Qingdao

Qingdao Passenger Transport Center stands off Xingjian Road, about 2 miles from the city centre. Shuttle buses are usually supplied for the journey into central Qingdao.

Pack a printable map.

Qingdao, also called Tsingtao, is an attractive seaside city in the south-east of Shandong Province. Korea and Japan lie a short distance to the east across the Yellow Sea, helping make Qingdao an important international trading city.

For thirty three years until 1949, Qingdao was a colony of Germany and Japan. The resulting quantity of European architecture, a surviving element of its colonial past, now enhances this coastal city.

Red roofs, green trees, blue water and an azure sky create Qingdao's bright, colourful appearance. The city is sometimes described as the Switzerland of the Orient.

With sea on three sides, Qingdao draws many visitors through its appealing coastal scenery. Memorable attractions include the Eight Passes Villas, Zhan Bridge, Wusi Square and Mt. Laoshan. A simple walk on the sand while listening to waves break on the beach is also enjoyable.

Tsingtao Beer is internationally known, and Tsingtao Brewery ranks among the Port of Qingdao's most popular visitor attractions. Founded by German colonists in 1903, it has consistently been China's most popular beer and has long been the best-selling Chinese beer in the United States. The brewery museum welcomes visitors and offers samples of its outstanding products.

As part of its cooperation with the Beijing Olympic Games, Qingdao hosted the Olympic Games Sailing Competition.

Xiaoyu Hill forms the Port of Qingdao's old quarter. Amid its numerous stone houses, villas and German-built properties, Qingdao Guest House, also known as the German Governor's Residence, is the leading place to visit. Beautifully maintained and in excellent condition, it holds fine antiques such as an antique ivory piano, together with marvellous ornaments. Many celebrated guests have stayed here, including Chairman Mao.

For urban travel, a taxi or van is usually the best option because both are plentiful and extremely inexpensive. Speak to the driver beforehand to assess their language skills.

One sample itinerary begins with a drive of about half an hour to Qingdao landmark Zhan Bridge, an extension of the road into the sea.

Continue to Xiaoqingdao Island, a pleasant small peninsula. From above it resembles an ancient lute, giving rise to its other name, Lute Island. Then visit May Fourth Square. Also called Wusi Guangchang, this large public space lies in Qingdao's central business district. A popular attraction, it has the city government to the north, sea to the south and residential and commercial premises on either side. In pleasant weather, young couples fill the ground and kites fill the air.

Taxi drivers fall into roughly three groups:

Avoid touts, who will charge many times the correct fare; walk half a block to find honest cabbies. The mechanics have built their own taximeters, with all the consequences that entails. Honest cabbies form by far the largest group, >90%, as the Chinese government is clamping down on poor treatment of tourists. People become more honest the farther south you travel in China. Ensure the driver activates the meter or get out!

Important: when purchasing a guidebook for a town, obtain the latest available edition. Construction moves so quickly that something present today may disappear tomorrow. Check that its maps show both "English" and "Chinese" characters so you and the taxi driver can communicate by pointing. Cabdrivers speak only Chinese.

Qingdao has distinctively flavoured food, particularly seafood, so use the opportunity to enjoy its delicious local catch. The city is also home to famous Qingdao (Tsingtao) Beer; try a bottle of pure Qingdao Beer in Qingdao itself.

Every major tourist town has at least one shopping centre aimed at westerners, often the only place to find larger clothes sizes. These centres can be enjoyable, but be aware that nearly everything is fake and bargaining is difficult. A quick method is to hold out the notes showing what you will pay, then walk away. If the seller gestures for you to return, complete the transaction. Remain polite throughout.

Restaurants often cluster in particular city districts and use highly colourful decorations to attract diners. Look for places patronised by Chinese families. Most menus show photographs of each dish, while seafood is generally kept alive in large tanks. Dining out in China is a lively, usually noisy feast with little etiquette. Enjoy it, but drink only bottled water and use it even to clean your teeth. Take normal precautions when eating.

Yuan, also called Renminbi or RMB, is the local currency.

You may occasionally receive a counterfeit note, usually in a low denomination. There is nothing you can do, so retain it as a souvenir.

Internet access is extremely well established in China. Almost every modest hotel provides WiFi in its rooms, and public areas contain Internet stations, often free or available for a very small fee.

China emergencies use 110; Hong Kong and Macao use 999.

Shops appear to have no fixed opening times and seem to remain open while customers are present.

Chinese New Year lasts about two weeks. This is when all Chinese people travel, making transport extremely hectic.