights include a German-built lighthouse from 1900, a World War II Japanese torpedo dump, and a statue of a lady with a zither (qin).