Zhanqiao Pier
青岛栈桥
A 440-metre pier built in 1892, with the Huilan Pavilion at its head. It is Qingdao’s city emblem and the motif on the Tsingtao beer label. Feed the gulls in winter and enjoy the sea in summer.
Zhanqiao Pier stands on the seafront of Taiping Road in Shinan District, just south of Qingdao railway station. The Qing government built it in 1892 as a berth for warships. It is Qingdao’s earliest pier and a symbol of the city. The Tsingtao beer label features the Huilan Pavilion at the end of the pier.
The pier is 440 m long and 8 m wide and extends into Qingdao Bay. At its head stands the Huilan Pavilion, an octagonal, double-eaved pavilion with glazed tiles, built in the 1930s and now a small exhibition hall.
Highlights: From the pavilion, you can look back over the red roofs and church spires of the old city, the Little Qingdao lighthouse, and the sails out at sea. From November to April, black-headed gulls winter at Zhanqiao, and feeding them is one of the most popular winter sights in Qingdao. At low tide, you can explore the sand and reefs on either side of the pier. At night, the pier is illuminated and its lights reflect on the water. On the east side of the pier head are Zhanqiao Park and historic buildings along Taiping Road, including the former Qingdao Customs House and the clock tower of the old railway station.
Admission to the pier is free. Entry to the Huilan Pavilion costs about 5 yuan.
Getting there: From Qingdao Station on Metro Line 3, or Renmin Huitang Station on Line 1, it is about a 5-minute walk. From Qingdao railway station, it is about a 10-minute walk.
Tips: Visit early in the morning or in the evening, when there are fewer people and the light is better. Allow 45 minutes, then walk along the coast to Lu Xun Park, Little Qingdao, and the Navy Museum, about 1.5 km away.
Notes: The pier is very crowded in summer and during holidays. It may close temporarily in strong winds or high waves. When feeding the gulls, use unsalted foods such as bread.
Opening hours
Open all day (Huilan Pavilion approx. 08:30–17:00)
Nearby sights
- Xiaoqingdao Island & Lu Xun Park
- Qingdao Tianhou Temple
- St. Michael's Cathedral
- Qingdao German Prison Site Museum
- Qingdao Protestant Church
- Pichaiyuan Food Street
- PLA Navy Museum
- Lao She's Former Residence (Camel Xiangzi Museum)
Places to eat nearby
- Minguohai Seafood Dumpling Restaurant (Zhongshan Road Zhanqiao Branch)
- Wangjie BBQ (Zhongshan Road Branch)
- Chunhelou (Zhongshan Road Head Office)
- Yongle Beer House (Chengwu Road Branch)
- Shuangheyuan · Seafood Dumplings Qingdao Cuisine (Xuanhua Road Branch)
- Yiqinghui · Seafood Qingdao Cuisine (May Fourth Square Flagship Store)