Lao Shan (Láo Shān, 崂山) is an important Taoist mountain which, while not very high compared to other Chinese mountains, is rather imposing as its 1,100 m (3,606 ft) height seems to emerge straight from the sea. Only 40 km (25 mi) from Qingdao, Lao Shan is a wonderful and also accessible place to explore. Its scenery is as famous as its mythology, characterized by clear streams (once used to make Tsingtao beer), waterfalls, rock formations, giant flowering shrubs and hidden temple ruins. Lao Shan was once a busy Taoist mountain, home to thousands of nuns and monks. The religious activity was stifled by the Cultural Revolution and now the Great Purity Palace remains the only architectural relic worth visiting on the mountain. Today, it bustles with tourists from all around the Middle Kingdom, which can make for a crowd on national holidays. Like most of China'... more >>

Qingdao's name translates as "Green Island," and though it's technically a peninsula, it does boast some of the lovliest spots of urban green in all of China. Zhongshan Park is a case in point: a huge expanse of green space that runs well over a kilometer down toward the shores of Huiquan Bay from the top of a steep hilltop with a sweeping view of the city and sea beyond. In between, you'll find trees and lawns, flowerbeds and pleasant paths, as well as the city zoo and Zhanshan Si (Zhanshan Temple), the largest Buddhist temple in town, known for its carved sandalwood Buddhas. In spring and early summer, the park is full of trees, with the April-May Qingdao Cherry Blossom Festival being a seasonal high point. The northeast part of the park is also known as Taipingshan Park. The namesake "mountain" (really just an impressive hill) can be ascended ... more >>

  There are few places in the world where you’ll find marine shows as tacky as this place, and that fact alone is almost worth making the effort to see it.  The oldest marine park in Qingdao, the aquarium’s got a history that goes back about 70 years.  In recent times, the aquarium has seen major investments and construction and is now host to an impressive array of displays.  Among the four underground levels you’ll find an inter-tidal zone display, a seabed tunnel, a cabin passage, a marine theater, the purported largest cylindrical aquarium in the world, a rare marine species zone, a rainforest area and a surprisingly large marine education area which features an open lab, a touch pool, interactive video displays and a studio. If you were hoping to catch some of the marine shows, don’t worry, there’s a lot to choose from: &ld... more >>

Catch an arctic breeze in Polar Ocean World (Jídì Hǎiyáng Shìjiè, 极地海洋世界), where penguins cavort in the water and white furred bears laze about on the ice. After you’ve seen your share of sea-otter shenanigans, take a stroll about the multitude of aquariums where the manifold shapes and colors of over 10, 000 aquatic species await. Make sure to make some inquiries regarding the Beluga whale show, these gentle creatures put on quite the performance.  If you’re day isn’t complete without souvenirs, don’t worry, the gift shop’s got you covered, the variety in here almost equals what you’d find in the aquariums!   more >>

Originally built in 1892 as a wharf, the Zhan Qiao Pier was expanded and repaired twice, once in 1931 and then again in 1985. Made of reinforced concrete and extending some 440 meters, the Zhan Qiao Pier is one of the most popular attractions in Qingdao, its octagonal Ripple Diverging Pavilion, "hui lai ko," the most recognizable structure on the pier. The Zhan Qiao Pier is also famous as the location of the Tsingtao beer sign. more >>

Formerly part of the Qingdao's short-lived German-concession, Xiao Qingdao, or little Qing Island, was officially open to the public in 1987, after its previous incarnation as a restricted military area. Originally connected to the mainland via isthumus, Xiao Qingdao now stands alone, after years of rising sea levels. The most recognizable attraction on the island is a white, marble lighthouse that dates back to the German era. There are also marvelous botanical gardens that feature the rare Qingdao White Lily, which grows only in southern Shandong. more >>

Located on Taiping Hill near Zhongshan Park, the Qingdao Arboretum and Zhanshan Si, the Qingdao TV tower offers a spectacular panoramic view of the city's Shinan district. Standing 348 meters high, the Qingdao TV Tower features a revolving restaurant and a 2008 Olympic Museum on the ground floor. more >>

Located across the street from the Qingdao International Convention Center, the Qingdao Municipal Museum, opened in 1965, houses more than 100,000 cultural relics, ranging from calligraphy, painting, pottery and porcelain wares, bronze, ancient coins, tortoise shell inscriptions, bamboo, wood and ivory. more >>

Situated on the southern side of Lao Shan amongst a larger Taoist complex that once housed 9 palaces, 8 temples and seventy-two nunneries, the Taiqing Palace, or Great Purity Palace, is regarded as one of the most sacred Taoist Palaces in history. Originally built in 140 B.C. during the Western Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-24 A.D.), Taiqing actually better resembles a Song Dynasty structure (960-1279 A.D.) due to renovation. Comprised of three courts (Sanguan Hall, Sanqing Hall and Sanhuang Hall) and 155 rooms, Taiqing currently ranks as China's second most important Taoist temple. more >>

Opened to the public in 1983, Xiao Yu Shan Park offers excellent views of No. 1 Bathing Beach from its hilltop location. Situated on the Xiao Yu Shan Park grounds are Lanchao Ge (Tide Viewing Pavilion), Yongcui Ting (Green Group Embedded Pavilion) and BiboTing (Pavilion for Viewing Blue Ripples), all of which provide stunning, panoramic views of Qingdao. more >>