Ni Hao

Good Evening,

My name is Andrew, and I am a Canadian student living and studying in Hong Kong. As a history student, I am fascinated with the history behind the city of Qingdao. As I will be visiting the city in the beginning of March, I was wondering if I could get some recommendations on what to see and do when I visit. I know that the old colonial architecture is still very prevalent in the city. Where are the best places with memorabilia and collectibles from these old times? Museums, antique shops, etc.

I look forward to hearing any advice you have to offer! Thank you for sharing the secrets of your city. Feel free to message me or send an email to winger.andrew (at) gmail.com if you don’t want to post here.

Best Regards,

Andrew (pattiewhack)

Hello Andrew,

There are some nice areas of the colonial time left in Qingdao. If you are looking for buildings from the German time then you can look around Zhongshan Road first (Many buildings there are from the 30s though). Walk around the area of the Old Protestant Church on Suzhou Road and from there you can get to the old governor’s house.

For a collection of really nice residential houses from the 30s, head over to Badaguan area.

Many of the old houses and streets with the old houses are residential now, so don’t expect many cafes or bars in those areas (but they do exist). Not many antique shops in the area, I guess the antiques have all been sold and now only very few good items are left and the rest is mostly from Chinese times.

Some interesting places (in no particular order):
- Old prison museum
- Old protestant church
- Governor’s house
- Train station (just the outside)
- The pier
- Tsingtao Brewery (old building is still there, now the whole factory offers tours)
- Municipal museum (far to the east of the city, shows the overall history of the area)
- Archive museum (my personal favorite. Shows the last 150 years, focus on colonial time as well)
- Badaguan area (if the weather is nice)

That should keep you busy for a weekend. Addresses can be found in the local expat magazine called “Redstar” (you can get copies in most bars or big hotels) or search this website.

Wish you a good time in QD!

Good tips Chris, I would add the Prison on Taiping Lu, it’s also worth stopping by the Tian Hou Gong temple right across the street, that even though it’s not concerned with colonial times, is one of the oldest places in Qingdao, I read that it goes back to the 15th century…

There is a really neat curio shop and small inn/hostel near the corner of Anhui and Guangxi Lu. It’s run by Lao Zhao and he is very friendly. He could fill you in on some local history over some seafood and beer, he’s usually holding court at the front table of the shop. Look for a bunch of stuff piled up at the door on Guangxi Lu.

Also on that corner is the Postal Museum, used to be the old German Post Office and is still owned by China Post.

Jinkou Lu area near original Ocean University and Taipingjiao in Badaguan have some nice roads for a historical stroll.

Daxue Lu is worth a visit too, if only to see John at the Strong Ale Works, right across from the Qingdao Art Museum.

Good luck, keep in touch if you have any q’s ~