The most famous and representative building in the Badaguan area is the Huashi Villa, located at No. 18 Huanghai Road. It is a European-style castle with facade decorated with round and polygonal patterns and cobblestones, featuring granite-covered exterior and interior walls. Several celebrated historical figures once called the structure home, including Chiang Kai-shek and Chen Yi.

Badaguan’s unparalleled fairytale ambience created by the diverse exotic buildings even attracts many couples to use it as the backdrop for their wedding pictures.

Beach and Beer

The Zhan Bridge, a symbol of Qingdao, lies at the southernmost end of Zhongshan Road. Facing Qingdao Bay, it was constructed in 1892 as a military dock during the Qing Dynasty. After reconstruction in 1931, it was expanded from 220 to 440 meters in length and 10 meters in width. It stretches into the sea, and at the end is a traditional Chinese pavilion with double upturned eaves, which stands out against the European buildings on the shore. Near Zhan Bridge lies Lute Islet. In the 1940s, a dyke was constructed to link the islet with the mainland. When night falls, the islet’s lighthouse glows to guide ships into the harbor, causing locals to dub the sight as “Light Floating on Lute Islet.”

Qingdao boasts a lengthy coastline, but walking along it seldom causes boredom because of the abundance of scenery. Tourists often enjoy meeting elderly locals who chat leisurely next to fishing poles along the shore.

Of course, the city features many swimming beaches, which rival China’s top coastal resorts of Hainan Province in terms of water and sand quality. In summer, the sight of residents and visitors across town wearing only bathing suits is not uncommon, as they cross the streets to reach the beach. Because the beaches are usually crowded, many people change suits at home or in hotels before walking to the beach. The more conservative will sometimes cover up with a jacket during the trip.

Many foreigners may not know the city of Qingdao, but often guzzle Tsingtao Beer. The German colonists of a century ago brought with them genuine Munich brewing techniques, which stirred up beer fever throughout China.

Most beer is sold in traditional bottles, but buyers can also find bulk beer sold by weight. It is frequent to see someone carrying a plastic bag of beer in the streets of Qingdao. Since the 1930s, beer drinking has become an inextricable part of everyday life for many Qingdao locals. Since Tsingtao Beer has become a world-famous brand, the city has earned a reputation as China’s “beer capital.” Though today there are many breweries throughout China producing Tsingtao Beer, enthusiasts insist that the best beer comes only from the original city because brewers use mineral water from nearby Laoshan Mountain.

In Qingdao, beer often washes down seafood. Clams, which locals call “gala,” are common on tables because of their affordable prices. Residents claim that their indigenous clams contain less sand and taste more delicious than those produced elsewhere. Additionally, razor clams, crabs, prawns and sea cucumbers also go great with beer. They are cooked in Qingdao style, which is a branch of Shandong cuisine. Qingdao residents will be the first to tell you that on a summer night, it is delightful relaxation to swig sour, bubbly beer while enjoying the coolness brought by the sea breeze.