City guide · 青岛 Qingdao
Qingdao
A seaside city of red roofs and green trees: Zhanqiao Pier, Badaguan and Mount Lao
Qingdao is a coastal city on the south shore of the Shandong Peninsula, with red roofs, green trees, blue sea, and blue sky, and its old city hides a modern city built in German style. In two to three days you can cover Zhanqiao Pier, Badaguan, Signal Hill, and May Fourth Square, then leave one day for Mount Lao; in summer you can swim in the sea, and in winter you can see the empty sea. Qingdao in summer means "swimming in the sea and drinking beer," while September to October is when seafood is at its fattest. Also worth visiting in the city: Tsingtao Beer Museum, St. Michael's Cathedral, Signal Hill, May Fourth Square, Olympic Sailing Center, Zhongshan Park, Little Qingdao Island, Little Fish Hill, Naval Museum and Former Site of the German Governor's Residence.
History
How the city came to be
In the narrow sense, Qingdao's urban history began in 1891, when the Qing court stationed troops and established an administration here; in 1897, Germany used the Juye Incident as a pretext to send troops to occupy Qingdao, and on March 6, 1898, the Jiaozhou Lease Treaty was signed, with a lease term of 99 years. Germany built the port and the Jiaoji Railway following a Western urban model, and Qingdao rose on the strength of "one port and one railway." In 1903, German investors founded a brewery here, the predecessor of Tsingtao Brewery. During World War I in 1914, Japan occupied Qingdao, until December 10, 1922, when China formally recovered the Jiaozhou leased territory. During the Japanese occupation, Qingdao developed manufacturing led by textiles, transforming into an industrial and commercial city. In 1991, the first Qingdao International Beer Festival was held, and it has since become the city's signature summer festival.
- 1891The Qing court stationed troops and established an administration in Qingdao.
- 1897German troops occupied Qingdao.
- 1898The Jiaozhou Lease Treaty was signed, with a lease term of 99 years.
- 1903German investors founded a brewery (the predecessor of Tsingtao Brewery).
- 1914Japan occupied Qingdao.
- 1922On December 10, China formally recovered the Jiaozhou leased territory.
- 1938Japan occupied Qingdao for a second time.
- 1949Qingdao was liberated.
- 1991The first Qingdao International Beer Festival was held.
Stories
Stories of the city
Emperors seeking immortals
Legend · Mount Lao
Legend has it that both Qin Shi Huang and Emperor Wu of Han came to Mount Lao hoping to meet immortals. Tales like these add a touch of mystery to this mountain by the sea.
Wang Lang and Northern Mantis boxing
Legend · Mount Lao
Northern Praying Mantis boxing is traditionally attributed to Wang Lang. He is said to have lived on Mount Lao and created the style there.
Pu Songling's Mount Lao
History · Mount Lao
Pu Songling visited Mount Lao several times and wrote it into his Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio. "The Taoist Priest of Mount Lao" tells of a young man who goes up the mountain to learn the art of walking through walls, only to bang his head against a wall when he shows off at home; "Xiangyu" is about flower spirits on the mountain.
The legend of Princess Villa
Legend · Badaguan and Zhanqiao Pier in Qingdao
Princess Villa is said to have been built by a Danish prince for his sister. The sources themselves present this as hearsay and note that the Danish princess never visited Qingdao.
Must see
Places you shouldn’t miss
Mount Lao
Mount Lao is the highest peak on mainland China's coastline, with its main summit, Jufeng, rising to 1,132.7 metres; its granite peaks stand rig…
Badaguan and Zhanqiao Pier in Qingdao
Zhanqiao Pier reaching out to sea from Qingdao Bay pairs with Badaguan, a modern villa quarter named after mountain passes: on one side sea, sky…
Trips beyond the city
These places can be explored from this city but lie outside it. See each place for transport and visiting guidance.
