Qingdao Independent Travel Guide: All You Need to Know About Eating, Staying, and Getting Around!

**Qingdao Travel Guide: Budget + Full Itinerary** (Includes ticket prices for attractions, accommodation, and food price references) --- ### 💰 **Budget Reference** (Per person/3 days 2 nights) - **Budget**: 800-1200 RMB - **Comfortable**: 1500-2500 RMB - **Premium**: 3000 RMB+ --- ### 🎫 **Attraction Ticket Details** 1. **Must-visit Free Attractions** - Xiaomai Island, Zhanqiao Pier, Badaguan, University Road, Taidong Pedestrian Street 2. **Paid Attractions** - **Laoshan Scenic Area**: 90 RMB in peak season (includes sightseeing bus), Yangkou Cableway one-way 35 RMB - **Tsingtao Beer Museum**: 60 RMB (includes one glass of original draft beer + beer nuts) - **Signal Hill Park**: 15 RMB (observation deck revolving hall requires an additional 10 RMB) - **Underwater World**: 170 RMB (recommended for family trips) --- ### 🏨 **Accommodation Price Reference** - **Hostels/Airbnbs**: 80-150 RMB/night (high cost performance in the old city) - **Budget Hotels**: 200-400 RMB/night (chains like Home Inn, Hanting, etc.) - **Seaview Hotels**: 600-1500 RMB/night (recommended near May Fourth Square/Shilaoren) - **Special Recommendations**: - German-style old villa Airbnb (300-600 RMB, experience European vintage style) - Seaview apartment near Polar Ocean World (500-800 RMB, sea view from the window) --- ### 🍺 **Food & Drink Guide** 1. **Seafood Markets** (self-purchase + processing) - **Yingkou Road Market**: oysters 15 RMB/jin, clams 8 RMB/jin, processing fee 5-15 RMB/portion - **Beer House Processing**: recommended steamed or spicy stir-fried, about 80-120 RMB per person to eat to fullness 2. **Must-try Restaurants** - Chuange Fish Dumplings: mackerel dumplings 38 RMB/portion, about 60-80 RMB per person - Huachun Restaurant: iron plate egg tofu 28 RMB, about 40-60 RMB per person - Sister Wang BBQ: grilled squid 15 RMB/skewer, about 50-70 RMB per person 3. **Beer Prices** - Bagged fresh beer: 5-8 RMB/jin (street stalls) - Original draft beer: 15-20 RMB/glass (beer houses) --- ### 🚌 **Transportation Costs** - **Airport → City Center**: Metro Line 8 costs 7 RMB, taxi about 80-100 RMB - **Getting Around the City**: - Metro: 2-6 RMB per trip (download "Qingdao Metro APP" for QR code) - Taxi: starting fare 10 RMB (3 km), taxi between old city attractions about 15-30 RMB - Electric scooter rental: 50-80 RMB/day (highly recommended for coastal rides!) --- ### 📝 **Classic 3-Day Itinerary + Costs** **Day 1: Old City Arts Tour** - Morning: St. Michael's Cathedral (free) → Qingdao Book House (coffee 30 RMB) - Afternoon: Signal Hill Park (15 RMB) → University Road Instagram Wall (free) - Evening: Taidong Night Market (snacks about 50 RMB per person) **Cost**: Tickets 15 + Food 80 + Transport 20 = **115 RMB** **Day 2: Mountain and Sea Romance Day** - Morning: Laoshan Yangkou Line (90 RMB + cableway 35 RMB) - Afternoon: Xiaomai Island (free) → Shilaoren Beach (free) - Evening: Beer Museum (60 RMB) + seafood feast (about 100 RMB per person) **Cost**: Tickets 185 + Food 100 + Transport 50 = **335 RMB** **Day 3: Seaside Slow Life** - All day: Huangdao Golden Beach (free) + Coastal Road cycling (bike rental 50 RMB) - Evening: May Fourth Square light show (free) **Cost**: Bike rental 50 + Food 80 = **130 RMB** --- ### 💡 **Money-saving Tips** 1. Student ID gets half price! Almost all paid attractions offer discounts. 2. Avoid processing seafood in scenic spots; choose beer houses in residential areas (like Sifang Road). 3. Combining metro + shared bikes saves half the transportation cost compared to taxis. --- **Total Budget Reference** (excluding major transportation): - **Backpacker Version**: 800 RMB (stay in hostels + public transport + mainly free attractions) - **Standard Version**: 1500 RMB (comfortable hotels + moderate seafood feasts) - **Luxury Version**: 3000 RMB+ (seaview hotels + seafood every meal with original draft beer) ---