A CHINESE RESORT WITH EUROPEAN HERITAGE

Qingdao (meaning Green Island), is an attractive city lying on the shore of the Yellow Sea. It is a resort city for the local Chinese and there are many popular beaches where you can relax and top up your tan. The city was also the setting for the yachting events in the Beijing Olympics.

Forming part of the German colony of Jiaozhou Bay, the historic old town of Qingdao still features European architecture from a century ago. The colonial period also saw the founding of the Tsingtao Brewery which produces the internationally famous Chinese beer. A visit to the factory will reward you with a tour of the bottling plant, some fascinating exhibits and free samples!  Qingdao International Beer Festival is held annually in the city.

There are many beautiful parks in the city with some by the seashore and others atop hills. Visit the Little Green Island which gave Qingdao its name and explore the botanical garden.  Or escape from the city to Mt. Lao (Laoshan), the highest coastal mountain in China and an important center of Taoism.