About the City-Qingdao
Qingdao Transportation
Qingdao City Bus
Because of its hilly terrain, few people use bicycles or motorcycles in the city. Consequently, the public bus is the main vehicle.
Standard bus fare is CNY1; fare on an air-conditioned bus is CNY2. If you pay by transportation card (Qindaotong in Chinese), passengers can enjoy a 20% discount.
Many bus routes run along the coast including Nos. 26, 304, 317, 321, and the Tourism Special Line 802 from west to east of the city and pass through major sightseeing places such as the Zhan Bridge (Zhan Qiao), Luxun Park, Bathing Beach, Badaguan, etc.
Qingdao Taxi
There are two types of taxis in the city: the ordinary ones and the luxury ones. The taxi fee for ordinaries is CNY9 for the first 3 kilometers (about 1.86 miles) and CNY1.4 for every succeeding kilometer. The fee for luxury taxis is CNY 12 for the first 3 kilometers and CNY 1.9 for every succeeding kilometer.
Tip: Taxi drivers in the city like to recommend accommodations and car rentals for visiting Mt. Laoshan. Don't rely on them. We suggest you make your own choices. Mt. Laoshan can be reached by buses 104, 113 and 304.
Qingdao International Airport
Qingdao Liuting International Airport began serving the public on August 5, 1982 and has developed into an important air hub in east China. Presently, over 400 flights operate here, connecting Qingdao with destinations both at home and abroad. The airport is well-equipped with a parking lot, public telephones, clinic, free luggage carts, and obstacle-free facilities for passengers' convenience. In addition, services such as inquiry, lost & found, left luggage, and luggage packing are also available.
Located about 23 km from the downtown area, the airport can be easily reached. Currently, there are 5 shuttle buses running between the airport and downtown, covering most areas of the city. In addition, there are inter-city buses traveling between the airport and Rizhao, Weifang, Jiaozhou, Zibo, Rushan, Shouguang, Dongying, Jimo and Laixi, and other towns.
Qingdao Weather
Located in north temperate monsoon zone, Qingdao has a temperate monsoon climate. The urban area is affected by the northeast monsoon, ocean current and water mass, so Qingdao climate has evident features of marine climate. In Qingdao, the air is humid; the temperature is medium; the four seasons have clear distinctions.
Spring & Summer
In spring, the temperature rises slowly and comes one month later than other inland cities.
In summer, it is muggy and rainy, but has no intense heat. The hottest season is in August with the average temperature of 25.1°C (77.2°F) and the coldest in January with the average temperature of 0.9°C below zero (30.4°F).
Autumn & Winter
In autumn, the sky is clear and the air is crisp.
In winter, it has no bitter cold, with strong winds and low temperature for a long time. Autumn and winter in Qingdao are windy; in winter the temperature drops below zero centigrade, although the sea does not freeze. Winter swimming challenges the courageous.
Qingdao Cuisine
Qingdao Cuisine, which is usually deep fried, braised, roasted or stewed, commonly use soy sauce, shallots and garlic, and the dishes are known for their delicate aromas, and pure flavor. Qingdao cuisine's most famous dishes are sea cucumbers with minced meat, Jiaodong Chicken Wings, and Braised cuttlefish eggs. Although prepared in a simple style, these dishes are unforgettable. The best way to enjoy Qingdao's seafood is to stroll down to the shore, or along Laiyang Road and stop in one of the many little seafood restaurants. Qingdao's many fine hotels are also excellent places to enjoy seafood, although prices are higher, there is less of a language barrier problem and the dishes are more refined.