Introduction

Ensconced on the southern tip of the Shandong peninsula along the Yellow Sea, this city of almost seven million towers as the largest trading port in northern China. Yet, despite such an urban bulk it behaves in the confident manner of a tourist resort. Its rare mesh of mountains and sea combine with a fairytale beachfront setting of Bavarian architecture to conjure strange expectations of finding women dressed in bikinis and men in lederhosen while snacking on hot apple strudel with chopsticks. Regardless of how impossibly odd it sounds and seems, the bottom-line is that it cohesively works. Qingdao now averages more than 15 million tourists a year. Major four and five star hotel chains are now the norm rather than the exception. The 16 day International Beer Festival enjoys world recognition, and come 2008 Qingdao will serve as the host Summer Olympic city for the sailing and beach volleyball competitions. Yet, amazingly, all of this dazzle is new to the city.

Qingdao's first splash of fame occurred in 600 BC when the Chinese scholar, Lao-Tzu, parented Taoism in the nearby Laoshan Mountains. The area instantly became a great source of religious mystique, attracting scholars and monks, and people with money who built countless temples and pavilions on the mountain's steep, forested slopes. Meanwhile, 20 miles away in Qingdao, the city continued to innocuously expand from a small fishing village into a major shipping and manufacturing center.

In 1897, it jumped on the proverbial world map for all the wrong reasons when Germany moved in and claimed it as a concession area. Buildings were razed and replaced with Bavarian style architecture giving Qingdao the look of a ski village in the Black Forest. Despite local loathing, these buildings would eventually ripen from being symbols of occupation into landmark structures that would form the backbone of Qingdao's now booming tourist market.

After World War I, Japan moved in to Qingdao in 1919 only to be evicted in 1922. In 1938, they returned but finally received the boot once and for all in 1945 following defeat in World War II.

Qingdao would not springboard into its current "giant" status until 1984 when it was named by the Chinese government as one of 14 coastal cities to be declared open to foreign investors. It has since vaulted into the same international rank normally only enjoyed by Beijing and Shanghai.

The city is currently divided into seven urban districts:

Shinan Better known as downtown, this district sparkles as Qingdao's glamour center. All of the major hotels including the Qingdao Dongfang Hotel, the Haitian Hotel, the Crowne Plaza, and the five star Shangri-La Hotel freckle this area. Just about every major urban attraction glows within its boundaries as well. The Zhanqiao Pier, Little Qingdao Isle, and the famous Badaguan Scenic Area are just a few of its tourist magnets. Plus all of Qingdao's major beaches, including Beach Number One, can be found here as well. This is the district you need to know if arriving as a tourist.

Shibei Directly north of downtown along Jiaozhou Bay, this district is better known for industry. It contains most of Qingdao's major shipping piers.

Sifang Located north of Shibei, it too is low on tourist options. Industry reigns.

Licang Located farther up the peninsula, north of Sifang, it is home to the area's Peach Blossom Tourism Spot. It, obviously, caters to huge crowds during the spring blossom season. The Zhengzhuang Industrial Park can also be found here.

Chengyang Qingdao's most northern district is best known for its electronic, machinery, and chemical engineering industries.

Huangdao An island, located to the southwest of Qingdao, is also known for its industrial might. The Huangdao Wharf, one of the area's largest, is industrially legendary for accommodating 200,000-ton oil tankers.

Laoshan Situated to the southeast of downtown it harbors the magical Laoshan Mountains. Hiking trails are many, leading to the world famous Mount Taishan and towering Jufeng Peak. Lodging can be found at the coastal Golden Beach Hotel.