Vacation in Qingdao China with Asian Vacations, Inc.

QINGDAO ATTRACTIONS

Mt. Laoshan

Lying 30km southeast of Qingdao and joining the Yellow Sea, Mt. Laoshan is worthy of a day excursion. The mountain is home to a famous Taoist Quanzhen Sect sanctuary in China. Taoist temples and beautiful scenery make it a nice getaway. The most famous beer in China Tsingtao Beer is brewed in Qingdao using spring water from Mt. Laoshan. Admission: �12.

Qingdao Beaches
There are altogether 6 beaches in the Qingdao area and almost all are worth a visit (for varying reasons.) The #1 beach (diyi yuchang) is perhaps the best of the lot, although it is often packed out. It is the longest of the beaches, around 580 meters long, and, like most of the others, covered in fine yellow sand. The beach has some interesting features: a view of the distant Huiquan cape, with the waves lapping its red reefs, the nearby Luxun park, with its shade-providing pines and cypresses, and its weird, round changing huts. For the more claustrophobic, #2 (Dier yuchang) and #3 (Disan yuchang) Beaches are probably a safer option; they are smaller, but less crowded. The #3 beach, especially, has charm, with kite fliers and lovers scattered about. At the eastern end of the beach, on the hill, is the Huashi Lou, a former German governor's residence built in 1905, with fantastic architecture and decent views of the surrounding area. The #6 Beach (Diliu yuchang), despite its popularity, is not really worth visiting for its beauty. It is mainly rock pools and dirty grayish sand. In the early morning the beach is filled with a profusion of tai ji practitioners, 70s tracksuit wearing joggers and fishermen. The walkway (Zhan qiao) and attached Huilan Pavilion (Huilange), the symbol of Qingdao (and its beer), are essential tourist destinations, although often packed with touts, vendors and visitors. If you are really after the secluded beach experience then your only option, and a long haul, is to head for the golden sands of Yellow Island (Huangdao) . After a high speed ferry, (about 20 minutes), and a longer public bus (or shorter minibus) ride, you will arrive at the long golden beach (Jinsha Haitan) in Huangdao. Initial impressions can be misleading, as the entrance to the beach is filled with stalls and Chinglish speaking hecklers, but it is easy to get away from this. You will need a good day to fully appreciate this trip. The ferry leaves from the local ferry terminal (Qingdao lunduzhan) on the western side of Qingdao (down the road from the Friendship Hotel).

The Small Qingdao Island
Unlike Qingdao City, the Small Qingdao Island is a very small island (In Chinese character, Qingdao and Qingdao Island is the same), which together with Zhan Bridge are the symbols of Qingdao City, Shandong Province. It is located inside the Jiaozhou Gulf. As its shape is like an old qin, a kind of music instrument, so it also has the name of "Qin Island". When Germans and Japanese occupied the area including this small island, it got two different names. The local residents called it "The Small Qingdao Island". The Small Qingdao Island is very close to Zhan Bridge. From Zhan Bridge, you can tell that this is an isolated island, 720m from the coast. Standing on the Huilan Pavilion on the Zhan Bridge, you can see clearly the beautiful scenery in the Island. The elevation of this lovely island is only about 17m with an area of only 120 sq. cms. This Island was originally a part of the mainland. Over the years the erosion by the sea gradually isolated the island from the mainland until it reached its present state. The most noticeable building is a white octagonal lighthouse constructed by German in 1900, standing high among beautiful rock and green trees. It was made of white marble. It has a height of about 15m. It was put into use in 1915. Inside of the house, on the top, there is a reflector with a range of 12 sea miles to give directions to all the ships passing here. After liberation, the tower was repaired and restored. When it becomes dark, "Light's reflection drifts around the Qin Island" is one of the ten best scenes in Qingdao City formed by the light and shadows reflected on the surface of the sea. In the past, there were many fragrant but rare yellow lilies which were called "Qingdao Lily" by the Germans. Later, with increasing number of tourists, lilies could no longer be seen. Lu Xun Park lies to the east of this Island. On the north side of the Island there is a levee. Now it has become the stopping place for yachts on the sea. Many flowers and trees for watching during the spring, the summer and the autumn like black pines and oriental cherries are planted fully on the Island. Since liberation, the Island was used to be used by detachment of yacht of navy of China. As early as the beginning of 1930's, the Small Qingdao Island was opened as a park and since the summer of 1988, it has become a spot for tour of Qian Sea. It is a good area for a brief stroll, giving good views of the Huilangge Pavilion, the rusting submarine and destroyer of the Naval Museum, and, if the weather is right, the nearby Yellow Island (Huangdao) nestling in mists. Address: 8 Laiyang Lu, through the Naval Museum. How to get there: Go through the Naval Museum, along the sandbank to the left of the submarine. Opening hours: Daily, 07:30 - 19:30. Cost: �10.

Ba Da Guan Scenic Area
With its colonial, predominantly German, history Qingdao contains the architecture of many different European styles. Outside of the old German Concession, north of the railway station, most of this history is displayed in Badaguan, also known as the Huiquan area. Badaguan, literally the Eight Passes, is so named because eight of the roads here are named after China's most famous passes. The area features Russian, English, French, German, and Danish constructions which are now mostly either large scale guesthouses or sanitariums. Badaguan is a great area to stroll through, not only interesting for its tree lined avenues and proximity to the Number One Beach, but also for budding botanists; the roads here are also known after the flowers or trees that line them, for example, Shaoguan Lu is also called Green Peach Road, Ningwuguan Lu is called Crabapple Road, Zhengyangguan Lu is called Crab Myrtle Lu. In recent years, a peach forest, flowering in spring, has been planted at the northeast corner of the area. While in the southwest corner lies the "the lovers' paradise", a place favored by lovers where the cypresses line both sides of the road. How to get there: Wander northwards from the Number Two Beach or straight off the Number One Beach and you will hit Zhengyangguan Lu. All of the roads around here are part of the Badaguan area.

Qingdao Catholic Church
Originally named St. Emil Church after construction was finished in 1934, the Catholic Church (Tianzhu jiaotang) is Qingdao's largest and most opulent church. After climbing the steep road off Zhongshan Lu, the 200ft twin spires rise majestically before you, claiming dominance over the surrounding buildings. The cool white interior is interestingly offset by garish pictures and life-size wax models of famous Christians, including a huge mural of a beatific Mary and some simple, tattily clothed Franciscans. The area around this church is also well worth a wander, with old 30s German buildings mixed in with modern Chinese concrete. The cobbled streets leading up to the church are normally filled with local Muslim vendors selling their wares, the meat and octopi on stick look intriguing, and are worth tasting. Opening hours for the Church are highly variable and out of season the place only seems to open on Sundays, but even without entrance this area is definitely good to visit. Access to the twin towers was blocked off for renovations at the time of writing, but it is always worth asking about. As with the nearby Protestant Church, services are normally held here every Sunday. Address: 15 Zhejiang Lu. How to get there: Take the lane opposite the Qingdao Hotel on Zhongshan Lu. Opening hours: Variable, but with services Sunday, 06:00 -7:00 and 18:00 to 19:00. Cost: �10.

Qingdao Protestant Church
The Qingdao Protestant Church (Jidu jiaotang), built in 1910, is one of Qingdao's quieter and more interesting sights. Although recently renovated this church still retains most of its original style and charm. Situated on a slight hill across from the Xinhaoshan Park, the 39.10m tall bell tower and 18m highmain hall, are easily missed on the winding roads leading up here. The church is in typical Protestant style, the sandy yellow walls and clay red tiles contrasting well with the grayish buildings around this area. Within, the church is spacious and austere and can hold between 300 and, allegedly, thousands of congregation. The highlight of the church is the bell tower which houses an old German bell and clock face. The mechanism for the clock and the bell itself can be seen after a short climb up a steep flight of steps. If the bell tower is open, try and get to the top on the hour, when the mechanism and bell explode into action. For those on for a bit more action the church apparently holds services on Sunday mornings. If not in time for this, one of the men on the door, who speaks passable English, will tell you when choir/carol practice will take place that week. Address: 15 Jiangsu Lu. How to get there: The church is on the intersection of Longjiang Lu and Jiangsu Lu. Opening hours: Varies according to season. Costs: �5.

Zhan Bridge (Zhanqiao)
Zhanqiao, a landmark of Qingdao City, was built in 1892 as a naval pier. Overlooking the lighthouse on Little Green Island (Xiao Qing Dao), the 440m long pier reaches into Qingdao Bay; and at the end there is the traditional two story Huilan Pavilion. In 1999 it was set up into a park. To the west is the #6 beach. Anyone who has been to Qingdao, or checked her beer labels, will not fail to recall Zhanqiao Pier (zhanqiao), the symbol of the city. This is an obvious destination for anyone wishing to complete their Qingdao experience. The views from here contrast sharply with the towering modern buildings looking down upon the old German Concession area, with its church peaks and parks, and with its red clay tiles interrupted by dark green pines. At full tide, the billowy surf rolls against the beach, the breakers sending up a fountain of spray. With the ebbing of the tide, appear the brown reefs and yellowish sand, a time for tourists and locals to gather conches and other seashells. Address: Off Taiping Lu, in the Tuandao Bay. How to get there: Head due south towards the sea from the railway station and you will see it to your left. Opening hours: 24 hours. Cost: free.

Taiqing Palace
Taiqing Palace (Taiqing gong), the largest, oldest and most impressive of the temples in Laoshan, lies to the southeast of the mountain and faces the sea. Altogether, the palace houses 140 rooms and halls including the most famous Three God's Hall, Three Purities' Hall and Three Emperor's Hall. The palace was first built during the reign of the first Emperor of the Northern Sung Dynasty (960-1279 AD) about 1,000 years ago and underwent complete rebuilding during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD), some 500 hundred years later. In front of the Three Purities' Hall is a pool with clear blue water, which was named Shengshui Spring Magical Spring) by the Taoists who lived in the Temple. It is said that the spring will never dry up. Embedded in a wall nearby are religious inscriptions on a tablet, which was written by Kublai Khan (the first Emperor of Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368 AD)) and the Jinhufuwen (Gold Tiger Magic Figures) issued by Genghis Khan. On a giant stone located to the east side of the Palace four big words are engraved, Bo Hai Can Tian (the waves reach to the sky), below which a famous line of small words reads, a visit here on the 28th year of the period of the first emperor of China. Every moonlight night, the water and the sky here blend into one, forming a breathtaking view. How to get there: Take Bus #304 from Taiping Lu. The journey is between a half to three quarters of an hour. Opening hours: Last public buses leave at 17:00, although minibuses can be caught infrequently after that. Costs: A total of around �60 (bus fare: �8-10; Laoshan entrance fee: �40; Taiqing Palace entrance fee: �10). For those in a group of four a taxi can be hired to take you there for �65-70.