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.

Unlike many of China’s cities, Qingdao actually has a fair amount of things which children will find interesting and fun. The city has a nice balance of natural attractions and amusement centres where your kids can run wild. Between the mountains, the beaches and the fun parks, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

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.

Qingdao Liuting International Airport is the main air hub for international and domestic flights into Qingdao. Located 23kms from the city centre, it services more than 30 Chinese cities and a handful of foreign destinations. There are currently 96 airlines which fly in and out of the airport, offering easy access from nearly every corner of the globe.