Qingdao First Visit Highlights
Zhanqiao Pier and the Old Town churches, the Qingdao Beer Museum, Laoshan's sea-side peak, and the Badaguan coastline. See Qingdao's top sights in one trip.
This route follows the path most guides recommend. Day one is a walk through the Old Town, followed by the Tsingtao Beer Museum. Day two is set aside for Laoshan. Day three covers Daxue Road, Xiaoyu Hill and Badaguan, ending at May Fourth Square before you leave. Laoshan sits in the middle, so the days before and after it are less tiring. Stay on Zhongshan Road near Zhanqiao Pier, where the Old Town is walkable and the metro reaches other districts easily. Well suited to first-time visitors.
Book Laoshan tickets in advance through official channels. Crowds are heavy in summer and during the Beer Festival.
Day by day
Day 1 · Zhanqiao Pier, Old Town and Beer Museum
Qingdao（Zhanqiao Pier、St. Michael's Cathedral、Pichaiyuan Food Street、Signal Hill Park、Tsingtao Beer Museum）
From the airport, take Metro Line 8, then transfer to Line 3 to Qingdao Railway Station, about 1.5 hours. Explore the Old Town on foot. In the afternoon, take a taxi, about 15 minutes, to Dengzhou Road.
Book the Beer Museum in advance with real-name registration. Tickets include a tasting of draft beer.
Stay: Zhongshan Road · Zhanqiao Pier
Day 2 · Laoshan Taiqing Palace Day Trip
Qingdao（Mount Lao (Laoshan)、Taiqing Palace (Laoshan)）
In the morning, take a tourist shuttle or taxi from the city center to the Laoshan Visitor Center, about 1 hour. Transfer to the scenic area sightseeing bus at the entrance. Return the same way in the evening.
Book Laoshan tickets and sightseeing bus seats in advance. Leave before 7 am to avoid queues.
Stay: Zhongshan Road · Zhanqiao Pier
Day 3 · Daxue Road, Badaguan and May Fourth Square
Qingdao（Daxue Road & Yushan Road、Xiaoyushan Park、Badaguan Scenic Area、May Fourth Square）
Walk or take a short taxi between Daxue Road, Xiaoyu Hill and Badaguan. In the afternoon, take the metro to May Fourth Square, then the metro to Qingdao Railway Station to leave.