One
of the first reasons for a visit to this part of Shandong would be for
the numerous and impressive beaches
that run along the coast. In total Qingdao has 6 beaches, of various
size, cleanliness and attraction, including what is claimed to be the
largest bathing beach in Asia, the Number One Beach.
The beaches are good for China, fairly
clean (without a close inspection of the water) and not overly full,
except in peak season and during National holidays.
For those of a more active disposition
just a short bus ride from Qingdao lies Laoshan, since ancient times
known as "Home of the Immortals". Bordering the sea, this
mountain is famed for its peak spires, piled ridges, amazing rocks and
deep gullies. The mountain is also a favorite Taoist sanctuary and a
proliferation of Taoist inscriptions and temples are scattered about.
The Taiqing
Palace, a Song Dynasty monastery, is perhaps the
oldest and most impressive of these sights.
With trees making pleasant shadows, and
flowers in bloom, Ba
Da Guan (The Eight Passes Area) is one of the best places to view
ˇ°the red tiles, green trees, blue mountains and watersˇ± that are
popularly quoted in Qingdao. This area is a gathering place of many
different types of architecture, with styles from Russia, England,
France, Germany, America, Japan and Denmark. The streets here are all
named after famous passes in China, with each one lined with a
different flower.
The Sakura are a specialty of Zhongshan
Park. It is said that, outside of Japan, Qingdao is the best place to
see the luxuriantly blossoming Sakura, the best time to visit being
April. This is the largest of the Qingdao parks and well worth a days
visit.
Of the numerous other scenic spots, the Small
Qingdao Island and the Pier (Jianqiao Bridge), the symbol of Qingdao, are definitely worth a
visit. There are also numerous other parks and two old, somewhat
renovated churches. A couple of mediocre museums could interest
enthusiasts.
