Spring Break in Shandong
We’ve just enjoyed a five day holiday in Qingdao and Laoshan, which are two seaside resorts in the north eastern Shandong province. Here are a few highlights.
Qingdao used to be a German colony at the turn of the 20th century so the city has fantastic architecture such as The Granite Castle and St Michael’s Cathedral. It is a big city with more than 7 million people.
Going to Qingdao at the end of March (out of season) is really cheap. Plane tickets to Qingdao at the end of March cost us each 600 RMB return. Rooms in 3 star hotels cost us between 150 and 220 RMB each night.
The weather was bright and sunny, but slightly chilly.
Shandong beaches were almost empty, which made us very happy.
Shandong fish and seafood are delicious, fresh and inexpensive. A seafood banquet will cost you 100 RMB for two people.
Laoshan district is 30 km east of Qingdao. It is accessible by bus, local travel agents (90 RMB) or expensive taxis (300 RMB return). Laoshan has great mountains, beaches (Taiqing and Yangkou), but they also have problems with rubbish. Travel agents like to take you to temples at Taiqing and Huayan.
Laoshan locals like to eat massive steam dumplings instead of rice and noodles.
Laoshan beer is better than the famous local Tsingtao beer. Locals drink beer made with different water than the Tsingtao that is exported to other Chinese cities.
We had trouble finding a coffee shop in Qingdao.
Shandong residents were very polite and relaxed.