Qingdao, which means "green island" in Chinese, aptly reflects the city's appearance. In the heart of Qingdao, modern skyscrapers adorned with steel and glass pierce the sky. At the city's periphery, high-rises give way to small houses and villas nestled amidst lush greenery. This remarkable city is situated 500 kilometers from Beijing and occupies the Jiaodong Peninsula. It gracefully descends from the mountains to the Qingdao Gulf on the Yellow Sea, with its coastline adorned by beaches where golden sands mix with shells.
The history of Qingdao is a complex one. From 1897 until World War II, it was under German rule, which left its mark on the city's street layout and introduced a brewery. Today, beer production and consumption have become an integral part of Qingdao's culture. For tourists, the opportunity to savor beer on the Chinese coast has become an enticing aspect of local vacations.
People have inhabited the area where Qingdao stands for over two millennia, with the first port operating here during ancient times. Modern Qingdao remains a vital port city, with its economy closely tied to trade and passenger ships within its expansive harbor.
