Qingdao Travel Red and Black List! Local Insider Tips Are Here

(Including a guide to avoid pitfalls + step-by-step routes, a must-read for first-timers!)

🔥【Must-See Reminder】Do these 3 things in advance!

▪ Qingdao Beer Museum/Underwater World require booking one day ahead, don’t miss out on weekends!
▪ June to August is peak tourist season, but the seaside is often foggy; check the weather if you want to see the sunrise
▪ Metro Line 3 goes directly to most attractions, don’t believe taxi drivers’ lies about “charter rides being cheaper”

📸【Classic Route Cheat Sheet】Explore Qingdao in 3 days!

✅ Coastal Highlights Route (a must for photo lovers):
▪ Xiaomai Island Park: Japanese-style lawns + seaside boardwalk, wear a white dress for a “Little Kenting” vibe
▪ Yaner Island Hill: watch the sunset in the evening, the popular cave photo spot is on the east side rock area
▪ Lover’s Dam: lighthouse + sailboat harbor, super romantic lighting at night

✅ Old Town Artsy Route (a must for culture fans):
▪ University Road: red walls and yellow tiles + cafes, be prepared to queue for corner photos (best in the morning)
▪ Signal Hill: climb to overlook “red tiles and green trees,” 10 RMB ticket is great value
▪ Huangxian Road: a lesser-known artsy alley, more photogenic than Zhongshan Road

🍤【Food Red and Black List】Local secret favorites!

🔴 Must-try classics:
▪ Sea Cucumber Rice: go to “Chuange Fish Dumplings,” crispy and tender sea cucumber + egg mixed rice is amazing
▪ Spicy Stir-fried Clams: pick any big food stall, paired with a bag of Qingdao beer for the full flavor
▪ Liuting Pig Trotters: vacuum-packed to take away, packed with collagen

🟠 Recommended restaurants on the red list:
▪ Juyuan Courtyard (Zhanqiao Branch): Jiangnan garden-style decor, fresh seafood from open kitchen, recommended scallion-braised sea cucumber + mackerel fish dumplings
▪ Shuangheyuan: old dumpling shop, yellow croaker dumplings so fresh they’ll blow your mind

⚫ Pitfall warnings:
▫ Pichaiyuan/Taidong Night Market: crowded with tourists, low cost-performance for snacks
▫ Seafood stalls that aggressively solicit customers: always ask for the price list first! Avoid the “sky-high shrimp” trap

🏨【Accommodation Guide】3 key areas to avoid pitfalls!

▪ Near Zhanqiao: old town center, convenient for Badaguan/Zhongshan Road, recommended old-style guesthouses
▪ May Fourth Square: new city landmark, beautiful night views, great for shopping lovers
▪ Shilaoren Seaside Bathing Beach: a bit far from downtown but quiet and less crowded, top choice for sunrise viewing

⚠️【Pitfall Avoidance Guide】Don’t fall for these traps!

1. Seaside shell vendors: prices are inflated, start bargaining from 10% of the asking price

2. Low-cost Laoshan day tours: they take you to shopping stores, better to take Metro Line 4 directly yourself

3. Beer Street food stalls: bottled beer is three times more expensive than bagged beer, locals all drink bagged beer!

4. Catholic Church photo spot: the lady selling pigeon feed at the entrance charges 10 RMB per pack, a big rip-off, don’t buy!

💬 Final thoughts:
Qingdao’s romance is hidden in the seaside breeze and in the lively atmosphere of the old town~
Remember to bring a pair of comfortable shoes, walking the seaside boardwalk really tires your feet!
(Save this guide to avoid 90% of travel pitfalls!)