Qingdao Travel Itinerary – City Transportation

Qingdao is a very outstanding coastal city. The climate here is very suitable and meets the needs of different groups of people. It is also known as the Sailing City, with its marine entertainment culture and seafood cuisine being quite famous. Below, we will share with you a Qingdao travel itinerary and an overview of its city transportation.

Qingdao, a city where you can eat seafood, drink beer, and enjoy the ocean!

A three-day trip to Qingdao is all about eating, drinking, walking, and sightseeing. It’s relaxed and comfortable, without the rush of tour groups, just your own pace and comfort.

Accommodation and Transportation

From the airport, we took a Shouqi car for 70 yuan to reach the Orange Crystal Hotel in the city center. The hotel was luxurious, from the lobby to the guest rooms, it exuded high-end elegance and sophistication. When we first entered the room, we didn’t even know how to turn on the lights…

In Qingdao, we mainly relied on taxis for transportation. Ordinary taxis have a starting fare of 10 yuan, while high-end taxis have a starting fare of 12 yuan.

The taxi meters seemed to jump quite quickly, but we didn’t have to worry about drivers taking us on detours because the city is relatively small. However, whenever we encountered traffic jams, we felt frustrated seeing the meter climb rapidly!

If you have ample time and want to explore the city leisurely, you can consider taking the bus.

Food

Coming to Qingdao, naturally, seafood and beer are must-tries!

I love seafood because it’s scarce and expensive in the mainland, and the seafood is usually small. But in Qingdao, it’s different. The fishing season has just started, so it’s the perfect time to enjoy fresh seafood! They say that the beer on Beer Street in Qingdao is the most authentic, and you should look for old-established shops. So, we went to Beer Street and indulged in a seafood feast. We ordered small seafood like clams, razor clams, and some other types of shellfish that I couldn’t remember their names (we were too busy eating!). Although each shop has its own storefront, they’re all similar to street food stalls. There are also many vendors selling flowers, fruits, yogurt, and musical bands performing to create a lively atmosphere. It’s definitely lively! Of course, we also had seafood at other places, and the taste wasn’t significantly different, but the prices were much cheaper. The quality and freshness of the seafood were definitely top-notch. I’ve never tasted such plump and juicy seafood!

As for beer, I enjoy drinking it, but I’m not a connoisseur. I can’t distinguish different flavors, so I couldn’t tell the difference between the beer on Beer Street and that from other places in Qingdao. But Qingdao beer is indeed different from beer from other regions. It has a higher alcohol content, and the first time I drank it, I got tipsy!

This one must be incredibly delicious.

Apart from seafood and beer, there aren’t any other particularly unique dishes. The food is similar to what we have in our own cities.

Attractions

Of course, you have to visit attractions when you travel.

Recommendation One: The Tsingtao Beer Museum. If you like beer, you must come here. Online group purchases are 10 yuan cheaper than buying tickets at the museum.

It showcases the history of beer and the production process. The animations and real-life displays are amazing, making you instantly feel that beer is as prestigious as white wine and red wine!

It wouldn’t be very interesting if it was only about learning. The highlight is that they offer free beer tasting, at least two glasses per person. If you purchase different types of tickets, you’ll get different treatments. There’s also a bar where you can raise a toast and enjoy your drinks!

This is the history of Tsingtao beer.

A sip will surely bring about a wonderful transformation in your body and mind.

Recommendation Two: The Olympic Sailing Center and May Fourth Square. This isn’t a place for play, it’s for strolling, chatting, and enjoying the night view. Walking by the seaside, you just want to sing a song, “The sea breeze blows gently, the waves sway gently…”

Recommendation Three: Shilaoren and the Bathing Beach. I heard that the sea view at Shilaoren is incredibly beautiful. On our way to Shilaoren, we saw the Bathing Beach and stopped to play in the water…

So, we didn’t make it to Shilaoren…

Oh, vast ocean! Mother! This sentiment is quite fitting!

The ocean has nurtured life and sustained all living beings. Regardless of how far inland you come from, when you reach the seaside, you can’t help but feel the joy of returning to your mother’s embrace. This joy could be excitement, openness, or awe at the first sight, or childlike delight. In short, it’s just so joyful! Even my husband, a stoic man, was scouring the beach for seashells! It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve been to the seaside, it’s always worth another visit!

I’ve been to the beaches of Sanya, which are clean and give off an elegant aura that can only be appreciated from afar. The beaches in Qingdao, on the other hand, are friendly and inviting, perfect for fun and games!

Recommendation Four: The Ocean Aquarium. There are two aquariums in Qingdao. Eight years ago, I went to the Underwater World, which is a true aquarium where you can see many marine creatures and experience a colorful underwater world.

This time, we visited the Polar Ocean Aquarium, which showcases polar animals like seals, sea lions, snow wolves, and penguins. Of course, no aquarium is complete without a dolphin show. This time, we even had a photo opportunity with the handsome dolphins!

One of the highlights of the Polar Ocean Aquarium is the 5D movie, not suitable for those with heart conditions or high blood pressure! It’s about the future world, quite thrilling!

The seat’s movements, especially those at the base, made me hug my legs a few times… Want to know what the movie’s like? Come and experience it yourself!

Important Reminder:

When visiting the Polar Ocean Aquarium, be sure to purchase tickets from the official ticket booth, which is clearly marked on the ground. Walk straight from the entrance of the scenic area towards the aquarium, and the official ticket booth will be next to the aquarium!

Recommendation Five: The Sailing Base. This is the training base for sailors. There are sailing athletes training here. Of course, I only saw them from afar…

I heard that when we went, it was the last day for tourists. I don’t know when it will be open to tourists again. My husband wanted to spend a few tens of yuan to take a ferry to see the sea, but I dragged him to spend a few hundred yuan for a sailing experience.

However, sailing is different from taking a ferry or speedboat. The power comes from the sails, and the direction is controlled by the sails, leaving everything to the wind and the ocean! I was quite nervous at first, but I relaxed after I got used to it.

Sailing across the waves and gazing at the horizon, where the sky meets the sea, you might feel the exhilaration of setting sail or the tranquility of returning from a voyage. Amidst the vast ocean, it’s just you and yourself!

This is the training venue for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. It’s pretty cool, too.

We didn’t spend a short time in Qingdao. If you plan well, you can also visit Laoshan Mountain, as every taxi driver recommends it.

But considering that my husband and I were already quite tired from our previous travels, our Qingdao trip felt a bit more relaxed.

Our Qingdao trip ended happily. It’s a city worth revisiting! Verdict reached!

Friends who want to come to Qingdao to play, get moving! Now is the best time to enjoy seafood.