Qingdao...
Here at Chinatravel.net, we are expanding our Olympic coverage to make sure all our foreign visitors have the inside scoop on the best spots to visit while they’re in the country for the Olympics. We’ve already posted a list of the top 10 attractions in Beijing for traveling families, and we’ll be adding Shanghai in the near future. Don’t forget to check the Olympic section of our Forum to find out the latest buzz surrounding the athletes, the Fuwa, cyborg-Olympians, Speedo super-suits and everything else Olympics.
So, without further ado, here’s a list of a few attractions not to miss, and other fun activities to indulge in if you find yourself in the Olympic city of Qingdao in the near future…
- Zongshan Park A quick and easy getaway from the city into the refreshing green of nature. You’ll find greens, flowerbeds, trails, beautiful views of the city and the beach, the city zoo, as well as a cable car. Nice spot for a picnic.
- Qingdao Brewery Museum makes for a relaxing stroll, complete with unlimited free beer samples, through some of Qingdao’s recent history. Though the museum has more promotional value than educational value, it’s always fun to be able to justify drinking alcohol for “educational purposes.”
- Tianhou Temple is a fifteenth century temple dedicated to the Buddhist Goddess of the Sea, Tianhou, protectress of Qingdao. A quaint little temple in town, it’s the perfect place to take in a little Buddhist peace and quiet and connect with some real history.
- Qingdao Underwater World is a sprawling complex with a myriad of animal species on display. 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.
- Qingdao Polar Ocean World two mega-aquariums in one city!!?? We’re not kidding. If you didn’t get your fill of sea-life at Underwater World, you can catch penguins, polar bears, and beluga whale shows here on Qingdao's island of Huang Dao.
- Lao Shan if you’re looking to break a sweat, come hit the trails on Lao Shan (literally, “Old Mountain”). You won’t avoid the crowds if you take the cable car to the top, but the trails are usually pretty much deserted – and you’ll find temple ruins and waterfalls to explore on the way up!
- Beach No. 1 we’d be remiss in our duties if we didn’t mention Qingdao’s claim to fame, its long stretches of sandy beach. Though No. 1 is the most trafficked, Qingdao also has six others to choose from, assuring a place for ocean-lovers and sun-worshippers of every stripe.
- Qingdao Paintball Club make a team or join a game. Not the most Chinese attraction, but definitely something to try for the rush of competition and wealth of legitimate opportunities to impersonate Rambo, Commando and other gun-toting actions stars. You’ll find the Paintball club in Forest Fun Park along Shangqing lu.
- Gold Rider Club for those with an equestrian streak. Rides cost CNY 40 for ten minutes.
Of course, if you've come across other worthwhile attractions, make sure to let the rest of the Chinatravel.net community know by putting a post up in our forum!
Enjoy!