In search of my German heritage

Trip Start Jul 20, 2004
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Trip End Jul 20, 2012


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Thursday, May 24, 2007

I spent about 2.5 days in Qingdao, staying at a well-run and friendly hostel on top of Sifeng Lu, exploring the old town by foot and strolling the along the Ocean waterfront from the Old town in the west to the new part of twon in the east. The entire walkway is about 40km and I walked about 20km. The city still exudes a german charm that can be seen and felt around every corner; churches, the railway station building, magnificient villas and splendid gardens. Lying on the southern bank of the Shandong Peninsula, Qingdao is one of China's most attractive cities, integrating modern cityscapes with old European-styled architectures on the mountain slopes and by the seashore, blue and beautiful sea beaches scattered with red reefs, and 1,132.7-meter-high Mt. Laoshan, the highest mountain along China's coastal line. Famous tourist sites include the Lesser Qingdao, Small Fish Hill, Lu Xun Park, Qingdao Aquarium, Qingdao Marine Product Museum, Qingdao Navy Museum, Zhanshan Temple, Catholic churches, Christian churches, Governor's Residence, and various-styled Badaguan Villas as well as several beaches of varying quality.

And then of course there is the Tsingtao Brewery. Built in 1903, the original Tsingtao Brewery is now the site of an excellent museum including all round information on Qingdao such as old maps and photographs, information on the history of the brewery and the Tsingtao Beer Company, a tour of the brewery including free beer for all at the Brewery Bar to top it off. Admission is 50RMB per person and includes three glasses of beer and a free souvenir glass.

After exploring the town, I ventured to the food market near my hostel where I always found some delicious food and more beer. Qingdao is worth a visit and I would defintely go back for the Qingdao International Beer Festival sometime in August. Cheers!
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