With its colonial, predominantly German, history Qingdao contains the architecture of many different European styles. Outside of the old German Concession, north of the railway station, most of this history is displayed in Badaguan, also known as the Huiquan area. Badaguan, literally the Eight Passes, is so named because eight of the roads here are named after China's most famous passes.
The area features Russian, English, French, German, and Danish constructions which are now mostly either large scale guesthouses or sanitariums.
Badaguan is a great area to stroll through, not only interesting for its tree lined avenues and proximity to the Number One Beach, but also for budding botanists; the roads here are also known after the flowers or trees that line them, for example, Shaoguan Lu is also called Green Peach Road, Ningwuguan Lu is called Crabapple Road, Zhengyangguan Lu is called Crab Myrtle Lu.
In recent years, a peach forest, flowering in spring, has been planted at the northeast corner of the area. While in the southwest corner lies the "the lovers' paradise", a place favored by lovers where the cypresses line both sides of the road.
How to get there: Take Bus No.201, 301, 304, 312, and 313 and get off at Beer Town station; It has also set up the bus of special railway line during Beer Festival.
Ticket Price: RMB60 during Beer Festival
-- To the
Top
Originally named St.Emil Church after construction was finished in 1934, the Catholic Church (Tianzhu jiaotang) is Qingdao's largest and most opulent church. After climbing the steep road off Zhongshan Lu, the 200ft twin spires rise majestically before you, claiming dominance over the surrounding buildings. The cool white interior is interestingly offset by garish pictures and life-size wax models of famous Christians, including a huge mural of a beatific Mary and some simple, tattily clothed Franciscans.
The area around this church is also well worth a wander, with old 30s German buildings mixed in with modern Chinese concrete. The cobbled streets leading up to the church are normally filled with local Muslim vendors selling their wares, the meat and octupi on stick look intriguing, and are worth tasting.
Opening hours for the Church are highly variable and out of season the place only seems to open on Sundays, but even without entrance this area is definitely good to visit. Access to the twin towers was blocked off for renovations at the time of writing, but it is always worth asking about. As with the nearby Protestant Church, services are normally held here every Sunday.
How to get there: Take bus No.301, 305, 320 to get there; or take bus No.1, 367 and get off at Hushui Rd. Terminal.
Cost: RMB8.
-- To the
Top
It is near the Badaguan villa region, smaller than the No.1 water world. In summer it is opened only for the staff as a bathroom.
However, in the other season people can relax themselves with the water visiting here.
Our great leader Chairman Mao and Deng Xiao ping once swam here. Nowadays here is the good place for holding the wedding ceremony and taking the wedding photos of the exterior sights.
Transportation: take No.214 and No.219 bus to Huiquan corner, then walk to the No.2 water world.
Cost: free of charge
-- To the
Top
The Qingdao Protestant Church (Jidu jiaotang), built in 1910, is one of Qingdao's quieter and more interesting sights. Although recently renovated this church still retains most of its original style and charm. Situated on a slight hill across from the Xinhaoshan park, the 39.10 meter tall bell tower and 18 meter high main hall, are easily missed on the winding roads leading up here.
The church is in typical Protestant style, the sandy yellow walls and clay red tiles contrasting well with the greyish buildings around this area.
Within, the church is spacious and austere and can hold between 300 and, aledgedly, thousands of congregation. The highlight of the church is the bell tower which houses an old German bell and clock face. The mechanism for the clock and the bell itself can be seen after a short climb up a steep flight of steps. If the bell tower is open, try and get to the top on the hour, when the mechanism and bell explode into action.
For those on for a bit more action the church apparently holds services on Sunday mornings. If not in time for this, one of the men on the door, who speaks passable English, will tell you when choir/carol practice will take place that week.
How to get there: Take the bus No.1, 214, 225 to get there.
Costs: RMB3; and RMB4 to go up the bell tower.
-- To the
Top
Located in East Donghai road of the east new region, Sea Park consists of 2 parts, which are ocean entertainment city and dolphin showing room.
It is established in 1996, and is the biggest one in China. You can enjoy a lot of exciting and interesting programmes here.
And now the dolphin show room is one of the most advanced group in Asian and a unique palace where dolphins live and give wonderful performance.
Transport: No.11 or No.317 bus can take you there.
Opening days and ticket price:
Ocean entertainment city:
Peak season (1st May-31st October): 9:00--16:00 everyday
Low season (1st December-30th April of next year): 9:00--16:00 each Saturday and Sunday
The sea world is only opened in summer. From Monday to Friday, you can only have a visit in the city with RMB5 for ticket, on Saturday or Sunday you should pay RMB15 to enjoy a happy day here or you can buy another ticket (RMB40) which is available for all the programmes.
Dolphin show room:
Time:
1st February-31st May two shows for each day, 11:00AM and 3:30PM
1stJune-31st October three shows for each day, 10:30AM, 1:30PM and 4:00PM
Ticket price:
peak season (1st May-31st October) RMB40
low season (1st December-30th April of next year) RMB30
half price for students
adult can take a child together of 1.2 meters height.
-- To the
Top
