Qingdao’s fortuitous location at the southern tip of the Shandong peninsula has always suggested that this seaside city would play an important role in China’s heritage. As far back as 600 BC, Qingdao began attracting visitors after the famed Chinese scholar Lao-Tzu created the religion of Taoism in the neighbouring Laoshan Mountains. From this moment, the area instantly became a major centre of spiritual mystique as thousands of people flocked to the hills in search of enlightenment. The small fishing town of Qingdao, 20 miles away, continued to slowly but steadily evolve into one of China’s main shipping and industrial cities, a role which it still holds today.

In perfect complement to the steep forested slopes of the Laoshan Mountains is the city’s coastal beauty along the Yellow Sea. Qingdao already had plenty of tourism potential before the arrival of the Germans, who in 1897 moved in and claimed the city as a concession area. Old Chinese buildings were replaced with perfect replicas of Bavarian architecture, instantly transforming the town into a German village that could have been anywhere in the Black Forest. You would think that the Chinese would have erased all traces of this intrusion as soon as the Germans were evicted, yet despite initial loathing from the locals, this unique architectural aspect eventually turned into the backbone of Qingdao’s thriving tourism industry. The striking contrast between the traditional Chinese town and full-blown Bavarian buildings makes this city one of the most surreal environments in China.

With such a long legacy as a tourist destination, Qingdao has developed the necessary infrastructure to make a visit comfortable and enjoyable. There are plenty of accommodations in all budget ranges and a plethora of dining opportunities. Shandong cuisine, while relatively unknown, is one of the most delicious in the country and the abundance of fresh seafood means there is always plenty of good food on the menu. China’s largest brewery, Tsingtao, is based here as well, ensuring the best beer in the country is available everywhere you turn. From the temple-studded Laoshan Mountains to the Bavarian-flavoured Badaguan Old Town in the heart of the city, Qingdao offers top-notch attractions of every kind. A healthy festival schedule keeps things lively throughout the year, especially in the springtime when the cherry, peach and other fruit trees burst into fragrant bloom.

Qingdao’s timeline stretches back nearly 6,000 years, but the first permanent village appeared during the East Zhou Dynasty between 770-256 BC. It was around this period that Qingdao first gained notoriety when the scholar and philosopher Lao-Tzu created the Taoism religion in the surrounding Laoshan Mountains. This singularly important moment tagged the town as a mystical region, attracting thousands of Buddhists, writers and scholars over the proceeding 2,400 years. Throughout the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties the Laoshan Mountains and Qingdao evolved into one of the most popular and sacred destinations in all of China, a mystique which continues today.

In addition to its religious significance, Qingdao also emerged during the Tang Dynasty of 681-907 as one of the most important commercial cities in China thanks to its strategic seaside location on the Shandong peninsula. Over the next 1,000 years, Qingdao built upon this reputation as a national and international shipping centre. When China was defeated by British forces during the Opium War of 1840-1842, much of the nation’s coast was opened to colonisation by Europe. In 1897, German soldiers took over Qingdao and created the now-famous German ‘concession area’ akin to Hong Kong. This event shaped the modern face of the city, turning Qingdao into a Bavarian-looking village through its architecture and cultural details. The Germans were also responsible for introducing the famous Qingdao Beer Brewery which still produces China’s most popular beer Tsingtao.

During the distractions of WWI, Japan invaded the city in 1914, sparking a 30-year struggle for control of Qingdao between Japan, Germany and China. After its defeat in WWII, Japan surrendered the city back to the Chinese. But it wasn’t until 1984, when the government declared it one of the 14 coastal cities which would be opened to foreign investment, that Qingdao began its current rise to prominence. Along with industry, tourism also began to receive attention, as the historical Laoshan Mountains returned to the limelight.

Thanks to its coastal location at the tip of the Shandong peninsula, Qingdao enjoys a moderate monsoon climate with four distinct seasons. The weather in this corner of China is known for its lack of extremes, which means whatever time of year you visit you won’t have to deal with temperatures which are blazingly hot or bitterly cold. The finest weather can generally be found between early April and November, when both sea and air temperatures warm up to their highest levels. But even at the height of summer, in July and August, the average daytime temperatures are a comfortable 25°C. Best of all, this is when the sea water is at its most balmy, making for ideal swimming conditions. Although the air tends to get a bit humid during the summer months, it rarely feels stifling since a cooling breeze often blows in from the ocean.

Winter brings rather cold weather, with temperatures barely breaking the freezing mark from December to February. The autumn and winter seasons also bring frequent windy conditions, adding to the chill in the air. However, this is the low season and if you want to experience Qingdao and the Laoshan Mountains at their quietest, then this is the time to visit. Otherwise, consider coming in the early spring months of March and April, when tourist numbers are still low but the fruit trees are in full bloom and many spring festivals take place to celebrate the end of the cold winter.