Qingdao is among the first group of China’s best tourist cities. The city is a major traffic hub in East China and serves as a major port for overseas tourists to enter China.

Mountains, the sea and special historic elements combined to make Qingdao a famous destination for tourists at home and abroad in the early 20th century.

Qingdao is the only city in China listed among the most beautiful bays in the world in 2007.

In 2009, the coastal city welcomed over 40 million tourists, of which one million were overseas tourists. These tourists generated a total revenue of 48.9 billion yuan.

Historic, cultural and European elements

Qingdao is famous as an Architectural Museum due to its well-preserved European architectural styles. Landmarks include the Lighthouse, the pier, the German government house, the Christianity Church, the Christ Church and Ba Daguan Villa area.

Ba Daguan is listed among China’s Top Ten Historic and Cultural Streets in 2009.

The unique exotic elements together with coastal elements make Qingdao a popular place for film shooting.

Urban area in eastern Qingdao

The eastern part is the political, economic and cultural center of Qingdao.

Landmarks are May Wind at May Fourth Square and the Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center, which held the 2008 Olympic Sailing events.

Newly developed tourist spots such as Huiquan Square, Sculpture Street, Music Square, Qingdao Grand Theater and Ocean World line the streets of Donghai Road, Hongkong Road and Macau Road, providing a visual quality that shows the modern side of Qingdao.

National Shi Laoren Holiday Resort

The National Shi Laoren Holiday Resort, home to resort villas, a bathing beach, seaside Sculpture Park, dolphin performance house, International Beer City, Golf Course, Yacht Club, International Convention Center, Culture Exposition Center, Sports Center and Modern Arts Center, offers tourists with a good area combining sightseeing, festivals and sports.

Landscapes and relics scattered around the suburbs of Qingdao give tourists a chance to look back at history.

These spots include Langyatai, related to Chinese ancient emperor Qin Shihuang (259 BC- 210 BC), Tianheng Island, related to the emperor of Qi, Wei Stele in Tianzhu Mountain, relics of the Great Wall built by Qi during the Spring and Autumn period (770 BC to 221 BC).