Banks: 08:00 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 18:00, Monday to Saturday
Post Offices: 08:00 to 18:00, Monday to Saturday
Department Stores and Shops: 09:00 to 18:00 daily, some stay open later
Museums: 09:00 to 16:00, Tuesday to Sunday
Business Offices: 09:00 to 18:00, daily

In general, visitors won’t need to worry about much when travelling to Qingdao. The penalties for violent crimes against foreigners are so harsh that instances of this type of crime are rare. Sexual harassment against foreign women is also uncommon. Theft is the one safety issue to keep in mind when visiting Qingdao. The subtle nature of pickpocketting has made it an attractive crime to those who want to avoid being caught by the police, so it’s better to leave any flashy valuables in your hotel and keep your money and passport in a money belt or sealed pocket. Also keep in mind that the traffic in Qingdao, as in the rest of China, is erratic and dangerous, so always use extreme caution when crossing streets.

Electricity: 220V, 50Hz

No specific vaccinations are needed to enter China. However, be sure you are caught up on all your essential inoculations such as hepatitis and tetanus. The most common health problem travellers face in Qingdao is a stomach bug from contaminated food or water. As long as your food has been thoroughly cooked, and the ice is from purified water, you shouldn’t have any trouble. Always use bottled water for drinking, as the tap water in Qingdao is unreliable. 

If anything happens during your visit, the medical facilities in Qingdao are adequate to handle most ailments. Many of the staff and doctors at the hospitals can speak a little English, but visitors should ensure that they are covered by their own medical policy in China. If not, it’s highly advised to get some travel insurance before you depart to cover any unexpected hospital visits. The cost of travel insurance is small compared to a hospital bill from a foreign country. 

Ambulance: 120 
Qingdao People’s Hospital: +0532 285 2108

China’s national language is Mandarin and just about everyone in the country can speak it, however, every region of China has its own dialect.

The Chinese currency is called the renminbi (RMB), and there are bills in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 yuan. Yuan are commonly referred to as kwai.

Money in China is more controlled than in most countries, so there are a couple of things to consider. The Bank of China always offers the best exchange rates, but you will also discover that many hotels, restaurants, shops and transportation services will happily exchange your money into yuan. Using a business other than the bank is certainly more convenient, but you’ll have to accept a lower rate. The bank exchange counters are scattered around the city and are open Monday to Friday from 08:00 until noon, and from 15:00 to 18:00. There are a few ATMs in Qingdao, but don’t rely exclusively on getting your money out of these machines. Traveller’s cheques seem to be readily accepted in Qingdao, and are replaceable if they get lost.

Visitors arriving from outside China must fill out a baggage declaration form at the airport listing all of the valuables being brought into the country. Upon departure, your baggage may be checked against this list, so keep all your receipts. Customs officials can seize any audio, video or written material if they deem it inappropriate, so consider carefully what you bring with you. Visitors may import 400 cigarettes, two litres of alcohol and a reasonable amount of perfume.

China will likely be a culture shock to first-time visitors. Typically, misunderstandings are the most common problem since the Chinese don’t always volunteer their help or information. Crowds are another point of concern for many travellers. Getting on transport or even to the check-out counter in a shop can involve seemingly rude pushing and shoving. Some mild pushing back will prove that you have begun to assimilate yourself into Chinese culture. The Chinese government has recently begun implementing a programme to educate its citizens in the differences between cultures in the run-up to the 2008 Olympics. Spitting, pushing and overt staring are being discouraged. Most Chinese prefer to be polite rather than familiar, so you can expect a degree of indifference from most people. Handshakes are increasingly used for greetings, but don’t be surprised if they applause when you enter a room. The customary response is to clap in return.

As in most Asian cultures, anger is expected to be kept concealed in order to save face. Never argue or fight in public, as this will quickly attract the wrong kind of attention. Family names are usually spoken before given names, and if you visit someone’s home bring a treat, preferably from your own country. In Qingdao, the locals don’t appreciate revealing clothes except at the beach. In conversation, avoid political or religious discussions, and keep in mind that photography is very limited in China. Don’t even try to take a shot of the airport or anything military or politically sensitive.

When you dine at a restaurant with other Chinese, wait until someone tells you where to sit before grabbing a chair. Don’t start to eat until some kind of indication has been given, and if you valiantly attempt to use chopsticks, never leave them sticking out of your bowl as this symbolises death. It is very common to give toasts during a meal, so have a few prepared ahead of time.

Visas are required for visitors from every country in the world. A tourist visa is typically valid for 3 months from the date of issue, and can be extended for another month in Qingdao at the Public Security Bureau Division for Aliens office. All visas must be applied for in person at least one month before departure. They usually take four working days to complete and there are rarely problems or denials. Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond the date of the visa issue.

Qingdao has very good tourist information offices located around the city which offer information, suggestions and brochures on local attractions, lodging and the like. The main office can be found just to the left of the exit of the central train station. Call +86 532 8296 2000 for more detils.