| Surrounded by sea and mountains, Qingdao is noted for beautiful sceneries, and was named one of the first batch of best tourist cities in China in 1998. The magnificent coastline, the rolling fairyland Laoshan Mountain, the urban landscape dotted with red roofs and green trees against the blue sea and sky, the diverse architecture predominantly in a European continental style, the former residences of famous historical and contemporary personages, and the modern facilities for vacation, convention and exhibition have made Qingdao a unique city, which blends Chinese and foreign tastes and integrates mountain and sea views with city landscape. It has the most beautiful seaside and is an ideal destination for vacation, recreation, sightseeing, business activities, conferences and exhibitions. In 2010, 160 star-rated hotels, including 6 five-star rated, ones and 30 four-star rated ones, received over 45 million visitors at home and abroad, among which 1.08 million were foreign. Qingdao was among the top ten best tourist destinations, the most beloved tourist city of youth in China, and the most dynamic leisure city in China. Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center became the only “National Demonstration Zone of Coastal Tourism and Recreation”, and Qingdao International Beer Festival has ranked first among the "Top Ten Chinese Celebrations".
Historical Culture & European Taste Conservation Area
The numerous cultural properties nestling in charming natural scenery are a testimony to Qingdao’s century-old evolution and the integration of western and oriental cultures. The diverse historical and cultural properties, the well-preserved century-old streets and European villas, and the romantic bays and beaches form a unique European continental taste. Qingdao boasts of architecture with different exotic styles and has been called a “world expo on architecture”. The Badaguan architectural cluster was cited the “most beautiful urban district in China” and was included in the first batch of top 10 “Chinese famous historical and cultural streets”.
Fast-changing Eastern Urban Sightseeing Destination
The new town in the east is Qingdao’s political, economic and cultural center.
The building housing the municipal Party committee and government, the new town’s landmark architecture May Wind, and the sailing venue for Beijing 2008 Olympic Games are all in this area. The east-west seaside sightseeing path, Donghai Road, Hong Kong Road and Macao Road, which run through a series of scenic spots such as the Huiquan Square, the China Civilization Sculpture Street, the May 4th Square, the Music Square, the Seaside Sculpture Park, Qingdao Grand Theater, and Polar Ocean World, constitute a fascinating seaside landscape.
Shilaoren National Tourist and Recreation Zone
Shilaoren National Tourist and Recreation Zone was established upon approval by the State Council in 1992.
Combining sightseeing and vacation with festivals and sport events, It boasts elegantly arranged holiday villas, soft beaches, the Seaside Sculpture Park, the Polar Ocean World, the Dolphinarium, the International Beer City, the Golf Course, the Yacht Club, the International Convention Center, the Cultural Center, the Century Square, the Sports Center, the Modern Art Center and a host of other modern amenities.
Laoshan National Scenic Resort
This scenic resort comprises three parts: nine scenic spots, five scenic restoration spots,and extended land and sea views. The main peak Jufeng Peak is 1,133 meters above the sea level. Being the highest peak along China’s 18,000km continental coastline, Jufeng Peak is famed as China’s No. 1 seaside mountain and a famous 1,000-year old Taoist mountain. It was designated by the State Council as a key national scenic resort. At the same time, it is also a national civilized scenic resort, and the first “demonstration scenic area of digitization”. It was enhanced to be a 5A national tourist attraction in 2010.
Suburban Tourism Resources
Qingdao’s suburban areas also have rich natural and cultural landscapes and places of historical interest. Langya Terrace, a famous historic site, received three visits of the First Emperor of the Qin Dynasty, witnessed Goujian, King of Yue State, establishing the capital here, and was where Xu Fu started hits voyage eastwards. Tian Heng Island is the place where 500 chivalrous persons refused to surrender to the emperor and died a heroic death. Other famous historical sites include the Tianzhu Mountain cliffside carvings of Wei, the Mashan Mountain stone forest which is a national nature reserve, the remains of the Great Wall of the Qi State during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, and the Mahao Canal excavated during the Yuan Dynasty.
Qingdao has rich in rural tourism resources to develop rural tourist products such as sightseeing, sports, leisure, entertainment, catering, accommodation and shopping etc. Among 42 demonstration spots of rural tourism including Shilaoren Tourist Park and Baiguoshan Recreational Resort, 11 are at the national level. A rural tourism products system have been formed, including tea series represented by Laoshan Tea Garden, and flower series represented by Kutao Flower Trade Center and Chengyang Peony Garden, fruit series represented by Dazeshan Grape Festival and Beizhai Cherry Festival and fishing series represented by Huichang Fishery and clams in Hongdao Island, and vegetable series represented by Qingdao Vegetable Science and Technology Park and folk tourism series represented by “hillside and seaside rural households” and “households in mountains”. |
