Qingdao Life and Visitor Travel Tips

(Qingdao, Shandong, China)

Once a small fishing village, Qingdao is now a large and important city and is actually home to the fourth biggest harbour in the whole of China. Qingdao is an inventive city with a true enterprising spirit, which has been responsible for bringing considerable wealth and prosperity to the area.

Qingdao is now home to more than 1.5 million inhabitants, meaning that life is quite different to its rather colloquial fishing-village past. Today, Qingdaois a modern and rather charming city, with a historic old town district, areas of commerce and industry to the east, and many high-rise buildings. Here are some helpful travel tips relating to life in Qingdao.

Useful Contact Information

In recent years, many new tourist information kiosks and 'Service Centres' have started to appear all around the city, including an outlet outside of the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Xianggang Zhonglu, in the main commercial district and close to the Jusco shopping centre.

China International Travel Service (CITS)
Address: Zhongguó Guóji Luxingshè, Yuyuan Dasha, 73 Xianggang Xilu, Qingdao, China, CN
Tel: +86 0532 389 2065

Qingdao Haitian International Travel Service
Address: Haitian Hotel, 48 Xianggang Xilu, Qingdao, China, CN
Tel: +86 0532 386 3579

Qingdao Tourism Information and Service Station
Address: Qingdao Shi Luyóu Zixún Fúxùzhàn, Haian Jie, Qingdao, China, CN
Tel: +86 0532 582 6555

Main Post Office
Address: 8 Anhui Lu, Qingdao, China, CN
Open hours: daily - 08:00 to 18:00

Bank of China
Address: Zhongguó Yinháng, 66 and 68 Zhongshan Lu, Qingdao, China, CN
Open hours: daily - 08:00 to 17:00, features external ATM (cashpoint) and currency exchange

Language and Dialect

The language spoken in Qingdao and throughout China is known locally as 'Putonghua', or more commonly to visitors, either 'Mandarin' or 'Chinese'. There are eight different dialect groups currently spoken in China, with various sub-dialects throughout the regions.

I'm looking for a... - Woyao zhao...
Hotel - luguan
Youth hostel - qingnian lushe
Camp site - luyingdi
Guesthouse - bingguan

Passport and Visa Information

Visas are needed for those planning to visit the People's Republic of China, although they are not currently required when Westerners fly into either Hong Kong or Macau. The Qingdao Public Security Bureau (PSB) will be able to help with any visa-related queries or issues relating to your passport.

Public Security Bureau (PSB)
Address: Gonganjú, 272 Ningxia Lu, Qingdao, China, CN
Tel: +86 0532 579 2555
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 11:30 and 13:30 to 16:30

Drinking Tap Water

When staying in Qingdao, it is wise not to drink tap water in any form, unless if was been sterilised by boiling or by using purification tablets. Tap water in China is known to contain bacteria that can cause varying degrees of sickness and diarrhoea. Also avoid ice cubs, any drinks that may have been watered down, and uncooked fruit and vegetable dishes.