InterContinental Hotel Qingdao

the port of Quingdao / Tsingtao

by globetrott

I arrived in Quingdao / Tsingtao by cruiseship at 03.30pm in wintertime, so it was becoming dark early and we also had some fog. Nevertheless you can see in my photos that Quingdao is a large metropole and not just a small town. The port has some buildings that look very "german" , the customs-officers are friendly, but mostly not able to speak english.
Taxis are not allowed inside the port-area, but there are a few of them waiting at the dock-gates in a distance of 200-300 meters from the ship. About taxis in China please read my warning-tip !

Qingdao, Shandong Province

by meteorologist1

Qingdao, located in eastern Shandong province, is best known to the world for its excellent Tsingtao Beer. The beer and the city itself have a noticeable German influence, since the Germans occupied Qingdao in the early 20th century. You will see a lot of German architecture around the city, including the train station building. This beautiful port city borders the Yellow Sea and it has many great attractions. The Zhanqiao Pier, which extends out into the sea, is famous because of the recognizable octagonal pavilion at the end of the pier; it is the logo of the Tsingtao Beer. Other attractions include the Underwater World and the Beer Museum, as well as the May Fourth Square, which commemorates the May Fourth Movement in 1919. Located just outside the city is the Laoshan scenic area, a famous and picturesque Taoist mountain, where you will be able to see some nice waterfalls and do some mountain climbing. Qingdao also has lots of nice beaches open for recreation. The city will host several events, including sailing, during the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics.

"How to get there..."

Qingdao is easily reached by any form of transportation: car, bus, air, train, and ship. Like most Chinese cities, Qingdao's train station is located in the city's center, within walking distance to many points of interest. The international airport is located about 23 km north of the city center. Many expressways lead into the city. 2 days to visit Qingdao should be enough.

Enjoy Qingdao!