Crowne Plaza Qingdao

Qingdao

by Anand1560

"Qingdao-A romantic city"

The City resembles LA, Yes its true. The City planner was from LA its elf!. The city will give you a western atmos. and its at beach side!!

"qingdao-City of Romance"

View form my Hotel

"Qingdao City of love"

mmmmm yes thats me with my translator.

The Beaches

by myin

There are altogether 6 beaches in the Qingdao area and almost all are worth a visit (for varying reasons.) The No.1 Beach (diyi yuchang) is perhaps the best of the lot, although it is often packed out. It is the longest of the beaches, around 580 meters long, and, like most of the others, covered in fine yellow sand. The beach has some interesting features: a view of the distant Huiquan cape, with the waves lapping its red reefs, the nearby Luxun park, with its shade-providing pines and cypresses, and its weird, round changing huts.

For the more claustrophobic, No.2 (Dier yuchang) and No.3 (Disan yuchang) Beaches are probably a safer option; they are smaller, but less crowded. The No.3 beach, especially, has charm, with kite fliers and lovers scattered about. At the eastern end of the beach, on the hill, is the Huashi Lou, a former German governor's residence built in 1905, with fantastic architecture and decent views of the surrounding area.

The No. 6 Beach (Diliu yuchang), despite its popularity, is not really worth visiting for its beauty. It is mainly rockpools and dirty grayish sand. In the early morning the beach is filled with a profusion of tai ji practitioners, 70s tracksuit wearing joggers and fishermen. The walkway (Zhan qiao) and attached Huilan Pavilion (Huilange), the symbol of Qingdao (and its beer), are essential tourist destinations, although often packed with touts, vendors and visitors.

If you are really after the secluded beach experience then your only option, and a long haul, is to head for the golden sands of Yellow Island (Huangdao) . After a high speed ferry, (about 20 minutes), and a longer public bus (or shorter minibus) ride, you will arrive at the long golden beach (Jinsha Haitan) in Huangdao. Initial impressions can be misleading, as the entrance to the beach is filled with stalls and Chinglish speaking hecklers, but it is easy to get away from this. You will need a good day to fully appreciate this trip. The ferry leaves from the local ferry terminal (Qingdao lunduzhan) on the western side of Qingdao (down the road from the Friendship Hotel).

"Qingdao Map"

CHINA_Qingdao- more pictures

by Regina1965

"Qingdao"

It was really surprising seeing a Christian Cathedral in China.

"Qingdao"

At the beach in Quingdao. I love the beach and didn't expect to be going to the beach in China in October so that was a nice surprise. Lovely beaches, but we were the only "Western" people there and a small boy came up to us and gave us some candy which I cherish.

"Qingdao"

This area was far away from the posh area where we were staying. I hope these people don't mind that I add their photo here on VT. Great contrasts in wealth in Quingdao. We got stuck in this area after dark, not being able to find a taxi.

"Qingdao"

The promenade close to the Shangri-La hotel, very busy and a lot of stalls selling all kinds of stuff and people flying kites.

"Qingdao"

The whole group went to a restaurant together and the waiters kept bringing more and more food - and then some more, we were getting frustrated as we couldn't eat it all and they were always bringing more. I have 5 photos of members of the group in frustration looking at all the food, but don't want to add their photo here without their permission as the expression on their faces is hilarious.

"Quingdao."

I changed my mind, I am adding one photo of the waiters bringing all this wonderful food, - and us not being able to eat all this food.

"Quingdao."

The view from the Shangri-La hotel.

"Qingdao"

This was beautifully made out of flower in the same street as the Shangri-La hotel. Not knowing any Chinese I have no idea what it means.