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After Qingming Festival, when the blossoms of southern China have faded and the flower-viewing season has shifted north, spring arrives in Shandong. Facing the sea, spring blossoms bloom. Qingdao embodies this poetic line. From April to May, the romantic cherry blossoms and swirling roses create a scene of exquisite beauty. "The blossoms are so numerous they dazzle the eyes." In this warm coastal city, let's enjoy spring together and find the train to spring.
In "Impressions of Qingdao", Wen Yiduo described the scene of cherry blossom viewing in Qingdao like this: "In mid-April, the gorgeous Japanese cherry blossoms bloom like a river in the sky. Two rows of cherry blossoms ten miles long meander on the mountain path. You walk under the trees, and when you look up you can only see the sky embroidered with cherry blossoms." Come to Qingdao in spring.
Qingdao's average temperature in April is between 10-20°C, making it a comfortable and perfect place for a trip. Enjoy the sea breeze, dine on seafood, and become a paradise for art and photography enthusiasts. Qingdao is undoubtedly one of them.
❀Average temperature in Qingdao in April
❀Qingdao city blooming in spring
What's spring without enjoying flowers? Qingdao, in particular, is a vibrant hub of cherry blossoms, tulips, paulownia trees, azaleas, wisteria, and more. The sea breeze is filled with the fragrance of spring blossoms, and walking down the streets is a delightful experience. Let's take a look at some of the best places in Qingdao to enjoy the flowers.
When it comes to viewing flowers in spring, the first reaction is to go see the cherry blossoms, which are a limited romance exclusive to spring. Under the pink and white cherry trees, the flying petals are gentle and affectionate, it is the April in the world. If you have been to Yuantouzhu and seen the cherry blossoms in Pingba, Guizhou, then the cherry blossoms in Qingdao can also be a place on your travel list.
Flowering period: Single cherry blossoms in mid-to-early April, double cherry blossoms in mid-April to early May.
Flower language: elegant, simple and pure love.
Recommended locations: Zhongshan Park, Badaguan, Ocean University of China (Laoshan Campus), Sanming South Road, Beilingshan Park, Sakura Town
❀Qingdao Cherry Blossom Map
Qingdao is known as the city with the most densely planted cherry blossoms in China, undisputed. Globally, Qingdao's cherry blossom plantings are second only to Japan. Kang Youwei once said of Qingdao's cherry blossoms: "Fallen petals spread across three miles, an inch thick, and the cherry blossoms lining the streets resemble scattered clouds." Why are there so many cherry blossoms in Qingdao? This has to do with the city's history.
Qingdao has a nearly century-long history of cherry blossoms. Following Germany's occupation of Qingdao in 1898, the park was converted into a botanical experimental field, with land acquisition and demolition of abandoned villages and houses in 1902 and 1905. Over 230,000 plants, representing over 170 species of flowers and trees from around the world, are now planted here. The most distinctive of these are the 20,000 cherry trees transplanted from Japan, which have become a unique feature of the park. Following the Sino-German War in 1914, when Japan replaced Germany as ruler of Qingdao, further cherry blossom plantings were expanded, creating a nearly one-kilometer-long cherry blossom corridor running north and south through the park.
Qingdao's Zhongshan Park is renowned for its early spring cherry blossoms. The park boasts over 2,000 single and double cherry trees, primarily single. All are Japanese, with the Somei Yoshino (single cherry) being the most common. A 660-meter-long Cherry Blossom Street is lined with cherry trees.
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Cherry blossoms in Qingdao:
The Qingdao Cherry Blossom Festival has a history of more than 80 years and is held in Zhongshan Park between April and May every year. In the 1930s, the cherry blossom viewing activities in Zhongshan Park were already famous, and the "East China Sea Flower Sea" was listed as one of the ten scenic spots in Qingdao.
❀660-meter cherry blossom path in Zhongshan Park
The area near Juyongguan Road is where the most cherry blossoms are concentrated in Badaguan. The sunlight shining on the old buildings is set against the surging white of the cherry blossom branches. It is all so perfect. And if it is the cherry blossom season, being showered by a cherry blossom rain next to the century-old villas may make people feel like traveling through time.
❀Cherry blossoms and European-style buildings in Badaguan
During cherry blossom season, compared to the bustling scene of Zhongshan Park's Cherry Blossom Avenue, Sanming South Road, located on Jinmen Road in Shinan District, is a beloved "private treasure" for Qingdao residents. Every spring, the cherry blossoms lining this approximately 100-meter-long path weave together to create a breathtaking tunnel of blossoms in the sky.
A strong Japanese atmosphere is created here. By replacing and replanting cherry blossoms on the surrounding hills, a cherry blossom garden landscape has been formed; Tongxing Road has been transformed into an 800-meter green corridor with more than 230 single and double cherry trees planted.
Cherry Blossom Avenue, located west of Wuziding on the Laoshan Campus of Ocean University of China, is one of the most distinctive roads on campus. Every spring, when the cherry blossoms bloom, the roadside blossoms fill the air, creating a breathtaking spectacle. Two rows of cherry trees, intertwined in their branches, create a natural "cherry blossom tunnel," a particularly striking sight. The road encompasses the former Haiyuan South Road, Haiyuan Middle Road, and Minxing Middle Road, passing through the South Gate and the library to the North Gate.
Cherries ripen early, earning them the nickname "the first of a hundred fruits." Yellow orioles are said to particularly favor these fruits, hence the name "oriole peach." Qingdao, especially Laoshan, is a cherry-producing region, so naturally, the cherry blossoms bloom in early spring, a dazzling display of splendor.
❀Train to Spring
Flowering period: mid-to-late March to early April
Flower language: Nothing to love, purity
Recommended locations: Dalao Cherry Valley (Laoshan District), Shazikou (Laoshan District), Laoshan Beijiushui (Laoshan District)
❀Qingdao Cherry Blossom Map
Cherry blossoms are in full bloom, blanketing the mountains like mist and clouds, creating a fairyland-like scene. Some are already in full bloom, while others are still buds, creating a vibrant interplay of pink and white. Local fruit farmers explain that the cherry trees here in Laoshan are the first to bloom, so every spring, the area is bustling with visitors eager to admire the blossoms. Throughout Beizhai Subdistrict, there are approximately 400,000 cherry trees.
The answer is no, cherry blossoms and cherry blossoms are two different flowers.
Cherry blossoms are simple, white, with five petals, clustered together. After the petals fall, they produce fruit, known as cherries. Cherry trees are relatively small. Cherry blossoms are ornamental trees with pink or red flowers. Double-petaled cherry blossoms have three or five flowers per branch in an umbel-shaped inflorescence, but most do not produce fruit. Single-petaled cherry blossoms also produce fruit, but they are very small, astringent, and almost inedible. Cherry blossom trees are taller and larger.
❀Guess what flower this is?
Legend has it that in ancient times, the cuckoo bird would cry day and night, coughing up blood, staining the flowers across the mountains red, hence its name. Azaleas typically bloom in spring, with clusters of 2-6 flowers. Their funnel-shaped corollas come in red, pale pink, apricot red, snow-blue, and white. Their vibrant colors have earned them the nickname "the most beautiful flower." You've seen hundreds of miles of red azaleas, but have you ever seen a sea of purple azaleas? Qingdao boasts a unique azalea sea.
Flowering period: early April to early May
Flower language: forever belongs to you
Recommended locations: Dazhushan (Huangdao District), Laoshan Jufeng (Laoshan District)
Dazhushan is known as "the first mountain to bloom crimson in spring," where vast expanses of azaleas transform from pink to purple, instantly painting the hillsides red. Dazhushan's "Three Sisters of Azaleas"—the blue broom, the mountain azalea, and the Kongtong flower—each possess unique characteristics. The blue broom, which blooms earliest and lasts longest, is at its peak around the Qingming Festival. The vibrant azaleas open in mid-April, and the Kongtong flower reaches peak bloom in late April, lasting until May. A trip to Qingdao is a must, to enjoy the spring, pray, and see the blossoms.
❀The purple azalea sea at Dazhushan
"Wisteria hangs from trees, its blossoms gracing the spring air." How can you miss this dreamlike wonderland of spring? The flowers are abundant and fragrant, the thick leaves fill the vines, and the pods are laden with fruit. The spring blossoms, with their bluish-purple butterfly-shaped corollas and purple or deep purple petals, are truly stunning. Dotted in the warm May sun, they add a touch of gentleness to Qingdao. Slow down and savor the fragrance and beauty of spring.
Flowering period: late April to mid-May
Flower language: Deep longing, persistent waiting
Recommended locations: Zhongshan Park (Shinan District), Huiquan Square (Shinan District), Badaguan Huiquan Road (Shinan District), Qingdao Art Museum (Shinan District), Xinhao Hill (Shinan District), Licang Cultural Park (Licang District)
❀Qingdao Wisteria Flower Map
The most spectacular wisteria in the old city is in the courtyard of Qingdao Art Museum near Xiaoyu Mountain. Strings of wisteria hang down like waterfalls, and together with the architectural complex of Qingdao Art Museum, it integrates styles of different religions. It is also a unique example in Chinese architectural history. Opposite the flower stand is one of the Buddhist-style buildings, which is particularly beautiful for taking pictures.
Wisteria flowers bloom in front of an old building on Huiquan Road in Badaguan. The tree is believed to be 60-70 years old. Every year, when it blooms, it attracts many tourists and locals visiting Badaguan to admire and photograph it. The gentle breeze carries the fragrance, and the blossoms are beautiful.
In May, when all the flowers in Qingdao have faded, it's time for roses. Strolling through Qingdao's alleys and streets, you'll suddenly be greeted by clusters of roses lining the walls. Clusters of white, pink, and red, combined with the unique sea breeze and artistic charm of this city of mountains and seas, the roses offer a romantic farewell to the waning days of spring.
Flowering period: mid to late May
Flower language: has the meaning of eliminating hatred
Recommended locations: University Road (Shinan District), Badaguan (Shinan District), Keda Branch Road (Laoshan District)
Walking into the Wanguo architectural complex, there's no need to search for roses along the street. Inside and outside the quiet European-style courtyards, roses are already blooming freely, poking out from the walls. The most concentrated spot for flower viewing is at Ningwu Pass, where the exterior walls of buildings are adorned with roses, creating a vibrant scene of yellow walls and pink blossoms, creating a fragrance that captivates even before the blossoms are visible. This artistic atmosphere is a favorite among photography enthusiasts.
Qingdao's University Road offers more than just art and coffee. In May, when the roses are in full bloom, strolling along it feels like being transported to Xiamen's Gulangyu Island. The delicate fragrance of flowers, scattering petals in the breeze, mingles with the subtle aroma of coffee. Strolling the streets with a cup of coffee in hand, you're truly the most artistic person.
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Summary of rose flower viewing in various districts of Qingdao
Shinan District
Viewing locations: Shandong Road central isolation zone, Ningxia Road slope protection (near the district government), Kaohsiung Road slope protection, Feixian Road (near the train station), Badaguan
Shibei District
Viewing location: Central strip of Shandong Road, Central strip of Liaoyang West Road
Licang District
Viewing locations: The large green area south of Qingshan Road (between Wannianquan Road and Junfeng Road), Jiushui Road (between Baolong and Normal School), and Chongqing Middle Road (between Zhenhua Road and Yanshou Palace Road).
Laoshan District
Viewing location: Keda Branch Road, Laoshan District
Chengyang District
Viewing location: Chuncheng Road, Mingyang Road
The main form of transportation in Qingdao is buses. Ordinary buses cost 1 yuan, and air-conditioned buses cost 2 yuan. Some buses are unmanned, so please bring your own change.
Buses running along the coast include routes 26, 202, 223, 304, 316, and 321, passing numerous scenic spots such as the Zhanqiao (Pier Bridge) and Badaguan Pass. Starting at the ferry or train station, route 26, in particular, reaches most of Qingdao's attractions, including Zhongshan Park, the Naval Museum, Qingdao Underwater World, Kang Youwei's Former Residence, Huashilou, Zhanshan Temple, and the Guest House. To reach Laoshan (Taiqing Scenic Area), take route 304, which runs from the ferry, the train station (Zhanqiao), and all the way to Laoshan. The route runs along the coast, offering stunning sea views.
An undersea tunnel bus has been opened from Qingdao to the development zone and Jiaonan tourist attractions, directly connecting to Huangdao and Xuejiadao. For only 2 yuan, you can quickly and conveniently reach some tourist attractions around Qingdao, such as the Golden Beach and Silver Beach in the development zone, Jiaonan Lingzhushan Forest Park and other attractions.
Qingdao is rich in sea cucumbers, scallops, abalone, conch, swimming crab, Spanish mackerel, yellow croaker, mantis shrimp (peeing shrimp), large prawns, and garfish, so seafood is a must-try when visiting Qingdao. Traditional Qingdao banquets have certain rules, with common ones like the "416" and "428" styles. Dishes are served in the order of cold first, hot second, and salty first, sweet second. Every banquet must include fish; a banquet without sea cucumber is not considered a grand feast. Seafood is seasonal, with spring and summer being the best seasons, so visiting Qingdao in spring is a great idea!
❀Qingdao seafood can't stop
Taking advantage of the off-season, April is the perfect time to enjoy flowers in Qingdao. Come to Qingdao in April and see all the flowers in bloom. Facing the sea, spring is in full bloom. From Laoshan to Badaguan, from Mianhua Village to Dazhushan, cherry blossoms, peach blossoms, azaleas, redbuds, and winter jasmine... are in full bloom in this city of mountains and seas. It's the perfect time to enjoy spring.
