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A weekend in Qingdao

By Mariah Breeze: 0 Comment(s)Print E-mail China.org.cn, July 8, 2016

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Local seafood restaurant in Qingdao.

Food Break

If you need a bite to eat while touring the city, make a stop at one of the local seafood restaurants. Like many other coastal cities, Qingdao is known for its fabulous seafood. At most restaurants, customers have the luxury of picking out their cuisine – likely pulled from the sea earlier the same day – directly from a tank. When browsing the streets in the morning, it's not uncommon to see large vans unloading fresh fish from the dock and dumping them into large tanks outside of the restaurants. There is a wide variety of different fish and an even wider variety of ways to prepare them!

Fourth Activity

If you enjoy spending time near the sea, you can finish your day with a stroll on the Zhanqiao Pier. The pier, built in the 18th century, is 8 meters wide and 440 meters long. Along the pier, there are places where you can rent a jet ski or take a ride in a speed boat. On both sides of the pier, kids can be seen in the water enjoying the waves and picking up seaweed. The Zhanqiao Pier and its surroundings are a perfect spots for families and couples to hang out!

Picture taken along the residential areas of Laoshan Mountain.

Day 2: First Activity

Day two of this weekend vacation should start early in the morning so you can find your way to bus 304 and head to Laoshan Scenic area. After an hour long bus ride you will be dropped off at the entrance of a beautiful mountainous area along the coast. For 130 yuan you can enter any part of the mountain; this fee also includes shuttle bus rides to the different scenic spots inside the Laoshan Mountain area. The scenic spot with the best view is about a forty minute bus ride, and during the ride you can get a glimpse of the lives of the locals: women working in the beautiful row gardens, men doing construction on the side of the road, kids riding scooters and bikes along the drive ways and beaches filled with families soaking up the sun! The view of mountains, beaches, blue water and huge rocks is like a photo out of National Geographic. This activity will take up most of the day. It's important to wear comfortable shoes to hike along the different paths where you can witness the amazing views that the mountain has to offer.

Second Activity: Beer Street

After a long day at Laoshan Mountain enjoy a fun, relaxing night on Beer Street, sampling different local beers and mingling with the locals and other visitors. The street lights up at night and most of the bars have a huge variety of beers on tap, perfect for the traveler who misses American or European breweries!