Welcome to Qingdao

Qingdao 

Lying on the south coast of the Shandong Peninsula, Qingdao is a city of picturesque red-tiled roofs nestled between green hills and blue sea. The mild climate, the bathing beach, and Mount Laoshan make Qingdao a popular health and holiday resort, particularly in summer when visitors come here in droves for sightseeing and escaping the heat.

Qingdao is also an industrial city and a major foreign trade port. Its mineral water, wine, and excellent Tsingtao Beer are world-famous. Among the local arts and crafts, shell carvings are especially popular with tourists.

An Important Coastal City in East China

  Qingdao is a key economic center and port city in China famous for its cultural heritage and picturesque scenery.

  Qingdao is one of China's top ten economically dynamic cities and top ten business cities. It is the winner of the country's "Entrepreneur's Satisfaction Award".

  Qingdao is a national model for environmental protection, city sanitation and landscape development. It is the winner of "China Human Settlements and Environment Award".

  Qingdao is a sailing city in China. The 29th Olympic sailing regatta will be held here in 2008.

  Qingdao is one of the 14 coastal cities opening up to the outside world and one of the eight cities authorized to hold international conferences.

  Qingdao is one of China's major seaports for foreign trade.

  Qingdao is an important base for marine science research in China.

Geographic Location and Natural Environment

  Qingdao is located at the southern tip of the Shandong Peninsula (35'35' ~ 37'09'N, 119'30'~ 121'00'E). It is characterized by a unique blend of sea and mountains and a pleasant climate. Qingdao has a total coastline (including its islands) of 870 kilometers, 730 kilometers of which are continental coastline, accounting for one fourth of the total length in Shandong Province. There are numerous capes and coves along the zigzag coastline.

  Qingdao has seven urban districts and five county-level cities under its jurisdiction with a total area of 10,654 square kilometers and a population of 7,311,200. The urban area measures 1,102 square kilometers and urban residents total 2,584,000.

  Qingdao lies in the North Temperate Zone and has the typical temperate monsoon climate. Under the direct influence of the southeastern monsoon and the sea currents and tides, the city proper features marked marine climate ? humid air, mild temperature and clear-cut seasons. In spring, the weather becomes warmer slowly, usually one month later than the inland areas. It is humid and rainy in summer, but is free from fiercely hot days, while cool and dry in autumn. Winter here is long and usually windy but not unbearably cold.

URBAN CONSTRACTION and PLANNING 

  Targeting at a " world-renowned city with distinctive features" and a " national key center city", Qingdao's focus is on develop the three economic fields of port, tourism and marine science as well as on the construction of the four industrial bases for  home appliances and electronics, petrochemicals, automobile, locomotive manufacturing and shipbuilding and new materials.  Qingdao is currently developing six industrial clusters for home appliances, electronic information, petrochemicals, automobile, shipbuilding and port as well as building a regional shipping center, logistics center, service center, financial center and high-tech industrial center.

  Qingdao's development is based on the concept of "three-point layout", "one-line planning" and "group development strategy". The "three-point layout" refers to the development of the Jiaozhou Bay region relying on the three basic points of the old urban district of Qingdao, Huangdao and Hongdao, and the construction of the new urban district by connecting the three points with a trans-oceanic bridge or undersea tunnel and the Jiaozhou Bay Expressway. The "one-line planning" refers to building a coastal highway from Langyatai in Jiaonan to Tianhengdao Island in Jimo, which will connect all parts of the city to form a main urban development belt. The "group development strategy" refers to the expansion of business groups on both sides of the coastal highway. There will be seven development groups respectively in Tianhengdao Island, Aoshan, Zhucheng, Hongdao, Huangdao, Jiaonan and Langyatai, which will push forward the urbanization of the adjacent regions.

  To carry out the west coast development strategy: this involves the westward relocation of the port, and the construction of an "international port" and an international transshipment port. It will promote investment in large projects and the emergence of a new economic center on the west coast.

To construct "five areas": by adjusting the productivity layout, a development mode will be established in five areas:  the city's west coast and east coast, the North bank of the Jiaozhou Bay, the suburban areas and the old urban area. The plan will be carried out in strict accordance with administration layout adjustment .

QINGDAO and THE OLYMPICS

  Qingdao is an athletic and soccer town, and its people have a strong liking for sports. In 2004, Qingdao athletes won a total of 227 gold medals, 182 silver medals, and 147 bronze medals, and broke three national records in sports competitions at all levels.

  As the host city for the 29th Olympic sailing regatta in 2008, Qingdao has begun making overall plans for the Olympic sailing facilities based on its gifted landscape of "mountain, sea and city" as well as the harmony between man and nature in order to improve the ecological environment and hold a "Green, - High-tech and the People's Olympics" with unique Qingdao characteristics. By building an international water sports center with first-class sailing facilities in Asia, which is among the leading sailing countries in the world, we will characterize Qingdao as the  "Marine Olympics" city and build Qingdao into a Sailing City.

  By June 2004, the plan and architectural design for the Olympic Water Sports Center will be finalized. The relocation of the Beihai Shipyard and construction preparations were finished, and some infrastructure construction work was started. By June 2006, the Olympic Water Sports Center and its related supporting facilities will be fundamentally completed, and the construction of urban infrastructure facilities will commence in an all-round way. By June 2008, all the Olympic-related construction will be completed in accordance with the Olympic sailing requirements. The pre-Olympic sailing games will be held. From July to December 2008, the Olympic sailing regatta and the Para-Olympics will take place here.

Zhanqiao Pier

Zhanqiao Pier, built in 1891, is the symbol of Qingdao. After several restorations, from being a simple military harbor, it is now open to tourists. The pier is 440 meters long. There is an octagonal pagoda of distinctive Chinese style, called “ Huilan Pagoda”, at the end of the pier. From the top, tourists can fully view the Maganificent Sea. Along the shore is the beautiful Pier Park, which is a pleasant and quiet place for tourists to rest or enjoy the scenery of Little Qingdao Island and its white tower.

Tsingtao beer

  Qingdao is famous in China for its delicious fresh seafood. The Laoshan Scenic Area has an import

ant position in sightseeing because of its beautiful scenery, natural pearls and exquisite crafts. Qin

gdao beer (Tsingtao beer), a popular beer brand in the world, is produced in Qingdao, allowing to

urists to easily get the freshest Qingdao Beer in Qingdao.

May 4th Square

This square is named to honor the May 4th Movement which took place in 1919. Consisting of tw

o squares and a park, the area is decorated with statues and fountains and surrounded by pine tre

es, meadows, and flowers. It has become the symbol of modern Qingdao.

Laoshan Scenic Area

The Laoshan Scenic Area was one of China’s first major scenic resorts to receive the approval of t

he State Council. It holds an important position in Qingdao’s tourism industry. The acceleration 

of its natural landscape development and improved access to its cultural facilities is an important 

component of the city’s Olympic endeavors. Major tourist spots include the Laoshan Kangcheng 

Academy, the Jufeng Scenic Area and Nine Waters& Eighteen Pools.

Welcome to Qingdao!