Signal Hill Park

信号山公园

A 98-meter hill in the old town center. A revolving viewing tower at the summit offers a 360-degree view of the “red roofs, green trees, blue sea and sky” that make the perfect shot of old Qingdao.

Signal Hill lies in the heart of Shinan District’s old town, between Longshan Road and Qidong Road. It rises 98 meters above sea level. During the German period, a signal station was set up on the summit to direct ships in and out of the port, which gave the hill its name. It was turned into a park in the 1980s and is the best viewpoint in Qingdao’s old town. Highlights include three red mushroom-shaped buildings on the summit. The tallest is a revolving observation tower, with admission included in the park ticket. As it slowly turns, it offers a 360-degree view of the old town. To the south you can see the twin towers of St. Michael’s Cathedral, Zhanqiao, Xiaoqingdao and Qingdao Bay. To the east lie Badaguan and Taiping Mountain. Below is a sea of red-tiled roofs among green trees, capturing the classic image of “red roofs, green trees, blue sea and sky.” Halfway up the hill, the former German governor’s residence (Yingbin Hall) can be seen from above. The park also has flower beds, the Lianxin Bridge, a six-bend covered walkway and the ruins of the flagpole platform from the German period. The hill is not tall, and it takes about 15 minutes to walk from the gate to the summit. Tickets cost about CNY 15, including the observation tower, and can be bought on site or booked through the official WeChat account. Getting there: about a 10-minute walk from Jiangsu Road Station on Metro Line 3, or a 15-minute uphill walk from St. Michael’s Cathedral. Suggested route: start in the morning at the cathedral, pass the Jiangsu Road Christian Church to Signal Hill, and after reaching the top, walk down to the former German governor’s residence. Then follow Longshan Road and Daxue Road, known for its trendy coffee shops and its “University Road corner,” to the former residence of Lao She and the old campus of Ocean University of China. The full route takes half a day. Note: the observation tower is sometimes closed for maintenance. The mountain paths have steps, so elderly visitors should take care. Visibility is limited on foggy days.

Signal Hill Park

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