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介绍
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In Brief
Getting Around
Places of Interest
Areas
One of China's most comfortable and prosperous cities, Qingdao is a terrific destination for an historical tour, weekend away, or business venture! It is famous for its delicious fresh seafood, Tsingtao Beer (China's most famous brand), and its colourful panorama of red-roofed houses and green trees overlooking an azure sea. The city has many spaces of parkland and forest, and is close to the Laoshan Scenic Area which has its own beautiful mountain landscapes and waterfalls. While tourism has long been a major draw for the city, Qingdao's hosting of the XXIX Olympic Sailing Regatta in August 2008 brought a torrent of visitors while also increasing awareness of the city around the world.
Climate:
Qingdao has a northern temperate zone monsoon climate with such marine characteristics as moist air, abundant rainfall and four distinctive seasons. It is neither too hot in summer nor extremely cold in winter. The average annual temperature is 12.2 C, with the hottest month being August (average temperature 25 C) and the coldest being January (average temperature 1.3 C).
Geography:
Qingdao's total area is 10,654 square kilometres, of which the urban area totals 1,102 square kilometres. Qingdao encompasses seven urban districts (Shinan, Shibei, Sifang, Licang, Laoshan, Chengyang and Huangdao) and five county-level cities (Jiaozhou, Jimo, Pingdu, Jiaonan and Laixi). Qingdao is a hilly city. 40.6 of the total Qingdao area is highland and lowland. Qingdao's total continental coastline is 730.6 km and accounts for a quarter of Shandong Province's total coastal area, encircling thirty-two bays and sixty-nine islands.
Population:
Total: 7.3 million
Urban: 2.5 million
Air
Qingdao International Airport
ph: (+86 532) 8471-5777
Rail
Qingdao Railway Station 2 Tai An Lu
ph: (+86 532) 8296-2777
| BJ to QD | ||||||
| Type | Depart | Arrive | Train | RMB/Rough It | RMB/In Style | Hours |
| Day | 06.45 | 12.43 | D51 | 273/Hard Seat | 328/Soft Seat | ~6 |
| Day | 8.30 | 14.22 | D53 | 273/Hard Seat | 328/Soft Seat | ~6 |
| Day | 11.15 | 17.04 | D55 | 273/Hard Seat | 328/Soft Seat | ~6 |
| Day | 13.25 | 19.22 | D57 | 273/Hard Seat | 328/Soft Seat | ~6 |
| Day | 16.05 | 21.57 | D59 | 273/Hard Seat | 328/Soft Seat | ~6 |
| Night | 22.50 | 7.22 (next day) | T25 | 220/Hard Bed | 338/Soft Bed | ~8.5 |
| QD to BJ | ||||||
| Type | Depart | Arrive | Train | RMB/Rough It | RMB/In Style | Hours |
| Day | 6.51 | 12.48 | D60 | 273/Hard Seat | 328/Soft Seat | ~6 |
| Day | 07.42 | 13.38 | D58 | 273/Hard Seat | 338/Soft Seat | ~6 |
| Day | 10.45 | 16.38 | D62 | 273/Hard Seat | 338/Soft Seat | ~6 |
| Day | 12.53 | 18.37 | D54 | 273/Hard Seat | 338/Soft Seat | ~6 |
| Day | 14.49 | 20.41 | D52 | 273/Hard Seat | 338/Soft Seat | ~6 |
| Night | 20.14 | 05.19 (next day) | T26 | 220/Hard Bed | 338/Soft Bed | ~9 |
Note - please check all travel information yourself before making a trip!
Qingdao's recently-renovated train station is an impressive place to travel in and out of, but be advised that it can take up to ten minutes to travel from the front entrance to some of the platforms. Always allow enough time to catch your train!
Buses
From out of town:
Qingdao Long-Distance Bus Station
2 Wenzhou Lu
ph: (+86 532) 8371-8060
In town:
Buses are a cheap and convenient way to experience Qingdao, costing 1-2 yuan for a trip in town and running regularly to destinations throughout the city. Many are standing-room only, though, especially during rush hour (5:00-6:30pm), and riders are advised to keep a close eye on valuables at all times. Particularly useful lines for visitors include the 316 (running from the temporarily-closed Qingdao Train Station in the west to Qingdao University in the east) and the 31 (running from No. 1 Bathing Beach in the west to Qingdao University in the east). Both these lines stop at or near many of the city's attractions.
Taxis
Transportation Bureau ph: (+86 532) 8281-7777
Taxis are a useful and convenient way to get around Qingdao. Please bear in mind that it might be difficult to communicate with the dirver, so it is best to bring a written address (in Chinese and Pinyin) or your destination and to be familiar with the pronunciation. Make sure that the driver uses the meter and is clear about the destination and route. There is a bilingual placard on the dashboard of every taxi with the information of the taxi and driver. Always get a receipt (fa piao), as it is a record of your journey and includes all of the driver's information in case you have any concerns related to your ride (such as misplaced property). It is generally a good idea to avoid travelling by taxi during rush hour (5:00-6:30), as this is also the time that almost every taxi in the city changes shifts.
Attractions
The diversity of sites and attractions around Qingdao is a testimony to the city's prominence in modern Chinese history, and to the quality of life enjoyed by its residents. The German Concession Area in the western part of the city is rich in European architecture, including Guangxi Lu, the Lutheran Church, and the Governor's Residence, and the old campus of Ocean University. 440m long Zhanqiao Pier, with a structure at the end recognisable from the logo of Tsingtao Beer, was built in 1891. Xiao Yu Shan (Small Fish Hill) offers sweeping views of the Concession Area, No. 1 Bathing Beach, and Zhongshan Park.
Travelling eastward along the oceanfront boardwalk, beautiful old villas and tree-lined avenues make Badaguan one of China's most sought-after neighbourhoods. Wedding parties flock to No. 2 and No. 3 Bathing Beach to be photographed in their finery. Music Square is a soothing place to take a break on a warm evening, and nearby May 4th Square has a great vista of the new Olympic Sailing Center in addition to its 'Wind of May' sculpture, which is a modern symbol of Qingdao.
Inland, the Taidong area has a great deal to offer shoppers, from the fashion-forward Pedestrian Street to the art galleries and knicknack troves of Wenhuashichang (Culture Market). Loads of restaurants can also be found between Taidong Yi Lu and Taidong Ba Lu. Jimo Lu Shichang has great deals on stationery, housewares and cultural items, but the abundant Prada knockoffs generally aren't of a quality worth haggling for. When you've had enough bargain hunting, go to the Tsingtao Brewery Museum just south of Taidong's Pedestrian Street for a history lesson followed by a free pitcher of China's most popular draft. During two weeks in August, the Qingdao International Beer Festival hosts breweries from around the world at locations throughout the city.
Beyond the city limits at Laoshan, the centuries-old Taoist monastery of Taiqinggong enjoys wonderful feng shui as it faces the azure sea with its back to the highest coastal mountain in China. Laoshan is many Qingdao residents' favourite place to get away from it all.
Officially, Qingdao consists of seven urban districts and five county-level cities. The urban districts are Shinan, Shibei, Sifang, Licang, Laoshan, Chengyang and Huangdao, and the cities are Jiaozhou, Jimo, Pingdu, Jiaonan and Laixi.
Most international-standard services and housing are located within Shinan, Shibei, Laoshan and Huangdao, and we find the following area distinctions helpful from the standpoint of use.
Hong Kong Garden
Hong Kong Garden is the epicentre of Qingdao's international entertainment scene featuring shopping malls, fine dining from around the globe (French, Korean, Russian, Japanese, pizza and more) and evening venues for everything from a pint after work to a quiet nightcap with a special someone to an electropop extravaganza with hundreds of new friends. Earlier in the day the movie theatre in Mykal is one of Qingdao's best.
The bars and restaurants begin just east of Fuzhou Lu (Jusco) and extend along Xianggang Zhong Lu to the intersection with Gaotiong Lu. The highest concentration of nightspots is one block north of Xianggang Zhong Lu.
By bus: 31, 316, 228, 222, 232, 225, 321, 501, 104, 304
Central Business District (CBD)
Built up in the mid-1990's, Qingdao's CBD encompasses some of the city's most valuable real estate, stretching along the coast of Jiaozhou Bay (home of Qingdao's newly-built Olympic Sailing Center, site of the XXIX Olympic Sailing Regatta in 2008) in either direction from the Municipal Government building. Minjiang Lu and Yunxiao Lu feature excellent restaurants from all over China -upscale bars and foreign restaurants also abound in this area, from flashy discos to fine Italian dining. The area also caters to shoppers, with upscale retail goods available at Sunshine Department Store and Jusco, and a large selection of groceries and household goods at Carrefour. If you need something to do indoors you can take your pick of KTV (karaoke) locales (open 24 hours, of course).
The CBD area is loosely bordered by Minjiang Lu to the north, Yan'an San Lu to the west and Fuzhou Lu to the east.
By bus: 31, 316, 317, 228, 225, 232, 26, 321, 314, 312, 501,104, 304
Badaguan
The 'eight great passes' which the name refers to are roads named after the major passes of the Great Wall. Adjacent to both old Downtown and the new Central Business District, with villas built during the German concession, several scenic capes, beaches and a particularly romantic stretch of boardwalk, Badaguan is the most highly sought-after residential area in Shandong province.
A few well-appointed restaurants and hotels can also be found tucked away under the streetlamps and sycamores. Whether exploring with a special someone or taking some sentimental time to yourself, Badaguan is a great place to visit any time of year.
By bus: 31, 316, 228, 26, 321, 314, 312, 501
Old Downtown
The administrative seat during each of Qingdao's foreign occupations and erstwhile home of the municipal government headquarters, Old Downtown features early-20th century architecture from several corners of the globe that add up to a truly fascinating historical walk (ask us about it!). With cobblestone streets and low townhouses, the art-deco former museum and the original campus of Ocean University (one of China's best), the area has a very cool feel and surprises around every corner.
While many official functions have moved East, Old Downtown still serves as a hub for domestic transportation and commerce. Zhongshan Lu is home to many international retail brands and services, and colonial facades make the experience somewhat more picturesque than modern shopping alternatives. Major entry and exit points include the train station (originally built by the Germans; under renovation until mid-2008) and the ferry station, which has regular boats to the development zone in Huangdao.
By bus: 2, 5, 316, 218, 228, 26, 321, 314, 312, 304
Taidong
Taidong is a sort of commercial and cultural bridge between the antique architecture of Old Downtown and the 'all mod-cons' vibe of the Central Business District. One can really find it all here (with the exception of a taxi at rush hour), from electronics superstores and Apple retailers to an outdoor antique and night markets, from a pet bazaar to bizarrely-painted apartment blocs. Tailors and fashion outlets abound. So do domestic dining options to fit every budget and taste, several international restaurants, and the jewel in the crown of famous Chinese brands -the original Tsingtao Brewery, which also houses a museum dedicated to Asia's most popular beer. Teeming with life all day and into the late evening, Taidong has lots to entertain but do be advised to look where you're stepping.
By bus: 1, 2, 11, 104, 218, 222, 226
Shilaoren
Named for a prominent rock formation visible from the coast, and sometimes anglicised as 'Old Stone Man'. Shilaoren is the current eastern extent of major commercial and residential development with world-class apartments (many with ocean views), fine dining and accommodations, and such cultural highlights as the Qingdao Municipal Museum, Polar Ocean World and the seaside Sculpture Garden. While major events are hosted at the Convention Centre throughout the year, the area booms every August when the Qingdao International Beer Festival moves into its dedicated 'Beer City'. The area also benefits from its proximity to nearby open spaces - golf courses are within easy driving distance, and a mountaineering shop offers lessons on an indoor climbing wall as well as gear to help you take on Laoshan.
By bus: 321, 104, 304, 501, 317, 11 (as far as Polar Ocean World)
Huangdao
The Port of Qingdao's new home, and site of the Qingdao Export Processing and Free Trade Zones. A fishing village until relatively recently, Huangdao is also home to a Polytechnic University and an ever-increasing number of factories engaged primarily in light industrial and textile manufacturing. The Beijing Film Academy is also currently developing a major campus in the area. Fine hotels and restaurants are sprouting up to serve the demands of a growing community of students, educators and international businesspeople.
Huangdao is also home to some of the best beaches in the area, making it ideal for a day trip or overnight excursion while in Qingdao. For best results, take one of the boats from Old Downtown's ferry station ('lundu') to Xuejiadao (12 minutes on the fast boat, 35 minutes on the big boat).
