Just got back from Qingdao, here’s some blunt truth
🌊 Qingdao June Travel Guide: A Summer Rhapsody of Red Tiles, Green Trees, and Waves
Qingdao, a city kissed by the sea breeze, where red-tiled roofs hide German-style romance, the plane tree leaves in Badaguan rustle softly, and bubbles of youth rise in the beer foam✨. Come to Qingdao in June, bask in the gentle 25℃ sunshine by day, listen to the waves and drink bagged beer by night—this is what summer should feel like~
🚗【Two-Day Fun Itinerary】
Day 1: Old Town Stroll × Artsy Adventure
🌅 Morning: Rush to the Zhanqiao Pier to feed the seagulls (free!)🌊, before 9 AM it’s less crowded with soft light, perfect for photos with a natural filter! Then wander to the Catholic Church (10 RMB entrance), where the bubble machine and ice cream cart in the square feel like a fairy tale🍦.
☀️ Noon: Eat spicy stir-fried clams and mackerel dumplings at Jiulong Restaurant on Zhongshan Road 🥟, the clams are so fresh your tongue will dance! Stop by Silver Fish Alley, the vintage shops and rainbow walls are endless photo ops📸.
🌙 Evening: Watch the light show at May Fourth Square (free! starts at 7:30 PM), the sound of waves paired with neon lights is pure romance! For late-night snacks, head to Taidong Night Market, you must try grilled starfish and beer milk tea🍻!
Day 2: Mountain & Sea Combo × Ultimate Healing
🌅 Morning: Watch the sunrise at Xiaomai Island Park (free!)🌅, the lawn plus waves = a social media hit! Take a taxi to Laoshan Yangkou Scenic Area (90 RMB entrance), enjoy the sea and sky view from the cable car, hiking? Not happening~
☀️ Noon: Have a farmhouse feast at Qingshan Fishing Village at the mountain foot, wild vegetable buns and stewed mixed fish are so fresh they’ll make your eyebrows raise🐟! After lunch, stroll around Taiqing Palace, the millennia-old trees and the tea aroma from Taoist priests are super soothing🍃.
🌙 Evening: Take a sailboat out to sea from Olympic Sailing Center (night cruise 80 RMB), screamed so loud when the boat tilted the neighbors probably heard! Dinner at Chuange Fish Dumplings, the squid dumplings are shiny black and insanely fresh🖤!
🌟【Must-Visit Checklist】
1️⃣ Badaguan Scenic Area (free): Taking photos at the Princess House feels like being in Europe, cycling along the tree-lined paths is so healing~Inside the park, Huashi Building (8.5 RMB entrance) overlooks the Second Beach🌴.
2️⃣ Xiaomai Island Park (free): The wooden boardwalk at sunset looks like a movie scene, bring a bouquet of sunflowers for stunning photos🌻.
3️⃣ Qingdao Beer Museum (60 RMB entrance): Drink original brew beer with beer beans, watching the production line while tipsy is super cool🍺!
4️⃣ Shilaoren Beach (free): Watch the sunrise at 4 AM, the cool seawater is super relaxing, don’t forget your slippers!
5️⃣ University Road Instagram Wall (free): Red walls + coffee shops = artsy overload, next door at Huzi Planet Ice Cream the jasmine green grape flavor is amazing🍧!
🏨【Where to Stay Without Regret】
Recommended: Holiday Villa Garden Mansion by Tuiwa (Guantao Road, Shinan District), a century-old German-style villa renovation, terrace views of the church spire⛪️, shrimp wonton breakfast so good I ate three bowls! For budget travelers, choose a hostel near Qingdao Railway Station, about 80 RMB per person and you can still join a seafood feast🦞~
🚌【Transportation Tips】
Buses are super convenient! Route 316 goes straight to Badaguan, and Metro Line 3 connects Zhanqiao Pier and May Fourth Square. But! To Laoshan, definitely take a taxi, transferring buses will make you question life (don’t ask how I know😭).
💡【Tips: Hard-Learned Lessons】
✅ Come! June is packed with music festivals and beach volleyball tournaments, you might even bump into celebrities by the sea✨!
❌ Avoid! If you hate crowds, skip weekends; typhoon days bring winds so strong it feels like getting slapped🌪️.
🍴【5 Must-Try Foods】
Spicy Stir-Fried Clams: Sauce with spicy flavor pairs perfectly with beer, the sound of sucking shells is addictive!
Seafood BBQ: Grilled abalone bursts with juice, garlic mixed with ocean flavor is amazing🔥.
Mackerel Dumplings: Fish meat so tender it’s like eating clouds, dipping in vinegar makes it even fresher!
Beer Ice Cream: Exclusive to the Beer Museum, slightly bitter with malt aroma🍨.
Sea Jelly Noodles: Transparent jelly-like with garlic vinegar, so refreshing you’ll want to pack a bucket!
💰【Two-Day Expense Summary】
Food: 450 RMB (night market + restaurants + coffee)
Accommodation: 600 RMB (one night in a guesthouse)
Activities: 250 RMB (tickets + sailing)
This spending… feels like every penny was well spent, especially the grilled squid at the night market, 20 RMB made me so happy I was flying🦑!
Qingdao’s summer smells like sea breeze mixed with hops, surprises around every corner with German old buildings, and youthful shouts on Shilaoren Beach at 4 AM🌊. Like and save this guide, and let’s dive into Qingdao’s blue dream together in June~