Qingdao is less crowded in the off-season, so I sincerely recommend visiting in March or April
Stroll through Qingdao, feel the gentle sea breeze 🌊, and enjoy the tranquility of time. March and April are the perfect months to visit 🔥
🗺️Itinerary:
✅Day 1:
Zhanqiao Pier → Catholic Church → Signal Hill Park → Daxue Road → Tsingtao Beer Museum → Xiaoyushan Park → Badaguan Scenic Area (Huashi Villa, Princess House, Butterfly House, No. 2 Bathing Beach) → May Fourth Square Light Show
✅Day 2:
Mount Lao Scenic Area (Taiqing Palace, Yangkou, Qipanshi, Jufeng) → Shilaoren Bathing Beach → Xiaomaidao Park → Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center → Lover's Dam Bar Street
🚌Transportation Guide:
🚎Take the bus, subway, or taxi between attractions in the city center. Qingdao subway lines cover the main attractions. Download the Qingdao Metro APP for easy travel.
🚗Visitors driving themselves can park their vehicles in designated parking lots and then walk or take scenic transportation to get around. Some sections of Qingdao may have traffic restrictions, so please check in advance and plan your route.
📷Must-see spots:
🌊Day 1:
✅Zhanqiao Pier
📅No reservation needed, open all day.
🎫Free.
⏰Recommended visit time: 1 hour.
📷Admire the sea view from Zhanqiao Pier, get up close with the seagulls, and take photos of the sea.
✅Catholic Church
📅No reservation needed, but internal visits may be restricted, so it is recommended to check in advance.
🎫Tickets are CNY 10 (internal visit).
⏰Recommended visit time: 1-2 hours.
📷Take photos of the Gothic-style Catholic Church, especially the colorful stained glass windows.
✅Signal Hill Park
📅No reservation needed, open all day.
🎫Tickets are CNY 15 (including the revolving viewing platform).
⏰Recommended visit time: 1-2 hours.
📷Climb the mountain to overlook the panoramic view of Qingdao, with its red tiles, green trees, blue sea, and sky.
✅Daxue Road
📅No reservation needed, open all day.
🎫Free.
⏰Recommended visit time: 1-2 hours.
📷Stroll along the artistic and fresh streets, take photos at the popular internet-famous walls, and feel the artistic atmosphere of Qingdao.
✅Tsingtao Beer Museum
📅It is recommended to book online in advance, especially during peak season.
🎫Tickets are CNY 60 (including beer tasting).
⏰Recommended visit time: 1-2 hours.
📷Learn about the history and brewing process of Tsingtao Beer and enjoy a free beer tasting.
✅Xiaoyushan Park
📅No reservation needed, open all day.
🎫Tickets are CNY 10.
⏰Recommended visit time: 1 hour.
📷Climb the mountain for a distant view, overlooking the beautiful scenery of Qingdao's old city and coastline.
✅Badaguan Scenic Area
📅No reservation needed, open all day.
🎫Some buildings, such as Huashi Villa, Princess House, and Butterfly House, require tickets for visits, and prices vary.
⏰Recommended visit time: 2-3 hours.
📷Stroll through the European-style building complex, admire the historical buildings, and watch the sunset at No. 2 Bathing Beach in the evening.
✅May Fourth Square Light Show
📅No reservation needed, performances at specific times in the evening.
🎫Free.
⏰Recommended visit time: 30 minutes to 1 hour.
📷Watch the light show and feel the modern atmosphere and nighttime charm of Qingdao.
🔥Day 2:
✅Mount Lao Scenic Area
📅It is recommended to book online in advance, especially during peak season.
🎫Ticket prices vary depending on the area visited. Additional tickets are required for attractions such as Taiqing Palace.
⏰Recommended visit time: one full day.
📷Visit Taiqing Palace to experience the influence of Taoist culture; visit Yangkou, Qipanshi, Jufeng and other attractions to admire the beautiful scenery of the mountains and sea.
✅Shilaoren Bathing Beach
📅No reservation needed, open all day.
🎫Free.
⏰Recommended visit time: 1-2 hours.
📷The sand is fine and the sea is clear, making it ideal for swimming, sunbathing, and taking photos.
✅Xiaomaidao Park
📅No reservation needed, open all day.
🎫Free.
⏰Recommended visit time: 1-2 hours.
📷Known as "Little Kenting of Qingdao", it has beautiful beaches and hills and is a great place for taking photos and relaxing.
✅Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center
📅No reservation needed, open all day.
🎫Some experience programs require tickets.
⏰Recommended visit time: 1-2 hours.
📷Visit the venue of the 2008 Olympic sailing competition and enjoy the fun of water sports by sailing a boat.
✅Lover's Dam Bar Street
📅No reservation needed, lively at night.
🎫Free.
⏰Recommended visit time: 1-2 hours.
📷Taste delicious food and enjoy the pleasant time with the sea breeze.
🥘Food recommendations:
►Wangjie Barbecue: Taste Qingdao's specialty grilled squid skewers, meat skewers, and other delicacies.
►Chunhelou: Taste classic Shandong dishes such as crispy chicken and braised intestines in brown sauce from this time-honored Qingdao restaurant.
►Wuming Snacks: Hidden in the old city, it is recommended to try local snacks such as pot stickers and wontons.
►Kaihai Hongdao Seafood Dumplings: Specializing in fresh seafood dumplings, they taste delicious.
🏨Accommodation recommendations:
✅Shangri-La Hotel Qingdao: Located in the city center with convenient transportation.
✅Crowne Plaza Qingdao: Close to the sea with beautiful scenery.
✅Seaview Garden Hotel Qingdao: Features sea views.
✅Qingdao Homestays (such as homestays near Badaguan): Experience local life.
⭕Avoid these pitfalls:
🔶Popular attractions such as Zhanqiao Pier and Badaguan have large crowds, so it is recommended to book tickets in advance or travel during off-peak hours to avoid congestion.
🏷️When tasting seafood, be sure to choose fresh seafood and ask about the price to avoid being ripped off. At the same time, pay attention to seafood allergies.
🏷️It is windy by the sea in Qingdao, so it is recommended to bring windproof and warm items such as hats and scarves, and apply sunscreen to prevent sunburn.
🏷️Mount Lao Scenic Area is large, so it is recommended to plan your route in advance and choose suitable attractions to visit according to your physical strength and time. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes, as some attractions require hiking.
🏷️When watching light shows or taking night tours at night, be sure to take care of your belongings, especially valuables, to ensure personal and property safety. At the same time, pay attention to personal safety and avoid walking on remote roads.
🏷️When visiting attractions that require tickets, it is recommended to purchase tickets online in advance or prepare cash to avoid queuing or being unable to purchase tickets.