Qingdao 青岛
Seaside city with German-era streets and beer
Good forBeaches, Food, History
Suggested stay2–3 days
Best timeMay–June and September–October
A coastal city in Shandong that was a German concession from 1898 to 1914. Visitors come for the seafront, red-roofed old town, beaches and Tsingtao beer. It is a common summer escape for Chinese travellers.
Highlights
- Badaguan — villa district with tree-lined streets
- Tsingtao Brewery Museum
- Zhanqiao Pier and the old-town seafront
- St Michael's Cathedral
- Laoshan — coastal mountain with Taoist temples
- No. 1 Bathing Beach
Food to try
- Clams stir-fried with chilli (gala)
- Seafood dumplings (mackerel or squid ink)
- Fresh Tsingtao beer
- Grilled squid
Getting there
Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport (TAO). About 3 hours by fastest high-speed train from Beijing.
Train times are typical; check current timetables on 12306 or Trip.com.
When to go
Best: May–June and September–October. Avoid or plan for: Crowded beaches in July–August school holidays; cold, windy winters; sea fog in spring.
Good to know
- Jiaodong airport is about 40–60 km from the old town; allow 1 hour or more.
- Laoshan is a full-day trip; check bus and cable car times.
Visa notes
- Visa-free entry: citizens of 79 countries can visit China for up to 30 days or more without a visa. Check your passport →
- 240-hour transit: Qingdao is inside the area you may visit on China's 240-hour visa-free transit (for 57 nationalities, flying on to a third country).