Just returned from a 3-day trip to Qingdao. I really don’t recommend going there in February! Came to a city because of a song
"Red tiles, green trees, blue sea and blue sky, Qingdao, my hometown..." Whenever this melodious song "Qingdao" sounds in my ears, the beautiful coastal scenery and unique European style are like a picture scroll slowly unfolding before my eyes, making people eager to rush to Qingdao to explore the charm of this city😃. Although it is still chilly in February, Qingdao still has unique scenery. Follow this guide to start your journey.
🚩Day 1: Seaside style, first encounter with romance
▫️Morning: Pier (free)
Facing the slightly chilly sea breeze, we stepped onto the pier. This promenade extending into the sea is a landmark building in Qingdao. In February, there are far fewer tourists on the pier than in the peak season. You can take a leisurely stroll and admire the sparkling water around you and the beautiful scenery of the sea and sky in the distance. At the end of the road, you will reach Huilan Pavilion. The vermilion building is particularly eye-catching against the backdrop of the blue sky and blue sea. The pavilion displays the historical changes of Qingdao, which makes people immersed in it.
📸With the sea as the background, stand in the middle of the pier and take a very artistic photo to freeze this fresh moment.
▫️Lunch: Chunhelou (Zhongshan Road Branch)
When you come to Qingdao, how can you miss this century-old brand. The crispy chicken is the signature dish of the restaurant. The skin is golden and crispy, and the chicken is tender and juicy. When you take a bite, it makes a crunching sound and the aroma is everywhere. Pair it with a serving of three-fresh steamed dumplings. The plump dumpling filling is a perfect blend of shrimp, sea cucumber and pork, and the delicious taste blooms on the tip of your tongue.
▫·Afternoon: Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street
Walking along Zhongshan Road, you will see European-style buildings on both sides of the road, including Gothic and Baroque styles, as if you are in a European town. There are various specialty shops and cafes on the street. When you are tired of shopping, you can walk into a cafe, order a latte☕, appreciate the street view through the window, and feel the laziness and comfort of this city.
▫·Evening: Catholic Church (free)
The solemn double-spired Gothic architectural style of the Catholic Church looks even more sacred in the afterglow of the setting sun. In the square in front of the church, pigeons cooed, sometimes flying up and sometimes landing, and the scene was very peaceful. At this time, you may want to take a few intimate photos with the pigeons to capture this warm moment.
🚩Day 2: Wonders of mountains and seas, immersion in nature
▫·Morning: Laoshan (tickets vary according to the route)
Although Laoshan in February is less lush, it has more of a cool beauty. If you choose to climb the south route, you can enjoy the magnificent scenery of mountains and sea along the way. The sea is at your feet, the mountains are behind you, and the clouds and mist are lingering in between, like a fairyland. The Taiqing Palace on the mountain, with its red walls and green tiles and towering ancient trees, exudes a mysterious atmosphere that makes people marvel at the profoundness of Taoist culture.
📸At the observation deck on the top of the mountain, with the panoramic view of the mountains and the sea as the background, take a breathtaking photo and capture the wonders of nature.
▫·Lunch: Laoshan Farmhouse Banquet
Try the local wild vegetable steamed buns. The freshly picked wild vegetables are simply processed and wrapped in soft dough. When you take a bite, the fragrance of the wild vegetables spreads. There is also chicken stewed in an iron pot, which uses free-range chickens from Laoshan. The chicken is firm and is stewed with mountain mushrooms. The soup is rich and fragrant, which greatly increases your appetite.
▫·Afternoon: Shilaoren Beach (free)
Although you can't go swimming in the sea, the Shilaoren Beach in February has a unique flavor. The sand on the beach is very fine. Walking on it, listening to the sound of waves hitting the shore and looking at the iconic Stone Man Reef in the distance, a sense of tranquility wells up in your heart. When the sun sets, the afterglow shines on the rocks, outlining its contours, which is beautiful beyond words.
▫·Evening: Macalline Food Plaza (Qingdao Headquarters)
There are delicacies from all over the world gathered here, satisfying any taste you may have. Have a steaming Korean army hotpot, or try Japanese sushi, feel the charm of food brought about by the collision of diverse cultures, and let your taste buds take a trip around the world.
🚩Day 3: Explore literature and art, and understand history
▫·Morning: Badaguan (free)
Walking into Badaguan is like stepping into a museum of architectural art. It brings together architectural styles from more than 20 countries including Russia, Britain, France, Germany, and Malaysia, and is known as the "International Architecture Expo." Badaguan in February is quiet and cool. You can stroll along the tree-lined paths, admire the villas of different styles, and feel the sedimentation of history. Occasionally, you can see a few couples taking wedding photos here, adding a touch of romance to this ancient area.
📸Choose a European-style villa, wear retro clothes and take a set of nostalgic photos to show a different style.
▫·Lunch: Kowloon Restaurant (No. 4 Dagu Road)
Recommended dishes include spicy squid strips. The squid is tender and chewy, and paired with spicy seasoning, it is irresistible. There are also scallops with oyster sauce. The scallop meat is plump and the richness of the oyster sauce and the freshness of the scallops complement each other. This simple dish is extremely delicious.
▫·Afternoon: Tsingtao Beer Museum (ticket includes beer tasting, different packages have different prices)
Walk into the museum and learn about the century-old history of Tsingtao Beer, from brewing technology to brand development, all presented before your eyes. After the tour, you will have the opportunity to taste freshly brewed raw beer. The rich malt aroma and mellow taste will make you intoxicated and experience Qingdao's unique beer culture.
▫·Souvenirs: Tsingtao beer, Laoshan green tea, and shell carvings.
🏡Accommodation suggestions:
▪· Shangri-La Hotel, Qingdao (high-end, excellent location, close to the seaside and many attractions, convenient for travel)
▪· Express hotels near the Zhanqiao (high cost-effectiveness, close to the Zhanqiao, Zhongshan Road and other attractions, convenient for sightseeing)
💡Tips:
1️⃣ The temperature in Qingdao is relatively low in February, so remember to bring warm clothes such as thick down jackets, scarves, gloves, etc.
2️⃣ Before visiting Laoshan, pay attention to the weather forecast, choose the hiking route reasonably, and take warm and anti-slip measures.
3️⃣ When tasting Tsingtao Beer, please drink in moderation and do not drive after drinking.
This February, accompanied by the melody of "Qingdao", come to Qingdao to experience a wonderful journey of seaside and mountain, history and literature 💕, and let the charm of Qingdao be deeply engraved in your heart.