Qingdao is the fourth largest port city in China and famous for it’s beer “Tsingdao.” The “Q” in Chinese makes a “ch” noise. This city is considered the Switzerland of China. While I’m pretty sure that’s a stretch, there is some interesting German architecture in select areas. We stayed with a great couchsurfing couple and this city served as a good starting point for China.

What we Learned

1. The beach side is absolutely shut down during the winter. You won’t find any food.

 

2. Carrefour is an excellent French supermarket that has an amazing selection.

 

3. Pabst Blue Ribbon is sold in bottles and cans in China (Whoa!)

 

4. Tsingdao beer is excellent and cheap.

 

5. There is a new  indoor shopping/restaurant area not far from the Tsingdao factory that is artistically beautiful and would be great for children.

 

6. Tsingdao beer is sold in plastic bags directly from the factory to the locals. They get an unfiltered version that is much different than the bottled one.

 

7. Don’t get into any taxi that doesn’t have a meter. You will get overcharged.

 

8. Internet access isn’t easy to get.

 

9 Find a good seafood restaurant for an amazing value and meal.

 

10. Crab is out of season in the winter.

 

11. Check out a kebob restaurant for local oddities like worm-looking sea creatures, chicken knees, and cow spine marrow with spices. They bring around kebobs, you tell them how many you want. They count the how many spikes you have to calculate your bill.

 

12. Even though this is a “clean” city by Chinese standards, the pollution was still worse than a normal day in Seoul.