Perched on the southern tip of Shandong peninsula, Qingdao offers one of the most diverse and surprising experiences in China. This city on the Yellow Sea somehow manages to blend tourism with its role as the largest shipping port in northern China. The mesh of sea and mountains provide a somewhat surreal backdrop to the Bavarian architecture which gives Qingdao its special character. The end result is the stunning temple-specked Laoshan Mountains, beaches, the largest brewery in Asia and a completely German-flavoured village right in the heart of the city. There’s plenty to see and do in Qingdao, the hard part is deciding where to begin.

Badaguan Scenic Area
No single area better exemplifies the unique German influence on this city than the Badaguan Scenic Area. With nearly 200 different architectural styles, it’s easy to see why this old town district has earned the nickname of ‘Architecture Museum’. Tiny lanes lined with old fruit and cypress trees crisscross the neighbourhood, adding to the amazing atmosphere. If you want to see why so many visitors come to Qingdao, an afternoon spent wandering around Badaguan will explain it all. The only thing missing from this picture are men dressed in lederhosen.

Huashi Lou
One of the essential Bavarian landmarks in Qingdao is this turreted medieval castle built in 1903 as the villa of a wealthy Russian aristocrat. After the Germans took over, it was commandeered by the resident Bavarian governor as his personal fishing retreat and later used by Chiang Kai-shek to secretly plan the KMT’s next move against the government. The views from the top of the round towers offer a spectacular view of the neighbouring Badaguan district.

Jidu Jiaotang (Protestant Church)
This attractive building designed by the Germans in 1908 is one of the finest examples of the brief, but significant, Western occupation of this corner of China. It only survived the destruction of the Cultural Revolution because nobody considered it a church. This is fortunate for visitors today, because its red tile roof and lovely green bell tower are features which set this Western-style castle apart and make it well worth a visit.

Qingdao Welcome Guest House
Another of the city’s amazing examples of Western architecture set amidst its native Chinese backdrop, this Tudor-style fortress was built in 1905 as the residence of a former German governor. Its fairy tale appearance alone makes it worth a visit, but it has some interesting history as well. Mao Zedong spent a month here in 1957 when the building was in its hotel phase. Today, it is a museum where most of the original furnishings, stained glass and fixtures are in perfect condition, offering a rare glimpse at the German-occupied Qingdao of one hundred years ago.

Zhan Bridge
One of Qingdao’s most famous landmarks is this amazing old bridge just a few steps from the Railway Station. First built in 1891 as a pier, the 440-metre long trestle boasts enormous granite supports and stylish lotus lamps which illuminate the span. At the end is a typical eight-sided Chinese pavilion sticking out into Qingdao Bay. This picturesque icon of the city is a must-see for every visitor.

Explore Little Qingdao Island which sits just off the end of the Zhan Bridge. By standing at the Huilan Pavilion at the end of Zhan Bridge, you can get an excellent view of the island and its beautiful old lighthouse built by the Germans in 1900. A thin sliver of land connects the island to the coast making access easy and convenient. Cherry and peach trees give the place a park-like environment, especially in the spring, when all the trees burst into colourful bloom.

Enjoy the view from Signal Hill Park. Originally the site of a German navigation signal, the top of this hill has a viewing platform which offers panoramic views of the city, sea and mountains. It is relatively easy to get to the peak, with public buses running regularly from all points in Qingdao.

Tour the mountains and visit Taiqing Palace. No visit to Qingdao would be complete without a trek into the surreal and historical Laoshan Mountains. As the birthplace of Taoism, these hills have had a special spiritual role for many Chinese over the past 1,500 years. Some 72 temples have been built during this long period and Taiqing Palace is the largest and most impressive. Despite having been built over 1,000 years ago, the structure is in surprisingly good condition. The three massive halls and 140 rooms of the interior are fascinating to explore, but one of the real treats are the religious inscriptions carved on a rock wall next to a crystal clear spring by Kublai Khan.

Try some Tsingtao Beer
One of the greatest products of the German occupation at the turn of the 20th century was their introduction of good beer to Chinese culture. As a result, nearly 100 years later, Tsingtao Beer remains the country’s most popular brew. The original beer factory has been converted into a museum where visitors can learn more about the history of the beer, check out print and film ads from the 1930s and see the actual bottling line. The tour finishes up in the Tsingtao Bar, where you’ll be treated to a pitcher of draft beer and a souvenir. English signs and tour guides ensure that you’ll get the gist of everything going on.