Badaguan Scenic Area

八大关

Known as the “World Architecture Expo,” the district’s ten tree-lined avenues, named after mountain passes, hide more than 200 old villas in styles from many countries. Highlights include Huashi Villa and Princess Villa, and the ginkgo avenue in autumn is Qingdao’s most beautiful street scene.

Badaguan lies between Huiquan Cape and Taiping Cape in Shinan District. It was developed as an upscale residential area in the 1930s. The district takes its name from its original eight roads, named after famous Chinese mountain passes: Shaoguan, Jiayuguan, Juyongguan, Shanhaiguan, Zhengyangguan, Zijingguan, Ningwuguan, and Hanguguan. Later, the number of roads grew to ten. It has more than 200 villas in styles from Germany, Russia, Britain, France, Denmark, Spain, and more than 20 other countries, earning it the nickname “World Architecture Expo.” It is a national key cultural heritage site and a national-level historic and cultural district.

Highlights:

Huashi Villa (18 Huanghai Road): A fortress-style villa from the 1930s, built of granite and cobblestones. Chiang Kai-shek once lived here. Climb the tower for a view of the Second Bathing Beach. Admission is about 8 yuan.

Princess Villa (10 Juyongguan Road): A small blue villa in the style of a Danish fairy tale. Admission is about 15 yuan.

Also worth seeing are the Marshal’s Villa and the Zhu De Villa.

Each road is planted with a different tree species. Shaoguan Road has double-flowered peach trees, Zhengyangguan Road has crape myrtles, Juyongguan Road has ginkgoes, and Jiayuguan Road has mono maples. In autumn, the golden ginkgo avenue on Juyongguan Road is a Qingdao signature.

The Second Bathing Beach is a popular wedding photo spot, with open reefs and sea views. Taiping Cape Park and the seaside promenade run all the way to Taiping Cape.

The district itself is free to walk around, though some individual villas charge admission.

Getting there: From Taiping Cape Park station or Zhongshan Park station on Metro Line 3, it is about a 10-minute walk.

Tips: Allow two to three hours for a leisurely walk. Enter through the Zhongshan Park gate, go along Juyongguan Road to Huashi Villa and the Second Bathing Beach, then walk the Taiping Cape seaside promenade. The afternoon light is best.

Notes: Most of the villas are still private residences or sanatoriums and cannot be entered. Weekends bring many wedding photography teams, so go early in the morning for the quietest experience.

Badaguan Scenic Area

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Nearby sights

Places to eat nearby