Cruise Destination—Qingdao

Located along the southeastern coast of the Shandong Peninsular and the east of the Jiaodong Peninsular, Qingdao is a colorful and fascinating cruise destination. Comfortably nestled between mountains and sea, Qingdao is blessed with a pleasant climate. The charming sceneries, brilliant historic and modern cultures, perfect blend of the world’s diversified architectural styles, historic folk customs, interesting festivals and exhibitions, and multifarious resorts programs are among many attractions of the city. The Olympic co-host city, a place blessed with the world’s most attractive bays and a place where Chinese and Western cultures mix well，is known as one of the most fascinating tourist destinations in China.

Qingdao is the venue city for the 29th Olympic Sailing Regatta in 2008. The Olympic Sailing Regatta has left Qingdao precious tourism and culture heritage. The Olympic Sailing Center, meticulously improved after the Games, has been appraised as a ‘National Coastal Tourism and Recreation Demonstration Zone’. It has also become Qingdao’s new tourism hot spot.

The charm of Qingdao lies in its unique historic legacies, in its attractive integration of the oriental and western cultures and architectural styles, and in its effortless blend of the old and the new. The 730km long coastline, 50 bays, 69 offshore islands, and 10-odd lovely beaches make up a wonderful seashore view. In 2007 Qingdao bay was accredited as one of the world’s 29 most beautiful bays for its breathtaking scenery and sound ecological environment. MountLaoshan, which is also known as the No.1 Mountain on the sea, is a famous cradle for Taoism. Its main peak towers over all the other hills along the 18,000km Chinese coastline. The annual Qingdao International Beer Festival provides a stage for International cultural exchange, and is one of the most influential and attractive festivals in China. With unique characteristics, the marine festival, beach carnival, and cherry blossom festivalattract many tourists each year.

Must-see Sights

Laoshan Mountain

Laoshan Mountain is known as the “No.1 Mountain on the Sea.” It is situated on the coast of the Yellow Sea with a summit 1,133 m above the sea level. It stands by the sea with magnificent peaks, fantastic cliffs and clear streams and waterfalls. It has been known from ancient times as the“immortals’ abode” and “fairyland.”

The chronicle book “Qi Ji” says: “The high Mount Tai is not as good as Mount Laoshan.” Qinshihuang, the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty and Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty visited Laoshan. Emperor Xuanzeng of the Tang Dynasty assigned officials to come for elixir.

Many scholars and celebrities visited here. Laoshan is also acclaimed as the “No. 2 Taoist Quanzhen Forest in the World” with 9 palaces, 8 temples and 72 nunneries. Laoshan Taoist priests are well known in history. Laoshan was affirmed by the State Council as a national key scenic area and by the Ministry of Forestry as a national forest park. There are three routes to Laoshan; the middle, southern and eastern routes. The Laoshan Scenic Area Administration Commission was founded in 1989.

Its purpose is to protect, preserve and develop tourist resources. At present, the scenic area covers 446 square km, including 9 tourism areas and 5 restoration areas. The tourism areas include Jufeng (summit), Liuqing, Shangqing, Taiqing, Chessboard Stone, Yangkou, North Jiushui, Hualou and Dengying. The landscape restoration areas are located in Shazikou, Wanggezhuang, Beizhai, Xiazhuang Villages, Xifu Town and land and sea scenery spots in surrounding areas.

Southern, middle and eastern routes to Laoshan were opened in the recent years. The Taiqing, Yangkou and Hualou cableways have been completed and boat touring routes recently opened. Laoshan is now a famous scenic holiday area in China.

Best travelling season: May to October

Zhanqiao Pier

Zhanqiao Pier is the symbol of Qingdao. It was called Qianhai Pier, Nanhai Pier and Big Dock. Located in the Qingdao Bay, it is the extension of Zhongshan Road, the busiest commercial street in Qingdao. It is acclaimed as “a long rainbow on the sea”.

It was initially built in 1892, and was the first dock in Qingdao. It was rebuilt in 1931 and renovated in 1985. It is now 440 meters long and 8 meters wide. There is a semicircle breakwater at the southern end, and within the breakwater, there is two-storey eight-cornered pavilion with golden roof and red wall. This is the famous “Huilan Pavilion” (Wave Pavilion). Zhanqiao Pier looks like a dragon on the sea.

Walking on it towards the southern end, you feel as if you are entering the sea. Standing by the pavilion, you can see the waves coming with great force and splashes on the breakwater, with drops of water flying like pearls. Coming into the pavilion, and climbing to the top floor through the spiral stairs, you can see the sea on all sides. At this time, you will be convinced that Huilange is indeed one of the ten major scenes in Qingdao. In autumn, when the tide rises, the scene at the west of the pavilion is the best, with the 10 meter waves splashing on the breakwater with great sounds. Simply splendid!

When the tide recedes, there are lots of people on the intertidal zone, digging up clams. In the recent years, people organized “retain the seagull” campaigns. At the junction of autumn and winter and during windless days, you can see thousands of seagulls flying over Qingdao Bay, forming a picturesque panorama with the sea, the blue sky, the pavilion and the people. The north coast of Zhanqiao is now a park called Zhanqiao Park.

There are pine trees, lawns, and stone benches. In the night, the lamps in the streets and Zhanqiao are like beautiful flowers, and the light from the lighthouse on Mini Qingdao is reflected by the sea water, giving a fantastic atmosphere to the visitors. Zhanqiao Pier is also a landmark and famous tourist spot in Qingdao.

Best travelling season: June to November

May 4th Square

May 4th Square is named to honor the May 4th Movement which took place in 1919, and it is the core of the Sculpture Street on Donghai Road. On the north-south axis of the square are situated the City Hall, the concealed spring, the array spring, the lawn, the parterre, the symbolic sculpture “the Wind of May”, and the marine hundred-meter spring, contributing to the modern metropolitan scene with energy and magnificence.

The large-side steel structure sculpture “the Wind of May” spiral upwards, which looks like a light breeze, fully embodies patriotism and Chinese national cohesion of anti-imperialism and anti-feudalism in the May 4th Movement. The whole square is decorated with statues and springs, and surrounded by pine trees, meadows and flowers, featuring vigor, elegance and grandeur, typical of Qingdao character and time spirits. A symbol square of Qingdao, it is for assembly, recreation, entertainment, tours, sightseeing, etc.

Best travelling season: May to August

Qingdao No.1 Seawater Bath

Located within Huiquan Bay of Qingdao City, Qingdao No.1 Seawater Bath boasts a beach which is 580 meters long and over 40 meters wide. It was the largest seawater bath in Asia. Surrounded by mountains and verdant trees on three sides, the bath combines modern skyscrapers and traditional mansions skillfully and creates beautiful sceneries. The bath enjoys favorable natural conditions: water waves are small, the beach is flat, the slope is mild, and the sand is fine and soft.

Best travelling season: July to September

Eight Passes

Situated in the south of Qingdao City, Eight Passes Scenic Area best displays the features of Qingdao: red tiles, green trees, the azure sea, and the blue sky. “Eight Passes” is named after an important pass in ancient China. It is a famous scenic convalescent area in China. Many state leaders and important international friendly have stayed here. Since it combines architectural styles of more than 20 countries such as Russia, Britain, Germany, America , Denmark, Greece, Spain, Switzerland and Japan, it is unique in the appearance, and it is called “An Exposition of Architectures around the World”. Covering an area of over 70 hectares, “Eight Passes” has main roads named after China’s eight famous passes, namely Shao Pass, Jiayu Pass, Hangu Pass, Zhengyang Pass, Linhuai Pass, Ninghou Pass, Zijing Pass and Juyong Pass. “Eight Passes” integrates parks with yards. Trees on both sides of the ten roads are different in the variety.

Every season is suitable for travelling here.

Qingdao Polar Ocean World

Qingdao Polar Ocean World was built by the Dalian Haichang Group with a total investment of USD 200 million. It covers an area of 200,000 sqm, combining catering, accommodation, travel, tourism, shopping and entertainment.

It is the largest tourist project in Shandong Province so far, and was one of the seven major projects for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Qingdao Polar Ocean World integrates the culture, history and natural resources of Qingdao to create an “Ocean Disneyland” and the first marine sleepless city. The first phase of the project was a modern structure in the shape of a boat.

It has a floor area of 48,000 sqm and covers a land area of 30,000 sqm. It is the first hyper sized polar ocean zoo in China and one of the best in the world. It has the largest number of marine animals and the most species of polar marine animals. It abandoned the traditional water tank for animal-raising. Instead, it adopts acoustic, video and electrical hi-tech aids to create a real polar marine environment that gives visitors the feeling of being in a real polar ocean world.

There are special areas for popular polar science, scientific research equipment, culture and natural marina life. Visitors can experience a real polar research environment. Qingdao Polar Museum will be the forerunner for the second generation of polar museums and will provide a special experience for the visitors.

Every season is suitable for travelling here.

Golden Beach

Located along the coast of the Yellow Sea in HUangdao District, Qingdao City, Golden Beach extends in the form of a crescent from east to west. It is over 3,500 meters long. As the largest beach with finest sand and prettiest sceneries in China, it is called “No.1 Beach in Asia”. The beach offers coast leisure, entertainment, catering, sports, consultation and other tourism services.

Best travelling season: June to August

Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center

Situated beside the Fushan Bay in the new district of eastern Qingdao, Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center is next to the May 4th Square and Donghai Road. In its venue, you can still see facilities for yacht races of the 29th Olympic Games and the 13th Paralympic Games. Owing to yacht races, Qingdao is named “the Capital of Yacht in China”. There are two vivid architectures: one is a huge statue of the Olympic torch, and the other is a statue of yacht in front of the venue. National flags of various countries are floating overhead, creating a magnificent atmosphere. Besides event facilities, you can also travel by yacht. In beautiful and charming evenings decorated by lamp light, you can have drinks in Qingrenba Bar.

How to get here: take Loop Line 208, Loop Line 210, Loop Line 224, Loop Line 225, or Bus 369, get off at Ophthalmic Hospital Station, and then walk about 300 meters

Best travelling season: May to August

Source: Internet