Known to be a tourist highlight of the province, Qingdao is famous for its beer and takes on the name of ‘beer city’. True to this title it hosts the Tsingtao Beer and International Beer Festival, which is another one of its attractions. Top brewers such as Budweiser, Carlsberg and local beer giants Tsingdao and Beijing beer are invited. With the festival come eye catching fireworks and a parade consisting of military bands and ethnic troops.
Throughout the years Qingdao was affected by the influence of German, and Japan, leaving the city dotted with German villas and mansions. Next to it is the Granite Mansion; a popular tourist attraction which is a beach castle that is situated among lush gardens once used as a hunting and fishing villa of the German governor.
Home to many beautiful gardens including ones with names such as ‘sea wind’, ‘the joyous sea’, ‘sea billows’ and ‘the sea rhythm’, most of which are located on mounds or hills that gently slope into the sea, Qingdao is known as ‘Green Island’. A picturesque setting, the Garden of the Sea Rhythm with its variety of flowers greets you with soft petals in varied shades, all swaying to the rhythm of the gentle sea breeze.
Qingdao also consists of sandy beaches as well as hosts one of China’s important Daoist Mountains called Laoshan sprinkled with Daoist temples. For the adventurous climbing these mountains are a possibility as it caters to both amateurs and experienced climbers. There are groups such as the Qingdao adventures that offer hiking and climbing tours.
To savour the attractions offered by the city one needs a rejuvenating and relaxing home base to work from. One need not look far as set in the heart of the city is Copthorne Hotel Qingdao located near the City Hall. This hotel in Qingdao is 22 miles away from the airport and provides a complimentary scheduled shuttle service. This Qingdao hotel is ideal as there are shopping malls and commercial centres just minutes away, making your stay enjoyable and easy. It lets you truly explore this enchanting Chinese city and soak us the many sights and sounds it has to offer.