The city is home to more than eight million people and attracts over 15 million visitors annually. Located on the Shandong peninsula in Jiaozhou Bay, facing the Yellow Sea, Qingdao holds an international beer festival every August where the centrepiece is, of course, the local brew, Tsingtao beer.

The shopping and commercial areas include the old city centre Zhongshan Road which has hundreds of shops, the emerging shopping and entertainment zone Taidong District, and the new metropolis centre Hong Kong Zhong Road, where the big shopping malls such as Jusco, Carrefour and Mykal are located.

For traditional shopping, try Qingdao Culture Market at Changle Road. There are lots of independent small shops selling antiques, second-hand books and artworks.

For nightlife in Qingdao there are numerous bars, restaurants, tea houses, clubs and KTVs (karaoke bars) and all the five-star hotels in town have their own entertainment. Try Lennon Bar and restaurant New York Bar, Bat Bar, Jack’s Bar, Connor Jazz, Café Hausbrandt and Night Wave to mention just a few.

Visitors can also enjoy the Qingdao landscapes. It is one of the first National Scenic Resorts created by the State Council in 1982. The scenery of the Zhanqiao Pier, Luxun Park, Little Qingdao Isle, Xiaoyu Hill, Badaguan, the seashore and the May Fourth Square are all beside the sea and make up the famous sights of Qingdao. Red rooftops and green trees, sapphire sea and blue sky in the scenic resort will make you feel happy and refreshed.

THE QINGDAO OLYMPIC SAILING CENTRE

The Qingdao Olympic Sailing Centre is located at the former Beihai dockyard in FuShan Bay adjoining May 4th Square and DongHai West Rd. The Sailing Regattas of the 29th Olympic Games in 2008 as well as the 13th Paralympic Games were held at this location, now called the Qingdao Olympic Sailing Centre.