One of the best 4 day household Qingdao itinerary – go to a novel Chinese language metropolis

Qingdao, China, was not a metropolis we had ever thought-about visiting. I solely knew the title by way of studying a Lonely Planet Information on China almost 20 years in the past. Little did I do know that sooner or later, our 18-year-old daughter would transfer to Qingdao on a cultural alternate for 12 months.

My spouse, my sister and our youngest teenage daughter headed to Qingdao to be taught in regards to the metropolis and its points of interest and see the place our 18-year-old was residing. Like most dad and mom, it was nerve-racking to have our daughter transfer straight from dwelling to an unknown metropolis so far-off.

We hope our time right here in Qingdao (pronounced Chin-dau) will assist guests plan their Qingdao itinerary and get essentially the most from their keep on this superb metropolis.

Qingdao is an enormous metropolis with a inhabitants of round 10 million folks, which is gigantic by Australian requirements however not that huge in China.

It takes 11 hours to fly between Melbourne, Australia )the place we dwell), and Qingdao, China, however fortunately, there’s solely a 2-hour distinction in time, that means we didn’t undergo any jetlag on this journey to China.

Qingdao receives loads of home vacationers however not many worldwide vacationers. Most menus and data at points of interest are in Chinese language solely, which may make it difficult however definitely not unattainable to place collectively an excellent Qingdao itinerary.

The folks in Qingdao have been more than pleased to assist and had Google translate prepared in case all of us began to wrestle!

Planning our Qingdao itinerary

Earlier than I begin sharing our itinerary for Qingdao, right here are some things to bear in mind when studying this journey information.

We didn’t attempt to jam in as a lot as attainable. We have been extra in Qingdao to go to our daughter than to sightsee, however in saying that, we expect we ticked off a lot of the finest points of interest in Qingdao.

We didn’t go to any museums, however we felt that we had lined the must-see locations in Qingdao.

We tried to restrict locations that will require plenty of studying as a result of Willow instructed us a lot of the textual content was in Chinese language.

The climate was additionally over 30 levels day by day, so we did issues slowly as my sister Rosie was travelling with us. Rosie was anxious in regards to the warmth and many strolling.

Our days of seeing the most effective Qingdao vacationer points of interest didn’t kick off until round 10.30-11.00 am every day. Breakfast was included at our resort in Qingdao, a few of us had a sleep-in and we needed to watch for our eldest teenager to fulfill us on the resort day by day.

We had deliberate a number of issues we wished to see and do earlier than arriving in Qingdao. Many locations in China which can be exterior of the primary vacationer cities, similar to Beijing, Shanghai, and Xian, are laborious to analysis.

We have been fortunate and had ideas from the household internet hosting our daughter throughout her cultural alternate in Qingdao. This was invaluable for us to see a number of the finest locations in Qingdao!

Day 1 – Qingdao 3-day itinerary

We have been staying at a central location in Qingdao at Vacation Inn Categorical Metropolis Centre, which is positioned on one of many fundamental roads, Hong Kong Center Highway. Our daughter Willow made her manner into the resort to fulfill us each day, and we set off to view Qingdao actually.

Haitian Tower Complicated

Our first cease was Qingdao 369, a viewing platform on the tallest constructing in Qingdao positioned within the Haitian Tower Complicated. The Haitian advanced consists of three towers, all at totally different heights.

The Haitian Tower Quantity One is way shorter and residential to the St Regis Resort, and Tower 3 is dwelling to a purchasing centre.

The viewing platform is in Tower Quantity Two, which is the tallest constructing in Shandong Provence. Tower quantity two is 160 meters increased than the opposite two towers and is dwelling to the Qingdao 369 viewing platform.

The platform sits 369 meters above the bottom and provides implausible 360 views of the town and coast. For thrill-seekers or perhaps simply the adventurous, there are three small glass backside sections the place you’ll be able to stroll out to see the views beneath.

This isn’t for the faint-hearted, that’s for certain, and Bec is frightened of heights however was an actual trooper when she ventured out onto the clear glass ground.

It was 3.8 kilometres from our resort, and we ordered a Didi (rideshare) on Alipay to get there.

Click on right here to learn a full overview of our go to to Qingdao 369

After taking within the implausible views and having fun with a espresso on the cafe, we headed into the purchasing centre at Haitian Tower Quantity 3 to go searching.

We grabbed some lunch within the purchasing centre whereas we seemed round. There have been plenty of locations to eat native meals and a Burger King for these searching for Western meals.

The Budaguan Scenic Space

After some window purchasing, we headed to the Budaguan Scenic Space. Qingdao is a really inexperienced metropolis with plenty of parklands, and the Badaguan Scenic Space is well-liked with guests to Qingdao. This a part of city has a number of inexperienced areas and two well-known homes to go to.

The Princess Home was named for Queen Margarete of Denmark. Worth Axel visited Qingdao and was so impressed with the Badaguan space that he purchased some land and constructed a home for his prinecess.

Sadly, she by no means visited Qingdao to remain in the home constructed for her.

Right this moment, the three story home has a number of small exhibitions and conventional furnishings. Outdoors is a very cool statue of somebody enjoying a cello, nice for footage.

Straight over the highway from the fairytale home is the Spanish Home. We wandered over the highway and checked it out.

This home was undoubtedly a tribute to all issues Spanish, with a bull within the entrance yard (don’t be alarmed. It was a statue). Inside, there have been sections about flamenco dancing and Spanish weapons. It’s fairly an eclectic assortment to see right here.

If you’re visiting on a scorching day be warned. The Spanish Home is stiflingly scorching inside. Mark was not in a position to keep in for lengthy and to be sincere I actually struggled in there too.

*There may be additionally a Butterfly Home however we determined to not go to that one.

Qingdao Swimming Seashore quantity 2

Simply two blocks away is the Qingdao Swimming Seashore quantity 2. You’re greeted by giant sand seashore and blue water. The world that’s household pleasant with altering areas, bogs and locations to eat and drink.

The swimming itself is protected as there aren’t any waves and also you swim in a netted-off space. It’s a nice possibility on a scorching day when you’re exploring the Budaguan Space in Qingdao.

The MixC Mall

We completed off day 1 in Qingdao by heading to the MixC Mall, one of many greatest and flashiest malls in Qingdao. With six flooring above floor and two underground, this place was enormous.

It had all of the Western manufacturers you’ll count on, like Nike, Apple, Sephora, Pizza Hut and extra, to spend cash. You might actually spend the entire day right here, its a vacation spot in itself with purchasing, eating, cinemas, gaming and even an indoor ice skating rink.

We took the chance to have dinner within the meals court docket whereas we have been there. There was a large selection of choices, from Chinese language meals to sushi, burgers, and extra—sufficient to swimsuit the entire household.

Whereas Bec and I had noodles, Willow had a Japanese bento field, Marley had a hen katsu and Aunty Rosie had a style of all of it earlier than settling for some not spicy noodles!

Day 2 in Qingdao

Breakfast at Vacation In Categorical is one the most effective we’ve had at this chain anyplace, loads of meals for individuals who like Asian and Western meals. Aunty Rosie just isn’t an enormous fan of spicy Asian meals however she discovered loads of choices at breakfast.

Polar Ocean World

Right this moment we have been headed for Polar Ocean World, north of the Qingdao metropolis centre. Willow had been to Polar Ocean World earlier than and extremely advisable it as one thing we simply needed to see in Qingdao as one of many high points of interest.

Our daughter was on the mark, that’s for certain. What set Polar Ocean World other than, say, Sealife was the kind of animals that they had.

All or a lot of the animals have been from Arctic areas within the northern hemisphere. We have been blown away seeing Bulga Whales, Sea lions and extra.

Through the day, there have been reveals placed on, as you’ll see at SeaWorld and comparable locations. It was so thrilling to see a Beluga Whale, they’re one thing we had solely ever seen on television.

What struck me in regards to the present we witnessed was that it was principally based mostly on some acrobats with solely partial involvement initially and finish with animals. There was additionally minimal animal contact throughout the present which we have been actually shocked with.

Be a part of our adventures on Youtube

You might spend as a lot time as you want right here, however I’d say if you wish to see a number of the reveals they placed on and go to the 5D cinema, permit not less than 4 hours or extra. There have been loads of locations to get meals. They even had Subway on web site, and it was all fairly priced.

We left and went for lunch at a close-by restaurant after which returned for a number of extra hours within the afternoon. This was among the finest issues in regards to the park, and this isn’t one thing we’re used to with the ability to do at dwelling.

It’s actually laborious to call the eating places we ate at as a result of there are generally no English translations. It was a Korean BBQ-style lunch, and we cooked the meat ourselves on a rotisserie-style grill. There was loads to select from and it was a heap of enjoyable.

One factor I’ll say is that aquariums and zoos in Asia are usually not of the usual you’ll discover in Western nations. We discovered Polar Ocean World to be a superb normal.

*Our daughter Willow is actually robust on issues like this and refuses to go to any zoos in Asia due to the way in which the animals are housed and handled. Simply be warned, it is probably not everybody’s cup of tea to go to locations like this.

We walked out round 5 pm, and simply 50-odd meters away from Polar Ocean World are steps and an escalator that takes you to the seashore.

There are a selection of locations to get some meals and drinks with views of the Yellow Sea, which is gorgeous on a pleasant evening earlier than sundown. We sat down at Grasp Puffy for a relaxation and a neighborhood Tsingtao Beer earlier than heading again into the town.

Willow headed dwelling from the Polar Ocean World whereas Bec, Rosie, Marley and I headed again into the town. Only a few hundred meters from our resort on Xianggang Center Highway is the Yohno King restaurant.

The three of us ate there for round $6 AUD every, together with a drink. We had noodles with pork stomach and crumbed hen.

It’s implausible worth for cash and a manner higher possibility than the McDonald’s subsequent door. Simply quietly, we did sneak in for a McFlurry afterwards! We tried to eat at totally different locations most nights in order that we may attempt quite a lot of meals in Qingdao.

Day 3 in Qingdao

We began the day by heading right down to Could the Fourth Sq., which has the most important steel sculpture in China.

Could Fourth Sq.

This sculpture is likely one of the symbols that folks know finest in Qingdao. Everybody who visits Qingdao comes right down to see this superb sculpture at Could Fourth Sq.. It’s painted shiny crimson within the nationalistic colors of China.

The Olympic Crusing Centre

The Olympic Crusing Centre begins just a few hundred meters from Could 4th Sq., and you may simply stroll between the 2 on the seaside promenade.

Qingdao is famend for its shoreline, which makes it actually well-liked with home Chinese language vacationers. One of many draw playing cards is the Qingdao Olympic Crusing Heart. When the 2006 Olympics have been held in Beijing, all of the crusing occasions have been held in Qingdao.

Now this space takes delight of locations and is classed a nationwide vacationer space.

Qingdao Harbour Cruise

One of the vital well-liked issues for vacationers to do on this space is to leap on a cruise across the harbour space.

After asking within the vacationer info centre, we have been pointed towards the ticket workplace. We may purchase tickets for $20AUD for a 60-minute cruise across the harbour.

One factor about China is that you’re by no means certain what you’re doing as a result of the language barrier is ever-present.

So we didn’t know the place this cruise went or what we’d see. Ultimately, the boat simply went out and across the Olympic Space to present us some superb views of the Qingdao Metropolis Skyline, together with the Haitian Tower we had visited on day 1.

Olympic Torch on the Qingdao Crusing Centre

If you wish to discover the Crusing Centre in Qingdao additional you’ll an enormous duplicate of the Olympic torch a large conference centre, purchasing centre, Qingdao yacht membership and a breakwater that has eating places all down one aspect. The world is simply so enormous.

It was time for a drink cease. In China you will discover Luckin Espresso in every single place, they’re principally the Chinese language model of Starbucks. Luckin has developed a repute because the Starbucks killer.

They’re opening retailers each week throughout China, whereas Starbucks is closing retailers simply as quick. Their menus are comparable, with several types of cold and hot espresso and particular seasonal drinks at half the value of Starbucks.

Zhansghan Temple advanced

Within the afternoon, we headed to the largest Buddhist temple in Qingdao. Zhansghan Temple advanced is positioned in Zhongshan Park and it is likely one of the greatest inexperienced areas within the metropolis. The park can be dwelling to the Qingdao Zoo and the Qingdao TV Tower.

We thought it was only a small temple, however upon coming into, we found it was an entire advanced of temples and pagodas. The lake on the entrance of the temple was full of Koy fish and large lily pads, which could be very quintessential Asian.

Temples are extra attention-grabbing for Bec and me than the women, in order that they discovered a seat to take a seat and chat whereas we walked across the advanced exploring buildings, doorways and gates.

*Whereas the women have been ready for us the monks that dwell on the Temple shared some watermelon with the women. It was scorching, and so they simply came to visit and supplied us some, too. None of us spoke one another’s language, however it was a stunning second for us all.

Yunxiao Highway Meals Road

By now, meal time was approaching, and Yunxiao Highway Meals Road was proper throughout the road from our resort. Qingdao delicacies is closely seafood-based since it’s on the coast.

The Yunxiao Highway Meals Road stretches for a number of blocks with eating places all promoting seafood dishes. You’ll not get far up the road with out somebody approaching you and telling you about their choices, and sure, it will likely be in English, however not fluent!

These eating places have enormous tanks stuffed with fish, and every part is cooked ultra-fresh on the spot. We had dinner at Yu Wharf and loved an entire deep sea fish.

We’re not often huge seafood eaters, however since Qingdao is famend for seafood, we thought we’d give it away.

Qingdao Mild Present on the Promenade buildings

After dinner, we headed to the waterfront to view the Qingdao Lights Present. Through the summer time months, the buildings alongside the water all mild up like nothing you will have ever seen earlier than. It’s merely gorgeous and bes tof all, fully free.

Even for youngsters like Marley, who has a brief consideration span, she was completely engrossed by the totally different mild shows that danced throughout the buildings of Qingdao. The show runs nightly in summer time for round two hours.

*You will see meals vans and stalls promoting snacks and drinks to get pleasure from whereas watching this implausible charge show in Qingdao.

Day 4 in Qingdao

We determined to attempt one thing totally different for breakfast, so we headed to McDonald’s. McDonald’s breakfast is much like many world wide.

China appears to have a fascination for espresso with orange juice, as I’ve seen in a number of locations. I simply needed to attempt one, and you already know what? It was fairly good, I need to say.

One other good possibility is switching your hashbrown for a fried bread stick, these are so yummy.

Qingdao Previous City

No journey to Qingdao is full with no journey to the outdated centre of the town. Qingdao was as soon as managed by Germany on the finish of the 18th century and firstly of the nineteenth century.

Strolling round this space felt acquainted to us as we’ve been to Germany many instances. This space of the Qingdao Previous City is stuffed with eating places, espresso retailers and meals stalls.

Bec and the women took the chance to attempt some candied fruit on a stick. It was nonetheless slightly frozen, so we put it in a bag, which was an enormous mistake! It thawed out and went in every single place!

St Michael’s Cathedral – Zhejiang Highway Catholic Church

While you see the cathedral, you’ll swear that you’re in Europe. It’s a traditional Catholic Church with an inside that appears prefer it was straight from a metropolis in Italy.

For us, it was much like many we’ve right here at dwelling and have seen whereas travelling, however it was beautiful to see it by way of the eyes of a number of the different guests to it.

There have been many Chinese language guests and we additionally met some folks in line from Germany and Spain.

Very Qingdao – Ingesting beer from a bag!

Our oldest teenage daughter is now of ingesting age, so we simply needed to attempt one thing very distinctive to Qingdao: ingesting beer out of a bag. Sure, you heard proper. You may even see folks in vacationer areas with a plastic bag half stuffed with beer, ingesting it by way of a straw.

One other legacy of the German occupation is beer, Qingdao is dwelling to Tsingtao Beer, the preferred beer in China and well-known world broad.

Qingdao Pier

A brief stroll from the outdated city down Zhongshan Highway will lead you to Qingdao Pier. The pier is likely one of the extra well-liked points of interest in Qingdao. It’s solely a brief stroll to the top, perhaps a number of hundred meters away.

Alongside the aspect of the pier, you will note pontoons, the place you’ll be able to pay for a ship trip across the space. Look forward to finding this space one of the crucial crowded in Qingdao. Folks additionally benefit from the seashore and exploring rock swimming pools round this space.

Learn our information to unbiased journey in China in 2025

Taidong Evening Market

No journey to Qingdao is full with out experiencing the Taidong Evening Market. This market has nearly every part from pretend designer manufacturers to good bargains in case you are keen to take the time and go searching.

The Market begins at 5.30 every evening and continues nicely into the evening. It may be intimidating with a lot occurring and the quantity of individuals round.

Bec and Marley purchased some slides for simply a few {dollars}, whereas there have been many garments and electronics on supply. It isn’t simply retail objects. You will see a meals part promoting all kinds of drinks and meals, together with spiders and bugs for the adventurous.

FAQ’s about Qingdao

This was not our first journey to China, so we had some concept how issues labored earlier than we left. Under are a number of the issues we realized throughout our time there that may enable you.

Cash in China

Utilizing cash and paying for issues could be a problem in China. Most funds in China are made by way of both AliPay or WeChat Pay. It’s very like tapping your bank card, besides they use QR codes in China.

Both they’ll scan your QR code very like an Eftpos Transaction, or you’ll scan their QR code, put within the quantity and present the retailer.

Money just isn’t nicely used, however in actuality, it’s in opposition to the regulation to refuse money funds in China. The issue with that is that many small retailers could not have the proper change when utilizing money.

*We didn’t have too many points utilizing Alipay and WeChat. Once we did the seller would often take our cellphone and type it out for us. At no stage was I anxious about this as they took the time to indicate me the steps that they have been doing and the quantities on their aspect as nicely.

How you can get round Qingdao

Qingdao has a complete metro system with seven strains masking most metropolis areas. The metro operates from 6:00 AM to 10:30 PM, with a practice each 2-5 minutes throughout peak hours.

The trains we went on have been very clear and organised. The road stops have been in English, as have been the bulletins over the PA. There was an English possibility on the ticketing system too once we bought our tickets

We discovered the DiDi ride-share service (like Uber or Seize) to be an effective way to get round Qingdao. It was straightforward to organise and really low cost to make use of, and in scorching climate, it was air-conditioned!

How you can get to Qingdao

Qingdao is positioned on the coast some 650 kilometers south east of Beijing. You possibly can simply go to Qingdao by flying into Qingdao Jiaodong Worldwide Airport. The airport accepts each Worldwide and Home flights.

The airport is positioned round one hour from Qingdao and has direct metro entry to the town, alternatively you’ll be able to e book an airport switch like we did.

Town is a part of China’s Excessive-Velocity Rail community and is related to Jinan (the capital of Shandong) and Beijing. We caught the high-speed practice from Qingdao North Practice Station to Beijing.

It took slightly over 3 hours. Watch our YouTube video overview of Qingdao North Practice Station. One of the best place to e book your China rail tickets is on Journey.com.

Learn extra about how straightforward it’s to catch a high-speed practice from Qingdao North Railway Station.

The place to remain in Qingdao

We stayed at Vacation Inn Categorical Qingdao Metropolis Centre, an IHG Resort. Not understanding a lot in regards to the high quality of native inns, we selected to remain right here as a result of we knew Vacation Inn can be of a sure normal.

The resort was positioned in an excellent location simply 10 minutes stroll from the seaside and Could Fourth Sq..

Simply throughout the highway have been Yunxiao Highway Meals Road, The InZone Mall and McDonalds. If you’re coming from the airport by metro, there’s a cease simply 100 meters from the resort known as Fushfansuo.

The rooms have been comfy, and the included breakfast had a superb vary of Western and Asian meals. Issues similar to bacon, eggs, toast, cereal, yoghurt, pizza and nuggets for Western meals lovers, whereas Asian meals similar to congee, dumplings, fried rice, stir fry, wantons and extra.

One of the best time to go to Qingdao

The summer time months convey scorching and humid climate with temperatures within the 30s, whereas winter sees the chilly set in with common temperatures round 2 levels.

Remaining ideas on Qingdao

Qingdao is a good metropolis to go to for a number of days and never someplace that many would select whereas in China, however I’m glad we visited. We felt protected always, and I truly felt safer there than I’d in Melbourne.

The streets have been clear, the climate was nice, and the infrastructure was implausible. Tons to see and do, and simple to get round.

We extremely suggest a go to to Qingdao. We hope this text on Wyld Household Journey has helped shine a highlight on Qingdao.

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