Memories of Qingdao Before Winter Arrives (Five-Day Travel Guide)

Qingdao is truly the most atmospheric city I've visited so far. After going once, I want to go countless times. Here’s a five-day, four-night itinerary guide for everyone. 1️⃣ Itinerary Route DAY 1: 📍Huangdao Golden Beach Since I arrived in Qingdao around noon on the first day, the afternoon can be spent playing by the beach, watching the sunset, walking along the seaside where there are fewer people and some amusement facilities that are great for photos. The sea breeze is strong, so dress warmly~ DAY 2: 📍Polar Ocean World - Xiaoyushan (Little Fish Hill) If it’s cloudy ☁️, you can choose to visit the aquarium. I recommend Polar Ocean World, which has beluga whales, polar bears, penguins, and many other animals, plus some performances to watch. The nearby Ice and Snow Park is very small ⚠️, no need to rent clothes, just take a quick look around. 🐟⛰️ Xiaoyushan is highly recommended; it only takes three minutes to reach the top, where you can check in at the beautiful Crescent Bay and enjoy a panoramic view of Qingdao (P2). DAY 3: 📍Second Bathing Beach → Catholic Church → Zhanqiao Pier → Xiling Gorge → Longjiang Road → Signal Hill → Night Beach Tour Follow this route to explore Qingdao’s city center. You can take a taxi or walk; every spot is worth visiting! 🌄 Be sure to watch the sunset from Signal Hill—it’s absolutely stunning! (P3-P6) Little tip: There’s a café on the hill with a great view and no crowds. If you want to shoot a sunset time-lapse, grab a coffee and sit by the window. At night, go for a beach stroll, bring some beer, and enjoy the sea breeze—so relaxing. DAY 4: 📍Laoshan Mountain → Qingshan Fishing Village → Xiaomai Island There are many routes to explore Laoshan. From the city, take Metro Line 4 to "Dahedong Station," Exit A leads directly to the Laoshan Tourist Service Center. Start at the Laoshan Yangkou Scenic Area, take the cable car up the mountain, visit Lion Peak, Mitiandong Cave, and other attractions, and enjoy the mountain and sea views from the summit (P7-P8). After descending, take a taxi to Qingshan Fishing Village, about a 30-minute drive along the beautiful coastal highway! ⛰️ In the afternoon, head to Xiaomai Island to watch the sunset; the water is especially clear. DAY 5: Departure day. If you have time, you can visit parks, cafés, and other spots in the city center. 2️⃣ About Accommodation Strongly recommend “An Zhi Ruo Su Ya Apartment (Huiquan Road No.1 Branch)” in the city center. The sea view is unbeatable and it’s affordable! I found it by chance and was pleasantly surprised when I stayed there (P10-P12). 3️⃣ About Food 🔥 Highly recommend “Jiulong Restaurant” - Fried pork chop - Spicy squid strips - Stir-fried big tube squid - Garlic seaweed salad - Clam and winter melon soup Unfortunately, I didn’t get to try other especially good restaurants, so recommendations are welcome. 🌟 Qingdao is really perfect for introverts. The whole city gives off a quiet and beautiful vibe. You can spend an entire afternoon doing nothing but sitting by the sea and enjoying the breeze.