"Not inferior to Xiamen, its comfort rivals Chengdu! The most Prague-like seaside old town in China, definitely a must-visit in May."
If you're an island lover, this place must have been on your travel list.
If you're thinking about a city worth visiting in May, you probably wouldn't think of this place.
But seasoned travelers have quietly headed to this northern seaside old town.
Sea, beach, seafood, beer...
This place seems to be born for summer, yet in April and May each year, it’s when the Engel’s coefficient and happiness index are at their highest.
Kang Youwei once praised it:
"Green mountains, lush trees, blue seas, clear skies, neither too hot nor too cold, a place where one can travel by boat or car, the first in China."
Wen Yiduo, Liang Shiqiu, Lao She, and others have lived here.
Seasoned travelers have quietly headed to this northern seaside old town.
This place is:
Qingdao.
Qingdao, located on the Shandong Peninsula,
North is the Daze Mountain Range, south is the Yellow Sea.
It is one of the first coastal open cities in China, with a coastline of 817 km.
Compared to southern cities, Qingdao enjoys a long spring,
From March to June, you can enjoy a pleasant spring.
The most European-like city in China.
"Red tiles, green trees, blue seas, and clear skies,"
Without leaving the country, you can still experience rich foreign charm.
Starting from April each year,
Qingdao’s romance has a lot to do with the sea.
The red houses on the hillside, layer by layer, are the true “face to the sea, spring blooms.”
In May, go to Qingdao to enjoy island life!
This charming seaside old town is also the only city in China that is included in the “World’s Most Beautiful Bays” list,
China’s Best Leisure City,
China's Top 10 Best Tourist Cities,
The Most Happiest City in China,
....
It’s the world’s Beer City,
It’s the World’s Sailing Capital,
It’s the “Little Switzerland” of the East,
It’s the "Pearl of the Yellow Sea"...
Here, you can step out and see the sea,
Fall asleep with the sound of the waves.
In many people's minds,
Summer is the best time to visit Qingdao,
But actually, May is the most worthwhile time to go.
(Before the May Day Fish Season is the best time to go)
At this time, the seagulls that fly from Siberia add to the charm of the seaside city.
At this time, not only are there fewer people and more beautiful scenery,
But flights are cheaper,
With a few friends,
Order some oysters, clams, cockles, and fresh shrimp…
Sip some refreshing draft beer, it’s truly beautiful.
Here,
You can walk along a small path to the sea,
And wait for a sunset by the shore.
Here,
You can also step into exotic buildings,
And taste the flavor of foreign charm.
In Qingdao, slow down and experience it.
Along a street where one side is distant mountains and the other side is the vast sea,
You’ll be surrounded by flowers, embracing the sea.
Zhongshan Park▼
A 600-meter-long cherry blossom avenue.
Haian Road▼
One side is distant mountains, the other side is the sea,
Flowers along the way, and at the end, the sea welcomes you.
Sanming South Road▼
Both sides of the road are lined with cherry blossoms,
People weave through them, creating a romantic atmosphere.
Bada Guan▼
Main buildings, Butterfly House, Flower Stone House...
This is the place.
Xiling Gorge Road▼
Known as Qingdao’s “Little Kamakura,”
Every intersection has a path leading to the sea.
Yushan Road▼
This road is where the most famous cultural figures of Qingdao have resided.
In Qingdao, stroll through the iconic foreign buildings.
St. Michael's Church▼
Built on a small hill,
Red tiles and yellow walls, Gothic architecture, and a green clock tower.
A must-visit landmark in Qingdao.
Christian Church▼
A typical German castle-style building,
With retro patterns carved on the yellow walls.
St. Paul's Church▼
Its exterior walls are made of raw red bricks, with a square bell tower,
Resembling a red fairy-tale castle.
German Governor's Residence▼
Red tiles leap among layers of green,
Adding a touch of vitality.
In Qingdao, satisfy your cravings for the sea.
Zhanqiao Pier▼
You can visit the pier extending into the sea,
Feed the seagulls, watch the waves,
It’s incredibly relaxing.
Shilaoren Beach▼
Qingdao’s largest seawater bathing beach,
Sit and wait for a sunset.
Little Qingdao▼
Looks like an ancient guqin,
It’s the best place to view the entire Qingdao Bay scenery.
Xiaomai Island▼
Known as "Qingdao’s Little Kenting,"
One side faces the waves crashing on the rocks, while the other side offers grasslands and flower fields.
Yan'er Island▼
Known as "Qingdao's Jeju Island,"
The sea and sky merge into one, with white sails on the horizon,
It feels like you’re in Jeju Island.
Signal Hill▼
The hill is covered in greenery, dotted with red roofs.
It’s like a foreign city in the “City of Red Tiles.”
Laoshan▼
There are many original fishing villages,
Take the cable car up Laoshan and see Qingdao,
The red tiles and green trees are especially beautiful.
Beer and the sea, they own the entire summer!
Drinking beer, eating mackerel, digging clams,
That’s the life of a Qingdao resident,
And also the secret to their happiness.
Qingdao, which occupies a quarter of Shandong’s coastline,
Has an incredible variety of seafood,
You’ve heard of the familiar and unfamiliar names, they’re all here.
Every April and May, there’s a seafood frenzy,
Big shrimp, yellow croaker, mackerel, monkfish,
Clams, scallops, oysters, swimming crabs,
Cockles, sea oysters, tongue fish...
They fill the seafood markets.
There are many ways to cook them,
Spicy stir-fried clams, abalone in its shell, oil-braised shrimp,
Minced meat braised with sea cucumber, fried oyster yellow,
Liu Ting’s pig’s feet, seafood noodle soup, Qingdao baozi, potstickers,
Mackerel dumplings, smoked mackerel,
Sweet dried mackerel stew with tofu, mackerel with pancakes...
It’s a paradise for seafood lovers.
In Qingdao, there’s nothing a bucket of draft beer can’t solve.
Then bring a bag of Qingdao loose beer,
Qingdao beer is the cultural symbol of this city.
Qingdao’s food heals all ailments,
Qingdao beer relieves all worries.
You have to go to Qingdao,
Let’s eat and drink together!