Beaches and Mountains in Qingdao, China - 24-Hour Travel Guide
Afternoon goof-off at the beach in Qingdao (courtesy Flickr: Phil~)
A view of the city from Shi Lao Ren Sightseeing Garden (courtesy Flickr: tokuiki)
A relaxing morning at Zhongshan Park (courtesy Flickr: kafka4prez)
The TV Tower offers excellent views (courtesy Flickr: Haldini)
Overview - Qingdao is one of China’s most beautiful cities. Set along the coast of the Yellow Sea, it is cuffed by beautiful mountains and breathtaking beaches. Today you’ll explore some of the loveliest natural scenery that Qingdao has to offer.
Breakfast - Start off today with tea and dim sum at Dunhuang Haixian Jiulou near the Grand Regency Hotel. Tasty dumpling bites are served from carts where you simply pick and choose, keeping track of items from a list as you go. The tea is bottomless, but you might have to go in search of a server, as this restaurant is extremely busy!
Morning - Begin with a stroll through Zhongshan Park, Qingdao’s largest municipal park. Visit the zoo and botanical gardens and ride the chairlift to another side of this mountainous park. Afterwards, head up to the Shi Lao Ren Sightseeing Garden, set back into the hills on Laoshan Road. Here, small paths and covered walkways wind up and into the hills, offering spectacular views of Qingdao and the surrounding area. Take a seat inside one of the many peaceful pagodas for a bit of rest and relaxation.
Lunch - For lunch, head back down to the Old Courtyard of Tang’s Family for some excellent local hotpot. Dine downstairs in the common hotpot area, or get a private room upstairs for more peace and quiet. Hot pot is a soup/stew cooked by yourself with ingredients laid out on a buffet (or you can order special ingredients to be brought to your table). It makes for a fun and interesting do-it-yourself meal.
Afternoon - This afternoon, you’ll get a taste for Qingdao’s many beaches. Start off at No. 1 Beach, a long, sandy beach that stretches out the east end of Qingdao. Here you can partake in water sports like jet skiing and parasailing, but the best activity is to simply people-watch at this busy beach. If you get sick of the crowds, try No. 3 Beach, a less-lively, attractive beach where the entrance fee guarantees clean changing rooms and less noise.
Dinner - For dinner, try HBR, where a unique blend of Brazilian and Chinese foods creates and tasty fusion dinner. The staff dress in Brazilian cowboy outfits and serve endless plates of roasted BBQ meats. Conversely, you can order your pick of several Chinese dishes, or simply mix and match. Make sure to get there early or go after 8 pm, as it gets very crowded!
After Dark - An evening view of Qingdao’s city lights is best taken from the top of the T.V. Sightseeing Tower. There are several viewing platforms to choose from, but the highest is 348 meters above sea level and affords a comprehensive circular view of the city and harbor. After taking in your fill of the view, stop for a cocktail or drink in the rotating restaurant on the level below.
Sleep - The Seaview Garden Hotel offers friendly service and clean rooms in a lovely garden setting. They also feature a nice breakfast buffet, which can be handy if you are tired of Chinese breakfasts. The best part about this hotel, though, are the beautifully manicured lawns and plant life that give it a secluded feel. Seaview rooms are available.