Qingdao is a breezy, red-roofed seaside city on the Yellow Sea coast of Shandong — a place of sandy beaches, German colonial architecture and the famous Tsingtao brewery, all wrapped around dramatic headlands and a buzzing harbour. With cobbled old streets, a hilltop cathedral and fresh sea air, it has a charm and a relaxed, beachy pace unlike anywhere else in China, and is consistently rated one of the country's most liveable cities.
Qingdao has a temperate, sea-moderated climate, with warm, comfortable summers — a refuge from China's inland heat — crisp winters and fresh, breezy springs and autumns. It is home to an established international community, with English used in its universities and international schools. Mandarin is the language of daily life, while a comfortable cost of living, a modern metro and a famously clean, green seaside setting make it a wonderfully pleasant place to settle in.
Location Info
- Relaxed, scenic seaside city with beaches, sea air and an established expat scene
- Very safe, with low street crime even late at night
- A modern metro plus cheap buses, taxis and ride-hailing
Top Experiences
The Beaches & Zhanqiao Pier
Qingdao is China's seaside capital. Swim and sunbathe on the golden city beaches, then stroll the century-old Zhanqiao Pier reaching out into the bay — the symbol on every Tsingtao bottle.
Tsingtao Brewery & Beer Street
Tour the historic German-founded brewery, home of China's most famous beer, then join the crowds along Beer Street, where it's served fresh from the keg — even in plastic bags to take away.
The Old Town & St Michael's Cathedral
Wander the cobbled, red-roofed streets of the former German concession up to the twin-spired St Michael's Cathedral — a photogenic slice of Bavaria on the Yellow Sea.
Badaguan Scenic Area
Explore the leafy "Eight Passes" district of grand old villas, themed tree-lined streets and rocky coves — Qingdao at its most elegant, and a favourite for wedding photos.
Mount Lao (Laoshan)
Hike the granite peaks and Taoist temples of the highest coastal mountain in China, rising straight from the sea just outside the city — spectacular trails and the spring water behind Tsingtao beer.
Seafood & the Beer Festival
Feast on some of China's best seafood at bustling night markets, and if you're here in late summer, join the enormous Qingdao International Beer Festival — Asia's biggest.
Getting Around
Qingdao is hilly and spread along the coast, but easy to navigate. Its clean, modern metro is cheap and signed in English, backed by an extensive bus network, while Didi (China's ride-hailing app) and metered taxis cost little. Much of the old town and seafront is a pleasure to explore on foot. Almost everything is paid for by phone with WeChat Pay or Alipay, so it's worth setting these up soon after you arrive.
When to Go
Late spring (May to June) and autumn (September to October) are the finest seasons — warm, clear and breezy, ideal for the beaches and the coast. Summers stay pleasantly mild thanks to the sea but are the busiest time, while winters are cold and windy, so pack a proper coat.
Good to Know
- The Chinese yuan (CNY/RMB) is the currency, and Qingdao is very affordable to live in.
- Mandarin is the official language and everyday English is limited, so a translation app is invaluable.
- Almost all payments are by phone — set up WeChat Pay or Alipay early.
- A VPN is needed for many Western sites and apps, so arrange one before you arrive.
- Qingdao is extremely safe, with very low rates of street crime.
- The whole country runs on China Standard Time (GMT+8).
