Attractions · Qingdao

Zhanqiao is Qingdao's landmark, first built in the eighteenth year of the Qing Guangxu era (1892). It is 440 meters long, with the Huilan Pavilion at its southern end. Originally a military pier, it has become Qingdao's most famous tourist attraction. The pier reaches from the shore into the blue water, and its scenery changes with the seasons; it is the best place to view Qingdao's front sea. Qingdao's landmark, first built in the Guangxu era, has the Huilan Pavilion reaching into the bay like a pearl on the sea and is the starting point for watching the tide, listening to the waves and taking in the front sea. Highlights include the breakwater, views of the pier from the sea and the sunset over the front sea. Tip: go in the evening to enjoy the sunset and the night view of Huilan Pavilion. Practical info: located at 14 Taiping Road, Shinan District, Qingdao, Shandong; admission free; open all day. Best season: summer (July–September) for a seaside escape and the beer festival; autumn (September–October) for clear, crisp air and plump seafood. Combine with Badaguan, the Tsingtao Beer Museum and Mount Lao Scenic Area for a half- or full-day itinerary.

Tip: Go in the evening to enjoy the sunset and the night view of Huilan Pavilion.

• Address: 14 Taiping Road, Shinan District, Qingdao, Shandong
• Ticket: Free
• Opening: Open all day

Badaguan is one of Qingdao's most famous scenic areas. Eight roads named after passes of the Great Wall crisscross the district, which contains more than 200 European-style villas in the architectural styles of Russia, Britain, France, Germany, the United States and more than twenty other countries, earning it the name "international architecture exhibition." Each road is planted with a different species of tree, so the scenery changes with the seasons. Highlights include Huashi Villa, Princess Villa, the Song Family Garden and the peach blossoms on Shaoguan Road. The villa district named after the eight passes gathers Russian, British, French and other styles; Huashi Villa and the tree-lined avenues are scenic in every season, and it is known as an international architecture exhibition. Tip: the peach blossoms in spring and the golden leaves in autumn are the most beautiful. Practical info: located at Wushengguan Road, Shinan District, Qingdao, Shandong; admission free; open all day. Best season: summer (July–September) for a seaside escape and the beer festival; autumn (September–October) for clear, crisp air and plump seafood. Combine with Zhanqiao Pier, the Tsingtao Beer Museum and Mount Lao Scenic Area for a half- or full-day itinerary.

Tip: The peach blossoms in spring and the golden leaves in autumn are the most beautiful.

• Address: Wushengguan Road, Shinan District, Qingdao, Shandong
• Ticket: Free
• Opening: Open all day

The Tsingtao Beer Museum occupies the former site of the Germania Brewery Company Qingdao, built in 1903, and is China's first beer museum. It preserves the mashing workshop, fermentation tanks, copper equipment and old production line from a century ago, and displays the history of Tsingtao Beer from the recipes of German technicians to today's industrial production. The visit ends in the tasting area, and admission usually includes one glass each of unfiltered and draft beer. A beer museum in the old 1903 German brewery, it shows century-old mashing equipment, fermentation tanks and the earliest production line, and admission includes unfiltered and draft tastings — one of Qingdao's most characterful attractions. Highlights include the century-old mashing workshop, the old fermentation tanks and the Tsingtao Beer history exhibition. Tip: mornings are relatively quiet; admission includes alcohol, so do not drive. Practical info: located at 56 Dengzhou Road, Shibei District, Qingdao; ticket about ¥60 (includes tastings; subject to official notices); opening hours 08:30–17:30 (closing may be later in peak season).

Tip: Mornings are relatively quiet; admission includes alcohol, so do not drive.

• Address: 56 Dengzhou Road, Shibei District, Qingdao
• Ticket: About ¥60 (includes tastings; subject to official notices)
• Opening: 08:30–17:30 (closing may be later in peak season)

Mount Lao is the highest peak on China's coastline, at 1,132.7 meters, and is known as the foremost famous mountain above the sea. Its Daoist culture runs deep: Taiqing Palace was first built in the Western Han and is the second great Quanzhen Daoist monastery under heaven. Strange rocks stand throughout the mountain and clouds and mist swirl around it; from the summit you can look out over the blue waves of the Yellow Sea. It is a famous mountain combining natural scenery and religious culture. Highlights include Jufeng, Yangkou and the North Nine Waters. The foremost famous mountain above the sea and a Daoist holy site, it combines mountains and sea with strange rocks and cloud seas, while the thousand-year-old Taiqing Palace hides in the forest — an excellent place for climbing, praying and watching the sea. Tip: choose the south route (Taiqing Palace) or the east route (Yangkou), each with its own character. Practical info: located at Mount Lao Scenic Area, Laoshan District, Qingdao, Shandong; ticket ¥95 (peak season); opening hours 07:00–17:00. Best season: summer (July–September) for a seaside escape and the beer festival; autumn (September–October) for clear, crisp air and plump seafood. Combine with Zhanqiao Pier, Badaguan and the Tsingtao Beer Museum for a half- or full-day itinerary.

Tip: Choose the south route (Taiqing Palace) or the east route (Yangkou), each with its own character.

• Address: Mount Lao Scenic Area, Laoshan District, Qingdao, Shandong
• Ticket: ¥95 (peak season)
• Opening: 07:00–17:00

Golden Sand Beach lies in Qingdao's West Coast New Area and runs about 3,500 meters. The sand is fine and golden, and the seawater is clear and blue. It is one of Qingdao's most famous seaside bathing beaches and one of the main venues of the annual Qingdao International Beer Festival. In summer you can swim, surf and play in the sand, and in the evening enjoy the magnificent sunset over the sea. Highlights include the golden coastline and the beer festival venue. The soft beach in Huangdao has fine, gently sloping golden sand and clear water, and is Qingdao's most famous seaside bathing beach and sunset spot. Tip: summer is busy, so go early. Practical info: located at Golden Sand Beach Road, Huangdao District, Qingdao, Shandong; admission free; open all day. Best season: summer (July–September) for a seaside escape and the beer festival; autumn (September–October) for clear, crisp air and plump seafood. Combine with Zhanqiao Pier, Badaguan and the Tsingtao Beer Museum for a half- or full-day itinerary. Confirm the day's opening and reservation policy before setting out and allow enough time.

Tip: Summer is busy, so go early. The atmosphere is liveliest during the Beer Festival (August).

• Address: Golden Sand Beach Road, Huangdao District, Qingdao, Shandong
• Ticket: Free
• Opening: Open all day