I had the opportunity to go on a fam trip with NokScoot Airlines as a media representative to launch a new direct flight route to Qingdao, China.

Qingdao is a city with a European atmosphere... Under the rule of the German Empire for more than ten years, German-style houses are still found throughout Qingdao.

Qingdao is a city of beer... Tsingtao beer is one of the top 3 beers in the world.

Qingdao cuisine ... Qingdao cuisine, or Lu cuisine, is one of the top four Chinese cuisines.

Qingdao is located in Shandong Province and is divided into 12 districts. Almost all the attractions in this review are located in Shinan District, the center of Qingdao's development.

Image credit: http://www.echinaexpat.com/China ... Map-of-Qingdao.aspx

10 Tourist Attractions and 5 Restaurants in Qingdao, the New Slow Life City with a European Flair

Top 10 Tourist Attractions

1. Zhan Shan Temple ... A Zen Mahayana temple, the only Chinese temple in Qingdao. Quiet and peaceful, a starting point for Slow life.
2. Former German Governor's Residence Museum ... European charm begins at this point.
3. Tsingtao Brewery ... Brewery, beer museum, beer street, world-class beer city, exporting to 80 countries worldwide.
4. Laoshan Mountain ... The highest peak among all coastal mountains in China, and the center of origin of Taoism.
5. Lingding Scenic Area ... The sea level is 0, and the height of mountains in China is referenced from this point.
6. May Fourth Square ... The Wind of May, a symbol of the movement demanding freedom from Germany, an important landmark in Qingdao.
7. Xiaowushan Hill Scenic Area ... A high-angle view of the European city and the beautiful seaside can be seen from here.
8. Zhanqiao Ancient Bridge ... A 125-year-old Qing Dynasty ancient bridge extending into the sea.
9. Eight Streets District, Pata Guan ... The original residential area of ​​Germans, walking in the Pata Guan area is like strolling in Europe.
10. St. Michael's Catholic Church ... An old Roman Catholic church on a small hill in the old German residential area.

All of these are just 10 out of 100 attractions scattered across the 12 districts of Qingdao.

At Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) Terminal 1 in the afternoon
DMK-TAO Don Mueang-Qingdao flight, which has one flight per day, departs around 2 pm every day except Thursday and Saturday.

The flight is approximately 4-5 hours.
China has one time zone for the entire country, which is 1 hour ahead of Thailand. As soon as the plane takes off and reaches its cruising altitude, all devices are adjusted to the new time zone, including watches, cameras, mobile phones, etc.

The latest in-flight magazine, which is inserted in front of the seat, has stories about China, including Qingdao. I read a brief introduction to Qingdao. // On this passenger level, there is a power outlet for charging various batteries under the armrest.

Qingdao
青岛
https://goo.gl/fgIiKK

Good morning Qingdao. We arrived last night and continued on to Jimo district. We found a newly opened hotel, which just opened a few weeks ago. It's a 5-star hotel by the sea.
The distance from Liuting International Airport to this hotel is 40 kilometers.
Grand Mercure Qingtao Nanshan Resort in Accor group
GPS: 36°25'18.1"N 120°42'48.4"E
Link map >> https://goo.gl/sgiML2
Link hotel website >> http://goo.gl/lSLrKj
Album of all 43 hotel photos, I made a separate page on https://goo.gl/tNZKwF

The hotel building is designed with a single corridor room type, which means that all rooms face the sea and have a sea view. The view from the balcony of each room is of Aoshan Bay, the East China Sea, and the Korean Peninsula in the distance.

The location is adjacent to the Qingdao International Expo Center, a large international exhibition center. There are small islands in the shape of a crescent moon blocking the waves of the sea. If you face the sea directly in this direction (southeast), you will reach the shore again at Jeju Island, the southernmost tip of South Korea.

Get ready to head into town after filling your stomach with the hotel's breakfast.

The journey from Jimo to Shinan, the heart of Qingdao, was smooth sailing.

The distance from the hotel to the city center of Chingtu is 50-60 kilometers. Most of the journey is on the expressway, taking almost an hour.

The graph shows the average annual temperature of Qingdao. The winter is slightly below zero with snow, and the summer is not more than twenty degrees. It's just like the temperature of our air conditioner at home. For this trip, we came in early March, the temperature was slightly above 0, and there was still light snow three or four days before we arrived.

And here is a map of all 10 tourist spots on this trip of ours. Let's go!

**Stop 1: Zhanshan Temple**
GPS: 36.064632, 120.358798
Google Maps: Earth view >> https://goo.gl/9ZUspC
Google Maps: Map view >> https://goo.gl/qlP68M
A temple! Yes, you read that right. Some people might not enjoy visiting temples, but when you're in China, it's almost impossible to avoid them. And here we are, starting our trip with a visit to a temple. Well, since this is the only temple in Shinan, let's just stop by to pay our respects and pray for good luck. As soon as we entered the temple, the sound of our Thai conversation, with its unique accent, caught the attention of a local. He approached us with a smile and asked where we were from. I can speak and understand a little Chinese, so I replied, "Wo shi tai guo lai de." Throughout the trip, I encountered a few people who asked me the same question. And thanks to our guide, I finally understood why. We had the honor of having a "honorary guide," a former contestant from the 2007 "Fan Pan Tueng Tae Pla Din Mangkorn" (a Thai trivia game show about China), who provided us with valuable insights.

I must say that this temple exceeded my expectations. I expected to encounter crowds of people in every city in eastern China, but our first stop was almost deserted. There were only a few people around, which made it feel peaceful. The cool air also added to the pleasant atmosphere. And finally, just by visiting this first place, the charm of the trip suddenly emerged. A sense of slow life was born at that very moment.

Villagers walked in a single file, chanting after the monk in a large circle around the wide courtyard in front of the temple.

At the south of the Wat Chan San, there is a small lake or pond with a walking path around it. The water is full of carp.

The temple is surrounded by mountains on three sides, and opens to the sea on one side.

Tall, bare-branched deciduous trees, a symbol of winter, stand around the pond in front of the temple.

Located near the Wat Chan San temple, the first restaurant we stopped at was an authentic seafood restaurant known for its dumplings.

Chuang Ge Restaurant
Xuguang Road
GPS: 36.066217, 120.360552
Google Maps : Earth view >> https://goo.gl/YnIrv7
Google Mpas : map view >> https://goo.gl/LC2Eb9

The soy sauce is slightly darker than the Thai one, and the taste is milder. The food does not contain MSG.

Northern Chinese consider dumplings to be a lucky food.
Harbin dumplings are famous for their emphasis on pork and mutton, but the coastal city of Qingdao has different dumplings. Here, the dumplings focus on seafood.
In particular, the dumplings at Chuange Restaurant are a real challenge. They come in many colors and fillings, and they are very generous. The guide said that no group he has brought here has ever finished them all.

Stop 2
Qingdao German Zongdulou Former Site
GPS: 36.064692, 120.327801
Google Maps : Earth view >> https://goo.gl/RRqnJF
Google Mpas : map view >> https://goo.gl/ZB5qlT

Let's start by looking at the German atmosphere here.

The castle-like building, the former German government office in Qingdao, was designed by German architects in 1905 and completed in 1908. It is a four-story European-style castle building. The exterior is made of special Qingdao granite from Laoshan Mountain. The roof is red. Photography is prohibited inside! Oh! Well, since I couldn't take pictures, I just walked around and looked. The interior shows what it was like when it was still a German office. There were many interesting things, such as the chandelier on the ceiling in one of the halls. It weighs a ton but hangs securely. I still don't understand how it hangs!

If you are with a guide, ask them to explain the meaning of the things you see on these roofs.

And to the north of this German house, there is a public park, Signal Mountain Park, which is nice to walk around. If you have time, try to slow life down there.

This is a picture of a large beer tank. It looks like an oil depot. The guide said that someone once calculated that if one person drank a tank of beer, it would take them a thousand years to finish it.

Tourist Spot 3: Tsingtao Beer Museum

GPS: 36.078827, 120.341389

Google Maps:

• Earth view: https://goo.gl/pdg8pG
• Map view: https://goo.gl/jcTLSm

And here I am, at my dream destination! I have to say, this was the main reason I didn't hesitate to join this trip. Beer is my favorite drink, and my ears perked up when I heard that Qingdao is a world-famous beer city.

//I stood looking at the beer display case... Where's our Thai beer? I can't see it, but I can see Heineken and Korean beer in this case.

Tsingtao Beer is ranked among the Top 3 beers in the world
Tsingtao is the second largest brewery in China, the first being the brewery in Harbin.

The Qingdao Brewery has 70 locations across the country and exports to 80 countries worldwide.
At the Qingdao Brewery, a section of the building has been set aside as a museum to showcase the history and brewing process.

Beer on the conveyor belt is packed and ready for the distribution process.

Qingdao beer produced in different cities will have slightly different tastes. The best-tasting Qingdao beer must be produced from this city, using mineral water from Laoshan Mountain.
Here, beer is taxed at the same rate as carbonated water, with an emphasis on light beer and draft beer.
The best beer is produced in breweries numbered 1 and 6, using barley from Canada and Australia.

Can I kiss you, Beer? Smooch smooch, haha

Outside the Qingdao Brewery, Beer Street is lined with beer bars, bustling with activity as the sun sets and the lights illuminate the street. It transforms into a lively drinking and dining destination, and naturally, almost all the beer served is Qingdao beer, brewed right next door.

After a while of strolling in the cold wind, we couldn't take it anymore. The colder it got, the windier it became. Brrr, it was bone-chilling.

// A souvenir with my picture printed on a Tsingtao beer bottle. I'm smiling brightly, I love it so much! I'm taking it home with me.

Food Stop 2:

Tsingtao Beer Bar

Perfect for a delicious dinner in the heart of Beer Street!

Address: 56 Dengzhou Rd, Shibei, Qingdao

GPS Coordinates: 36.079247, 120.343676

Google Maps:

• Earth view: https://goo.gl/Dk59my
• Map view: https://goo.gl/Yggj4j

The Beer Street area has many great places to eat and drink, but we chose to drink and eat at the Tsingtao Beer-Bar
of the Qingdao Brewery itself. This meal was a full-fledged dinner, accompanied by a world-class beer-drinking atmosphere.

Attraction 4
Laoshan Mountain
GPS: 36.132182, 120.582468 (Coordinates for the mountain cable car station)
Google Maps : Earth view >> https://goo.gl/089F2O
Google Mpas : map view >> https://goo.gl/dZH1Io
This morning, I was determined to visit another highlight of the trip, the most natural destination of the trip, Laoshan Mountain. The highest mountain (1,133 meters) among all the mountains along the Chinese coastline, located in Laoshan District, the only attraction among the 10 attractions in this review that is located outside Shinan District.

Anyone who brings their own car must park it in the parking lot, which is very large and spacious. This shows that it is one of the most popular tourist destinations. During the high season, it is likely to be full of people from all over the world. But today, we still hardly see anyone. It is so quiet and peaceful that it makes you want to slow down and enjoy the moment. Everything in Khlong Chak is so quiet.

service bus station We bought tickets and used the service bus here to continue our journey to Khao Lae San.
Keep your tickets safe, everyone! Don't lose them!

Conch Shell Memorial I didn't hear the guide in time, I don't know the history, I apologize here, but this is the first stop. There is a giant conch shell here, and if you look back, it will be a scenic spot by the sea.

The Sierra Nevada mountains are made of granite and marble. Everywhere you look, the mountains are just rock, rock, and more rock, just like you see here. And then there's the green of the trees, which they say are very old.

The large stone pillars in front of Tiananmen Square in Beijing were also quarried from here.
Even Tsingtao beer relies on the high-quality mineral water from the source at Mount Laoshan.

The sky is not clear, the fog covers the sea, the whole mountain is swallowed by the fog. It is not smog, the nose can still feel the freshness, the ozone is full of pores, and the road to Mount Leozan follows the scenic route along the sea.

After a short drive, the bus stopped and everyone got off to enjoy a short 300-meter walk along the beach, taking in the beautiful scenery.

All trees shed their leaves except for the pine trees that stand alone, green and lush.

At the end of the path, we arrived at another (very) large open space with a panoramic view. According to our itinerary, we were supposed to get back on the bus and continue on to see "Pasuihe", the point where 8 small rivers converge into one before flowing into the sea. However, the guide came to tell us that he had just inquired with the staff here and learned that the water is currently dry, so this program will be cancelled. Ugh, missed it. Boo hoo.

Taiqing Palace

GPS: 36.138474, 120.671789

Google Maps:

• Earth view: https://goo.gl/wFW2ZX
• Map view: https://goo.gl/XaHc3f

If you're looking for a guaranteed escape from the elements, Taiqing Palace is the place to be.

Here is the translation:

This is the birthplace and dissemination of Taoism, Taiqinggong Temple, or the Three Dukes Temple, which consists of three main temples: Sangong Temple, Sanhuang Temple, and Sanqing Temple, all of which were built during the Northern Song Dynasty, over a thousand years old.

The trees are said to be hundreds or even thousands of years old, and they surround the palace, making for a beautiful and unusual sight.

The area also features stone carvings of important Taoist sages.

Spot 3
Eat fresh seafood
94-132 Jiushui E rd, near Licun River Bridge
GPS: 36.162361, 120.441348
Google Maps : Earth view >> https://goo.gl/vxkX9M
Google Mpas : map view >> https://goo.gl/aKxRND

Here's the location of the restaurant. If you're looking for something unique, don't miss this place. Live seafood is served on the stove. // I felt sorry for them. I also took a video, but I didn't dare to post it. But if you're interested, you can click on my Facebook to see it. Honestly, after I posted it, my friends commented that I was so cruel and heartless that I could eat it. Y Y // I was wrong. Here's the link >> https://goo.gl/y0PbYr and another clip >>https://goo.gl/OIqC7H The restaurant is located in this alley with a parking lot. Walk to the end of the building. I don't know the name of the restaurant, but look for the symbol of two fish on the iron bars with a pile of stones as shown in the picture.

Attraction 5
Lingtian Viewpoint
View the water level 0 at Qingdao Yinhai International Yacht club
GPS: 36.055173, 120.417500
Google Maps : Earth view >> https://goo.gl/ldvL6G
Google Mpas : map view >> https://goo.gl/nKmkto

This pin is located at Qingdao Yinhai International Yacht Club, a marina for yachts.
Enjoy the beautiful scenery of yachts, the curved red bridge that looks like a bridge stretching across heaven, the large statue of Guanyin, and also a statue of a Westerner, who may be the great navigator Columbus.

And this is another place The Must that I really wanted to come to // I love playing GPS and being able to compare the altitude from my GPS receiver with the sea level marker at 0 is something that is super cool // I'm just kidding, haha

Translation:

Point of Interest 6

May Fourth Square (Wusi Square)

The Wind of May

GPS: 36.061179, 120.380077

Google Maps: Earth view >> https://goo.gl/2y5rDO

Google Maps: map view >> https://goo.gl/KP8yzY

A major landmark in Qingdao, May Fourth Square is a symbol of the movement that fought for independence from the German Empire. The incident occurred on May 4, 1919, in front of Fushan Bay.

The resplendent red whirlwind sculpture of May
The Wind of May

This is a large seaside park on the edge of Fushan Bay. Nearby is the Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center, which was used for sailing competitions in the Olympics, but we didn't stop by to see it, we could only see it from afar.
The cityscape here is very beautiful, with the downtown area of Qingdao as a skyline, as beautiful as a Western city.

Eating Spot 4
Jingfugong South Korean Cuisine
A Korean restaurant run by Chinese chefs that I think is better than eating in Korea
Hongkong W Rd.
GPS: 36.057264, 120.363057
Google Maps : Earth view >> https://goo.gl/eLyKVi
Google Mpas : map view >> https://goo.gl/zVFsU8
When I went to Korea, I didn't eat Korean food very often. When I realized I had to go to a Korean restaurant again, I groaned. But they told me to try it, saying that the Korean food here was extraordinary. As soon as I tried it, I was hooked. //I don't know if it was the Tsingtao beer that helped enhance the flavor. //Does it matter!

Attraction 7
European-style mountain view
Xiaoyushan Park (South Gate)
小鱼山 公园(南门)
GPS: 36.058842, 120.331059
Google Maps : Earth view >> https://goo.gl/sud5LX
Google Mpas : map view >> https://goo.gl/ZVpfq7

It's time to experience the real German, with red roofs everywhere.

This is one of the four hills in Shinan that offers a panoramic view of the beautiful beaches, which are said to be among the best in the world. Qingdao has 6 beaches (this information is likely specific to the Shinan District //guess).
The viewing platform on top of the hill is designed with Chinese architecture, which contrasts sharply with the surrounding views.

The wind was very strong and the fog was extremely thick. It blew around like floating clouds, which it probably was. The low-lying clouds were another moment of shivering cold. We barely had time to shrink our necks, cover our ears, wrap our heads, and put on gloves.

A street vendor selling fresh strawberries at the foot of the scenic viewpoint. The strawberries are fresh, delicious, and juicy, and the price! It doesn't seem expensive. I snatched a bite from my friend and forgot to ask the price.

The fog was so thick that we couldn't see the sea view at all. We waited and waited, but the sky didn't clear. We had to move on to another place. T T

Attraction 8
Zhan Bridge
GPS: 36.060115, 120.314722
Google Maps : Earth view >> https://goo.gl/UGd7VT
Google Mpas : map view >> https://goo.gl/DwPdMF

This is an ancient bridge from the Qing Dynasty, built in 1891.
It is 440 meters long and 10 meters wide.
When we arrived, the guide pointed to the bridge over there. Where! I can't see it. The fog is so thick that it has swallowed the bridge completely. We have to wait for the fog to clear for a moment before we can take a picture.

This bridge stretches across Qingdao Bay, with a seaside park on the shore. It's another great spot for a leisurely stroll and a slow-paced lifestyle // if you can handle the cold.

From the middle of the bridge, looking back to the shore, the European and Chinese architecture is beautiful, and sometimes it is clearly visible, but it disappears into the fog and clouds of the whole city!

Houses along the road leading to the Zhanqiao Bridge

Translation:

Point 9
Stroll along the eight streets of Patakwan
Parking coordinates N36° 03.064' E120° 20.583'
Google Maps : Earth view >> https://goo.gl/tyskcT
Google Mpas : map view >> https://goo.gl/uOrWMB

This area consists of 8 streets lined with trees that bear flowers of different beautiful colors. But! This is winter, so the leaves are not yet visible. I am confident that the high season for this city is in two periods: late spring and early autumn, which is around June and October. In particular, I would really like to have the opportunity to come back in October or November. At that time, the 8 streets would probably become season fall streets with colorful leaves, which would be as beautiful as walking in a European city at a much cheaper price. And if any couple walks hand in hand here, I guarantee the romance. I envy you in advance... Hehe.

Tourist Spot 10

St. Michael's Catholic Church

15 Zhejiang Rd, Shinan, Qingdao

GPS: 36.067979, 120.315602

Google Maps:

• Earth view: https://goo.gl/tI6feF
• Map view: https://goo.gl/4cSqxt

Located on a small hill in the old town of Shinan, this beautiful Roman Catholic church is a popular spot for pre-wedding photos among young couples from Qingdao.

Dining Spot 5
KaiHai Hongdaohaixian
Kaihai Red Island Seafood Shrimp Dumplings
2 Xinzhan Rd,Shinan, Qingdao
Farewell dinner
GPS: 36.058593, 120.363750
Google Maps : Earth view >> https://goo.gl/vQLJfj
Google Mpas : map view >> https://goo.gl/cZecpz

Kaihai, which translates to "Open Sea," features a logo with three red drops of water, resembling saliva. Our guide informed us that this restaurant typically does not cater to tour groups, suggesting it's a favorite among locals, businesspeople, or small tourist groups. However, this final meal served as a fitting conclusion, confirming that Lu cuisine, or Qingdao cuisine, deserves its place among the Top 4 culinary styles in China. Every meal was simply delicious.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all my friends who have visited my blog.
I would also like to thank NokScoot Airlines for organizing the fam trip and inviting me to experience Qingdao, a European-style tourist city.
Although it was only a superficial first impression, after reading more about it, I realized that there are many more interesting places to visit in the 12 districts of Qingdao.

China has internet censorship, especially for Facebook, Line and Google. If you need to use them, it is recommended to use a VPN service.
Examples of providers and how to use them: http://tech.mthai.com/tips-technic/44850.html
The VPN I use is www.bullvpn.com

China's electricity is 220 volts. There are two-pin plugs like those used in Thailand, as well as many three-pin plugs with angled prongs.

The yuan exchange rate when I went was 1 yuan = 5.6 baht.

Pickpockets using chopsticks
Don't put your wallet, mobile phone, or valuables in your back pocket, where they can be easily snatched. It's better to put them in the inside pocket of your jacket.

The streets are very empty at night.
No cars cross the zebra crossing, no matter how deserted the road is, because there are cameras and the fines are very heavy.

Qingdao people are known for their easygoing nature, good humor, and friendly smiles. Their driving habits reflect this, as they tend to be calm and patient on the roads.

At Chinese Immigration:
All types of batteries must be carried on your person. Most importantly, power banks must not only be carried on your person, but also have their capacity information displayed. If they do not, they will be confiscated without exception.
All liquids, regardless of quantity, must be checked in. Lighters, if carried, must be disposed of. They cannot be checked in or carried on board. The fine for violating this rule is 2,000 yuan.

If you are interested in seeing the full pictures, I have compiled them into an album on the page https://goo.gl/eDgahk

See you on the next trip! // Everyone who commented is so lovely \^O^/