Qingdao
Qingdao on the Shandong Peninsula has some of the best beaches in China, yet it is equally famous for its beer, TsingTao, a German-style beer that is famous the world over.
Traveling to Qingdao is like taking a trip to Germany, though a Germany with Chinese characteristics. In the 1900s, Qingdao was ruled by Germany, in particular the German navy. The Germans constructed buildings with the architectural style of their homeland and even put in cobblestone streets. Many of these buildings remain in the older part of the city.
The Japanese ousted the Germans in 1914 and ruled it for eight years until it was returned to China in 1922, though Japan reoccupied it in 1938.
Qingdao was an important navel base for the Germans, and today is an important navel base for the Chinese, and is home to the country‘s northern fleet. When I was there, I visited an outdoor museum near the base that was filled with weapons and tanks that kids enjoyed playing on.
Qingdao means “green island” in Chinese, and green it is. Considered one of the most livable cities in China, it has many beautiful parks.
The city is a great place to visit when you need to get away for awhile. Train service is excellent from Beijing, with expressways making the trip more feasible for motorists.
Qingdao is one city I plan to revisit on future trips to China.
Traveling to Qingdao is like taking a trip to Germany, though a Germany with Chinese characteristics. In the 1900s, Qingdao was ruled by Germany, in particular the German navy. The Germans constructed buildings with the architectural style of their homeland and even put in cobblestone streets. Many of these buildings remain in the older part of the city.
The Japanese ousted the Germans in 1914 and ruled it for eight years until it was returned to China in 1922, though Japan reoccupied it in 1938.
Qingdao was an important navel base for the Germans, and today is an important navel base for the Chinese, and is home to the country‘s northern fleet. When I was there, I visited an outdoor museum near the base that was filled with weapons and tanks that kids enjoyed playing on.
Qingdao means “green island” in Chinese, and green it is. Considered one of the most livable cities in China, it has many beautiful parks.
The city is a great place to visit when you need to get away for awhile. Train service is excellent from Beijing, with expressways making the trip more feasible for motorists.
Qingdao is one city I plan to revisit on future trips to China.
Contact Cheryl
Copyright 2012 by Cheryl Probst. All rights reserved.
Copyright 2012 by Cheryl Probst. All rights reserved.