This divine photo spot is unknown to 99% of people in Qingdao

### 🌊 **1. Itinerary Planning: 5 Days 4 Nights In-Depth Tour** (Budget reference: 3500-4500 RMB per person) **Day 1: Old Town Stroll · European Charm** - **Zhanqiao Pier**: Feed the seagulls early in the morning (November to March next year), capture stunning shots of "Huilange Pavilion + sunrise." - **Catholic Church**: Gothic architecture, 10 RMB entrance fee, avoid visiting during mass. - **Signal Hill Park**: Climb the rotating observation deck for a panoramic view of "red tiles, green trees, blue sea, and sky" (free but requires reservation). - **University Road Instagram Wall**: Check in at the red wall corner, visit artsy cafes. - **Night tour of Taidong Pedestrian Street**: Try stinky tofu from the national football team, Wang Sister’s barbecue, and experience local street life. **Day 2: Seaside Carnival · Beer Culture** - **Badaguan Scenic Area**: Photograph the fairy-tale exterior of the Princess House and the sea-view windows of the Flower Stone House; spring crabapples and autumn phoenix trees are very photogenic. - **Tsingtao Beer Museum**: Drink original draft beer and beer ice cream, DIY your own beer label (ticket includes 2 beers). - **Olympic Sailing Center**: Sailboat trip at dusk (about 150 RMB), watch the Fushan Bay light show at night (19:30-21:00). **Day 3: Laoshan Wonderland · Mountain and Sea Marvels** - **Yangkou Scenic Area**: Take the cable car to the top, explore the Heavenly Cave, overlook the magnificent scenery where the Yellow Sea meets cliffs. - **Taiqing Palace**: Experience thousand-year-old Taoist culture, ancient trees and incense smoke everywhere. - **Qingshan Fishing Village**: Enjoy a farmhouse seafood feast, take photos of the "Little Italy" style colorful houses and pier. **Day 4: Beach Vacation + Trendy Experiences** - **Golden Beach**: Asia’s finest sandy beach, enjoy water activities or relax sunbathing. - **Cloud Sea Sky**: 369-meter-high glass observation deck, panoramic views of mountains, sea, and city (82nd-floor restaurant and bar is a must-visit). - **Usea Fantasy Ocean World**: VR deep-sea adventure, swim with orcas (China’s first ocean metaverse park). **Day 5: Artistic Finale · Free Exploration** - **Xiaomai Island Park**: Picnic on the lawn + sunset with cliff pine trees, a healing sea view. - **Taiping Mountain Cableway**: Ride the cable car featured in "A Little Red Flower," passing through forests and coastline. --- ### 🍤 **2. Qingdao on the Taste Buds: Must-Eat Food Map** **Local Snacks**: - **Spicy Stir-fried Clams + Bagged Beer**: A staple at street stalls, recommended at Pichaiyuan Jiangning Club. - **Pomfret Dumplings**: Chuange Fish Dumplings (chain store) or old street small eateries, thin skin and fresh filling! - **Wild Wontons**: Late-night street stall, bone broth with chili oil, a soul food for locals at night. - **Wanggzhuang Giant Steamed Bun**: 3 jin (about 1.5 kg) heavy intangible cultural heritage bun, fragrant wheat aroma, perfect with seafood soup. **High-End Restaurant Recommendations**: - **Chunhelou**: Century-old brand, crispy outside and tender inside chicken. - **Mingjia Shiji**: Creative Rong Tangxin abalone, top choice for upscale banquets. - **Island Fishing Village**: Steamed oysters with original flavor, sea view seats require reservation. > **🍺 Current Event**: 2025 Boli Beer & Food Carnival (6.28-7.13)! Free admission, light show + intangible cultural heritage iron flower performance + hundreds of seafood pancakes, a carnival hotspot on the West Coast. --- ### 📸 **3. 2025 New Popular Check-in Spots**: 1. **Polar Light · Sea Ferris Wheel**: 66 meters high, 13 minutes 14 seconds romantic journey, stunning LED light curtain at night. 2. **Sea View Qingdao Route**: Take a boat from Olympic Sailing Center, chase the "Diamond Sea" morning light or "Orange Sea" sunset. 3. **Roaming Theater "Legend of Crimson Snow"**: Laoshan VR immortal martial arts experience, sword flying through the sea of clouds (Laoshan Cultural Center). 4. **Tuiwa · Holiday Villa**: Century-old German-style villa renovation, vintage photography heaven (Guantao Road district). --- ### ⚠️ **4. Pitfall Avoidance & Practical Tips** 1. **Transportation**: - Choose ride-hailing from airport/train station, metro covers main attractions (download "Qingdao Metro APP"). - For Laoshan, join a one-day tour to avoid transfer hassles. 2. **Accommodation**: - Prefer Shinan District (near May Fourth Square/Zhanqiao Pier), convenient transportation, recommended sea view homestays. 3. **Avoid Scams**: - Beware of "free photo" traps at Zhanqiao Pier, bring your own bread to feed seagulls. - After buying seafood at the market, find a beer house for cooking service, most cost-effective (around Taidong Night Market). 4. **Best Seasons**: - May-June & September-October have fewer crowds and lower prices; July-August is lively due to Beer Festival but accommodation prices double. --- ### 💎 **Conclusion** The beauty of Qingdao lies in the stone patterns of century-old churches, in the frothy beer bubbles swirling in plastic bags, and more in the silhouette of the lone pine at the cliff’s edge. Whether you come for a mouthwatering oyster or chase the metaverse deep sea under Van Gogh’s starry sky, there is always a way here to make your summer feel like an everlasting movie. **Set off now, let the sea breeze write your story into your journey!** 🌅 Qingdao · Shandong