5-Day In-Depth Tour of Qingdao: Explore the Old Town, Trek Mountains and Sea, Enjoy Beer, and Unlock the Seaside Slow Life

Qingdao is a charming coastal city. Here is a 5-day travel guide:

Itinerary[__LINK_ICON]

- Day 1: Old Town Style Tour

- Morning: Arrive in Qingdao and check into a hotel near Zhanqiao Pier or May Fourth Square in Shinan District.

- Noon: Taste local specialties around the hotel such as grilled squid from Wang Sister BBQ and cuttlefish dumplings from Chuange Fish Dumplings.

- Afternoon: Visit Zhanqiao Pier, stroll to Huilan Pavilion, and watch seagulls; then head to the Catholic Church to admire the Gothic architecture exterior.

- Evening: Walk along Zhongshan Road shopping street, take photos at Anna Villa’s rose wall, and enjoy Shandong cuisine like crispy chicken at Chunhelou paired with Qingdao beer.

- Day 2: Laoshan Mountain Exploration

- All day: Visit Laoshan Scenic Area (South Line), tour Taiqing Palace, listen to Taoist sermons, and taste Laoshan green tea; then go to Yangkou Scenic Area, hike to the summit or take the cable car to overlook the mountain and sea views.

- Day 3: Seaside Leisure Time

- Morning: Rent a bike at Badaguan Scenic Area, visit European-style buildings like Huashi Building and Princess Building, then go to the Second Bathing Beach to wade in the waves and take photos.

- Noon: Enjoy seafood near the beach such as spicy stir-fried clams and scallops with chili oil.

- Afternoon: Head to May Fourth Square to see the "Wind of May" sculpture and enjoy the evening light show; then visit the Olympic Sailing Center to experience sailing or stroll along Lover’s Wharf.

- Day 4: Beer Culture and Arts Tour

- Morning: Visit the Qingdao Beer Museum to learn about beer brewing, taste original draft beer and beer beans; then climb Signal Hill Park for panoramic views of Qingdao’s old town with red roofs and green trees.

- Noon: Try mackerel dumplings at Kaihai Hongdao Seafood near the museum.

- Afternoon: Take photos at the popular wall on University Road, then walk and picnic at Xiaomai Island Park while enjoying island scenery.

- Evening: Explore Taidong Pedestrian Street and sample snacks like Shisan Bukao crispy balls and Huaitai tofu.

- Day 5: Pre-Departure Celebration

- Morning: If time allows, visit Huangdao Golden Beach to enjoy fine sand and clear water, or visit Qingdao Underwater World.

- Noon: Dine at seafood stalls near Golden Beach with dishes like steamed grouper and garlic vermicelli scallops.

- Afternoon: Pack up and depart.

Accommodation Recommendations[__LINK_ICON]

- Luxury: The St. Regis Qingdao, located at 48 Hong Kong West Road, Haitan Center Tower T2, offers cloud-level coastal views; Qingdao Banyan Tree Hotel, at 277 Jiulongshan Road, provides stunning sea and sky scenery.

- Family-Friendly: Qingdao Seaview Garden Hotel, at 2 Zhanghua Road, has family rooms with direct sea views; Qingdao Wyndham Hotel, at 220 Heilongjiang Middle Road, features small animals, ideal for children.

- Scenic Views: Qingdao Haitan Hotel, at 3 Donghai West Road, offers an unobstructed sea view from 369 meters high; Qingdao Diaoyutai Hotel, at 195 Hong Kong East Road T1 Building, combines traditional Chinese elegance with beautiful scenery.

Transportation Guide[__LINK_ICON]

- Arrival: You can take high-speed or regular trains to Qingdao Railway Station, or fly into Qingdao Liuting International Airport.

- City Transport: Buses and subways cover most attractions. Download the "Qingdao Metro" app or use the Alipay "Qindao Tong" e-card; taxis and Didi rides are also convenient.