Qingdao, an old port city situated on the
Southern coast of Shandong, China, is a quaint
and popular spot for travelers and sun seekers
alike. At first sight the city seems almost a
small town, a quick stroll around the railway
area, close to the Old German
Concession and the seafront, can be a
deceptive image of the city proper, a
deception that thankfully tends to stick with
most of her visitors. With a total area of
10.645 square km and a total population of
6.95 million (2.27 million in the urban
district), Qingdao is in fact one of China's
most important economic cities and is the
nation's fourth largest port.
A German concession taken in 1897 and ceded
for a total of 99 years, the city retains much
of its colonial architecture and charm. The
city has changed hands many times since then
(the Japanese took the port in 1914, formerly
ceded to them by the Treaty of Versailles in
1921, it returned to China in 1922, was then
taken back by the Japanese in 1938 and finally
returned to its present owners during World
War II, 1945), but the dislocations of these
changes have left little mark upon the city
proper.
Qingdao lies between mountain and sea, a
well chosen coastal port with clear deep
waters and a comfortable climate. The
mountains provide a collection of interesting
sights, centered around the mystical Laoshan,
while the sea provides relaxation,
gentle waves, bared rocks, and some golden
beaches forming what is probably China's best
northern beach resort. The historical culture,
variety of religion, civil traditions, village
customs, and holiday celebrations all add to
Qingdao's rich culture.
The German influence in Qingdao extends
beyond impressive architecture to many other
areas; from town planning, creating lush
wooded avenues and some of China's best parks,
to local customs. Of particular interest to
many of her visitors is, of course, the
Tsingdao beer, produced locally from the pure
Laoshan water, and whose origins lie in the
first brewery, established in 1903. For those
so inclined, the Beer festival (August 12-26)
is a great time to visit.
