Ba Da Guan Scenic Area

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.

Small Qingdao Island

Located to the southeast of Zhanqiao Bridge, Xiaoqingdao Island is a pleasant little peninsular. Viewed from the sky, the island is shaped like an ancient lute, and hence is also called Lute Island. The island has a little park, a few small cafes and a white lighthouse. We will take a boat to view the Huilangge Pavilion, the rusting submarine and destroyer of the Naval Museum, and, if the weather is right, the nearby Yellow Island (Huangdao) nestling in mists. The island is dotted with black pines and flowers such as oriental cherries, green peaches, pomegranates, and  roses of Sharon.

Zhanqiao Bridge

Anyone who has been to Qingdao, or checked her beer labels, will not fail to recall Zhanqiao Pier (zhanqiao), the symbol of the city. This is an obvious destination for anyone wishing to complete their Qingdao experience. The views from here contrast sharply with the towering modern buildings looking down upon the old German Concession area, with its church peaks and parks, and with its red clay tiles interrupted by dark green pines.
At full tide, the billowy surf rolls against the beach, the breakers sending up a fountain of spray. With the ebbing of the tide, appear the brown reefs and yellowish sand, a time for tourists and locals to gather conches and other seashells.

Mount. Laoshan

Laoshan has since ancient times been 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.

Taiqing Palace (Taoist Temple)

Taiqing Palace (Taiqing gong), the largest, oldest and most impressive of the temples in Laoshan, lies to the southeast of the mountain and faces the sea. Altogether, the palace houses 140 rooms and halls including the most famous Three God's Hall, Three Purities' Hall and Three Emperor's Hall. The palace was first built during the reign of the first Emperor of the Northern Song Dynasty about 1000 years ago and underwent complete rebuilding during the Ming Dynasty, some 500 hundred years later. In front of the Three Purities' Hall is a pool with clear blue water, which was named "Shengshui Spring" ("Magical Spring") by the Taoists who lived in the Temple. It is said that the spring will never dry up. Embedded in a wall nearby are religious inscriptions on a tablet, which was written by Kublai Khan (the first Emperor of Yuan Dynasty) and the Jinhufuwen (Gold Tiger Magic Figures) issued by Genghis Khan.On a giant stone located to the east side of the Palace four big words are engraved, "Bo Hai Can Tian" (the waves reach to the sky), below which a famous line of small words reads, "a visit here on the 28th year of the period of the first emperor of China".Every moonlight night, the water and the sky here blend into one, forming a breathtaking view.

The Beaches
There are altogether 6 beaches in the Qingdao area and almost all are worth a visit (for varying reasons.) The No.1 Beach (diyi yuchang) is perhaps the best of the lot, although it is often packed out. It is the longest of the beaches, around 580 meters long, and, like most of the others, covered in fine yellow sand. The beach has some interesting features: a view of the distant Huiquan cape, with the waves lapping its red reefs, the nearby Luxun park, with its shade-providing pines and cypresses, and  its weird, round changing huts.

For the more claustrophobic, No.2 (Dier yuchang) and No.3 (Disan yuchang) Beaches are probably a safer option; they are smaller, but less crowded. The No.3 beach, especially, has charm, with kite fliers and lovers scattered about. At the eastern end of the beach, on the hill, is the Huashi Lou, a former German governor's residence built in 1905, with fantastic architecture and decent views of the surrounding area.

The No. 6 Beach (Diliu yuchang), despite its popularity, is not really worth visiting for its beauty. It is mainly rockpools and dirty grayish sand. In the early morning the beach is filled with a  profusion of tai ji practitioners, 70s tracksuit wearing joggers and fishermen. The walkway zhanqiao and attached Huilan Pavilion (Huilange), the symbol of Qingdao (and its beer), are essential tourist destinations, although often packed with touts, vendors and visitors.

Mount Qingdao Cannon / Battery Fort is the only relic in Asia for the First World War

Yingbin Lou, the former residence of German governor.

Qingdao Beer Brewery (Factory) (includes a museum with German stuff, and fresh beer available for a try)