Qingdao
is situated at the foot of Lao Shan Mountain and on the shore of the Yellow Sea. Qingdao's architecture presents a characteristic European style and is very harmonious on the whole. The red roofs, green trees, blue sea, and azure sky form a bright and colorful picture of Qingdao. The city is sometimes known as the Switzerland of the Orient. In cooperation with the Beijing Olympic Games 2008, Qingdao will hold the Sailing Competition in the Olympic Games in 2008. This great event brings a great opportunity for this charming city to build its bright future.
Laoshan
Different from many famous mountains in China, Lao Mountain rises from the sea level, and has a coast line of 87 kilometers, structuring a wonder on the sea. The main peak, named Large Peak or Peak Lao, is over 1100 meters high above sea level. Take a walk around, with the sea on one side, and lofty stones and precipitous peaks on the other side, both majestic and elegant.
Xiaoqingdao Island
Whose shape is like an ancient violin ,is also called "Vinlin Isle" , The isle in the east and Zhanqiao pier in the west face each other across the sea. Germany build the white lighthouse on the isle at the beginning of this century. Its light reflected on the sea makes quite a spectacle at night, so much so that it has become known as "Floating Light of the Isle".
Beaches
In all there are seven bathing beaches (Haishui Yuchang), the most popular being those numbered 1, 2 and 3.
The largest is Beach No. 1, in the south of the town, which is 580m/640yd long. No. 2 is a little way further east, where more than 80 hotels and health clinics lie in a row. About 1km/.5mi further east still is Beach No. 3, which is not as large as the other two.
German-style Buildings
The main attraction of the city, for the numerous Chinese summer guests who visit Qingdao, are the houses of the old town that were constructed in the German style.
The following buildings and complexes are particularly remarkable:
Although the station was reconstructed in the 1920s, the new building was adorned with the facade and the tower of the original German station built in 1900-1901.
Until 1914, the main shopping street, Sun-Yat-sen Street, in the old town was called Friedrichstrasse. There are still many of buildings here, for example the sailors' house at the corner of Hubei Lu (Kronprinzenstrasse).
A little further north stands St Michael's Cathedral. Although this Catholic church with two towers (54m/177ft high) had a German architect it was not built until 1931-1934 in the Neo-Romanesque style.
The riverside walk (Kaiser Wilhelm promenade) runs east from the pier. Several old buildings are preserved, including a hotel and the former headquarters of the German Asiatic Bank.
Government House, the largest and most imposing building in the old town, is situated on the southern slopes of Government Hill, facing the riverside walk, with a view of Qingdao Lu (formerly Wilhelmstrasse). It was completed in 1906, and later became the town hall. In 1989 the building was doubled in size by a mirrored copy on the mountainside.
The Protestant Christ's Church east of Government House was built in 1908-1910 in the historical German art nouveau style.
The most spectacular of the German buildings in town is the Governor's Residence, situated on the slope of Signal Hill. Its interior is almost completely preserved, and today it is a hotel.
Lu Xun Gongyuan Park
This park, named after the writer Lu Xun lies in the south of the town on a rocky promontory close by the sea, and gives a wonderful view over the water.
Market
This market in Jimo Street (Jimolu Schichang), in the town center, is renowned for the rich array of goods on sale. It is estimated that some 200,000 people visit it every day. As well as Laoshan mineral water, old furniture, second-hand bicycles, straw baskets and much, much more is here to tempt the buyer.
Pavilion of the Rebounding Waves
(Local Name: Huilan Ge) At the southern end of the pier stands the octagonal Pavilion of the Rebounding Waves, built in classical Chinese style. Inside, a spiral staircase leads up to the upper story.
The pier and this pavilion are regarded as Qingdao's emblems.
Pier
(Local Name: Qianhai Zhanqiao) The pier (Qianhai Zhanqiao), the main attraction for all visitors to Qingdao, juts 440m/1320ft from the coastal promenade into the sea. At the end it has a Chinese pavilion. A pier was first built here in 1891; it was extended to its present-day length and size in 1931.
Zhanshan Temple
situated in the east of the town and encircled by hills, was built in 1934 and is the only Buddhist edifice in Qingdao. In the eastern section of the complex towers an octagonal stone pagoda of seven stories.
Qingdao International Sailing Club (QISC),
formerly known as "Wind-Catcher Sailing Club"
Location: #6 Nanhai Lu, just east of No. 1 Bathing Beach.
Tel: 0532 - 8286 4645
Wind-Catcher Sailing Club was the most active small-boat sailing place in Qingdao until the end of 2006 when the people behind the club decided to tear down "the old" and start constructing a whole new complex. The new place, now called Qingdao International Sailing Club (QISC), is scheduled to open beginning of September this year (2008).
The launch ramp is now wider and longer than before. This should eliminate previous years' problems to sail from the place during low tide hours. With the new facilities, an improved access ramp, and a relatively good selection of boats, Qingdao International Sailing Club should be the best place in Qingdao to rent a small boat when the club opens in early September (2008).
or and there is a beer place there too, I heard :icon_cheesygrin:
