Qingdao 3 Days 2 Nights Travel Guide

I am a travel blogger, and today I have customized a cost-effective, comfortably paced, and highly photogenic Qingdao 3 days 2 nights travel guide for you, with a strict budget under 2000 RMB. I will take you to check in at red tiles and green trees, blue sea and sky, drink original draft beer, eat spicy stir-fried clams, stroll through Badaguan, climb Signal Hill, visit Taidong Night Market, and experience the romance and lively atmosphere of the "Oriental Switzerland"!

Recommended travel time: May to October (best in summer, with refreshing sea breeze, suitable for swimming)

Suitable cities: Beijing, Jinan, Zhengzhou, Nanjing, etc., with direct high-speed rail access, convenient transportation!

Total budget allocation (per person): 2000 RMB

Transportation: 600 RMB (round-trip major transport + local transport)

Accommodation: 600 RMB (2 nights × 300 RMB)

Meals: 400 RMB (6 meals × 70 RMB)

Tickets + experiences: 300 RMB

Pocket money + souvenirs: 100 RMB

You can still enjoy the quality of the "Mountain and Sea City" on a tight budget!

Day 1: Arrive in Qingdao × Zhanqiao Pier Sea View × Old Town Stroll × Taidong Night Market Carnival

Morning: Arrive in Qingdao

It is recommended to choose an early high-speed train (e.g., Jinan → Qingdao Station, about 2.5 hours, second class seat 144 RMB)

After arriving at Qingdao Station, it’s a 5-minute walk to Zhanqiao Pier, super convenient!

Luggage storage: lockers at the station or scenic spots (5-10 RMB/item)

Recommended accommodation:

Stay in Shinan District Old Town or near Zhongshan Road, within walking distance to attractions

Guesthouses/chain hotels: such as Atour, Ji Hotel, or German-style villas, average 300 RMB/night

Afternoon: Zhanqiao Pier × St. Michael’s Cathedral × Signal Hill Park

Zhanqiao Pier: free! Watch seagulls circle, take photos at Huilan Pavilion with a cinematic vibe

St. Michael’s Cathedral: Gothic architecture, ticket 10 RMB, climb the tower to overlook red tiles and green trees

Signal Hill Park: ticket 10 RMB, 15-minute climb to the top, 360° panoramic view of "red tiles, green trees, blue sea, and sky"

Photo tips:

Wear a light-colored long dress to shoot "European small town style" in front of the cathedral

The rotating viewing platform at the top of Signal Hill is a top photo spot!

Evening: Taidong Pedestrian Street Night Market (full of lively atmosphere)

Qingdao’s busiest night market, full of snacks:

Grilled squid (15 RMB)

Laoshan mushroom stewed chicken (25 RMB)

Seafood pancake (12 RMB)

Traditional yogurt (5 RMB)

Original draft beer (10 RMB/cup) — a must-try!

Per person: 70 RMB

Day 1 estimated expenses:

Transportation: 144 (high-speed train) + 10 (subway/walking) = 154 RMB

Accommodation: 300 RMB

Meals: 70 RMB

Tickets: 10 + 10 = 20 RMB

Total: 544 RMB

Day 2: Badaguan Stroll × Second Beach × Qingdao Beer Museum × Dengzhou Road Late-night Snacks

Morning: Badaguan Scenic Area (World Architecture Expo)

Free admission, over 20 German, Russian, and American-style villas hidden among tree-lined paths

Must-walk route: Juyongguan Road → Linhuaiguan Road → Junanguan Road

Shady trees, perfect for beautiful photos

Photo spots: Huashilou (ticket 8.5 RMB), Princess Building (ticket 20 RMB, optional)

Noon: Second Beach

Less crowded and beautiful scenery, fine sand beach, barefoot water stepping, great for sea view photos

Nearby cafes to watch the tide rise and fall

Lunch: Seafood restaurants near Badaguan

Recommended: "Fisherman’s Courtyard" or "Seafood House"

Must order: Spicy stir-fried clams, steamed swimming crab, mackerel dumplings

Per person: 80 RMB

Afternoon: Qingdao Beer Museum (a must-visit!)

Ticket: 60 RMB (includes guided tour + original draft + souvenir cup)

Address: No. 56 Dengzhou Road, Shibei District, former Qingdao Brewery No. 1 Factory

Highlights:

Learn about the century-old beer history

Free unlimited tasting of two original drafts + pure draft

Takeaway beer with souvenir cup (20 RMB/cup)

Evening: Dengzhou Road Beer Street or small tavern party

Recommended: "Old Xie Wild Wontons" (top Qingdao late-night snack) or "Kaihai"

Order a pitcher of original draft beer, paired with spicy stir-fried sea snails, grilled sea intestines, peanuts and edamame

Per person: 90 RMB (including drinks)

Day 2 estimated expenses:

Transportation: 10 RMB (bus + taxi)

Tickets: 8.5 + 60 = 68.5 RMB

Meals: 80 + 90 = 170 RMB

Accommodation: 300 RMB

Total: 548.5 RMB

Day 3: Xiaoyushan Park × University Road Instagram Walls × Return Trip

Morning: Xiaoyushan Park (free! A hidden gem)

Ticket: free, 10-minute climb to the top

Three major viewing pavilions: Spring, Summer, Autumn, offering 360° panoramic views of the old town

Less crowded than Signal Hill, more focused views, quieter for photos

Noon: University Road × Yushan Road Art Tour

University Road Instagram walls: red walls and yellow tiles, cafes everywhere, a must-visit photo spot

Recommended cafes: "Manner," "Milk," "COTTON"

Yushan Road: old villa clusters + cherry blossom path, full of artistic atmosphere

Lunch: Creative restaurants on University Road

Recommended: "Erma Tavern" or "Old Place Restaurant"

Must order: Qingdao cold noodles, spicy octopus, beer-braised meat

Per person: 70 RMB

Afternoon: Buy souvenirs + return trip

Recommended souvenirs:

Qingdao Beer Original Draft Gift Box (6 cans) → 80 RMB (optional)

Seafood sauce/shrimp skin → 50 RMB

Available at Taidong or train station

Return high-speed train:

Recommended departure before 1:00 PM

Qingdao → Jinan: 144 RMB | other cities priced accordingly

Day 3 estimated expenses:

Transportation: 10 (bus) + 144 (high-speed train) = 154 RMB

Meals: 70 RMB

Tickets: 0

Souvenirs: 50 RMB (optional)

Total: 274 RMB (224 RMB without souvenirs)

Total expense summary (excluding souvenirs):

Round-trip transportation: 154 + 154 = 308 RMB

Accommodation: (2 nights) 600 RMB

Meals: 70 + 170 + 70 = 310 RMB

Tickets: 20 + 68.5 = 88.5 RMB

Local transportation: 10 + 10 + 10 = 30 RMB

Other pocket money: reserved 200 RMB

Total: 1836.5 RMB

Perfectly controlled within 2000 RMB! You can even save 163.5 RMB to buy a bottle of original draft beer for the road!

Tips (Qingdao Pitfall Guide):

1. Don’t buy beer in scenic spots: supermarket original draft 10 RMB/cup, scenic spots double the price!

2. Avoid seafood overcharging: ask prices before ordering, charged by "portion" not "piece"

3. Wear comfortable shoes: Qingdao has many slopes, expect 20,000 steps a day

4. Sunscreen + jacket: strong UV by the sea, windy and cool in the evening

5. Avoid holidays: May Day and National Day are crowded, weekdays are recommended

This Qingdao 3 days 2 nights trip covers mountains, sea, old town, beer, and art. It has the poetry of "red tiles and green trees" and the boldness of "original draft with barbecue." Worth the money, delicious, and photogenic!

If you also love city travel with stories, flavors, and emotions, save this guide and set off next summer!

I am Lele, taking you into China’s most beautiful coastal painting.

Where to next? Leave a comment and I will customize an exclusive route for you!