Qingdao

Qingdao ([tɕʰíŋtàu]; also spelled Tsingtao; Chinese: 青岛) is a major city in eastern Shandong Province. Located on China's Yellow Sea coast, it is a major nodal city of the One Belt, One Road (OBOR) Initiative that connects Asia with Europe.[2] It has the highest GDP of any city in the province. Administered at the sub-provincial level,[3] Qingdao has jurisdiction over six districts and four county-level cities. As of 2014, Qingdao had a population of 9,046,200 with an urban population of 6,188,100.[4] Lying across the Shandong Peninsula and looking out to the Yellow Sea, it borders the prefecture-level cities of Yantai to the northeast, Weifang to the west and Rizhao to the southwest.

"Tsingtao" redirects here. For the brewery, see Tsingtao Brewery.

Qingdao

青岛市

Tsingtao
Prefecture-level and Sub-provincial city
Clockwise from top left: Qingdao's skyline, St. Michael's Cathedral, Qingdao harbor, a temple at the base of Mount Lao, and May Fourth Square
Location of Qingdao city (red) on China's eastern coast
Qingdao
Location of the municipal government
Qingdao
Qingdao (Shandong)
Coordinates (Qingdao municipal government): 36°04′01″N 120°22′58″E
CountryPeople's Republic of China
ProvinceShandong
Lease to Germany6 March 1898
Japanese occupation7 November 1914
Return to China10 December 1922
Japanese Occupation10 January 1938
Return to China15 August 1945
Municipal seat11, Xianggangzhong Rd, Shinan District
Government
 • CPC SecretaryZhang Jiangting
 • MayorMeng Fanli
Area
 • Prefecture-level and Sub-provincial city11,067 km2 (4,273 sq mi)
 • Land11,067 km2 (4,273 sq mi)
 • Urban
 (2018)[1]
1,632 km2 (630 sq mi)
 • Metro
5,019 km2 (1,938 sq mi)
Population
 (2014)
 • Prefecture-level and Sub-provincial city9,046,200
 • Density820/km2 (2,100/sq mi)
 • Urban
 (2018)[1]
5,930,000
 • Urban density3,600/km2 (9,400/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+8 (China Standard)
Postal code
266000
Area code(s)0532
ISO 3166 codeCN-SD-02
GDP¥ 1.2 trillion
(US$140 billion)
GDP per capita¥ 127,745
(US$18,000)
License Plate Prefix鲁B & 鲁U
Coastline862.64 km (536.02 mi)
(inclusive of offshore islands)
730.64 km (454.00 mi)
(exclusive of islands)
Major NationalitiesHan: 99.86%
County-level divisions10
Websitewww.qingdao.gov.cn
Qingdao
"Qingdao" in Simplified (top) and Traditional (bottom) Chinese characters
Chinese name
Simplified Chinese青岛
Traditional Chinese青島
PostalTsingtao
Literal meaning"Azure Isle"
German name
GermanTsingtau

Qingdao is a major seaport and naval base, as well as a commercial and financial center. It is home to electronics multinationals such as Haier and Hisense. The world's longest sea bridge, the Jiaozhou Bay Bridge, links the main urban area of Qingdao with Huangdao district, straddling the Jiaozhou Bay sea areas. Its historic, German-style architecture and Tsingtao Brewery, the second largest brewery in China[5] are legacies of the German occupation (1898-1914).

In the 2020 Global Financial Centers Index, Qingdao ranked 47th; the index is published by the Z/Yen Group and China Development Institute, the other Chinese cities on the list being Shanghai, Hong Kong, Beijing, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Nanjing, Xi'an, Tianjin, Hangzhou, Dalian, and Wuhan.[6] In 2007, Qingdao was named as one of China's top ten cities by the Chinese Cities Brand Value Report, which was released at the 2007 Beijing Summit of China Cities Forum.[7] In 2009, Qingdao was named China's most livable city by the Chinese Institute of City Competitiveness.[8][9] In 2018, Qingdao held the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit.[10] In 2020, Qingdao was rated as a Gamma + level global city by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network.[11]

Qingdao is also a major city for global scientific research as tracked by the Nature Index according to the Nature Index 2020 Science Cities.[12] The city is home to several notable universities, including the Ocean University of China, one of China's prestigious universities as a member of Project 985, and China University of Petroleum (East China), a member of the Project 211.

Other names

History

Ancient times

Human settlement in the area dates back 6,000 years. The Dongyi nationality, one of the important origins of the Chinese nation, lived here and created the Dawenkou, Longshan and Dongyeshi cultures. In the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770 B.C. – 256 B.C.), the town of Jimo was established, which was then the second largest one in the Shandong region. The area in which Qingdao is located today was named Jiao'ao (胶澳) when it was administered by the Qing Dynasty on 14 June 1891.

German and Japanese occupations
Sketch map of Tsingtao, circa 1906
Main gate of former Chinese munitions depot, taken over by the Imperial German Navy, Kiautschou Bay, Shandong peninsula, 1898
Further information: Kiautschou Bay concession

In 1891, the Qing Empire decided to make coastal Tsingtao (then known as "Jiao'ao") a defense base against naval attack and began to improve its fortifications. Imperial German naval officials observed and reported on this activity during a formal survey of Jiaozhou Bay in May 1897. Subsequently, German troops seized and occupied the fortification.[13] The preindustrial, waning Qing Empire was forced to concede the area to Germany the following year, and the Kiautschou Bay concession, as it became known, existed from 1898 to 1914 (Li 2005, p. 81). With an area of 552 km2 (136,000 acres; 213 sq mi), it was located in the imperial province of Shandong (alternately romanized as Shantung or Shan-tung) on the southern coast of the Shandong Peninsula in northern China. Jiaozhou was alternatively romanized as Kiaochow, Kiauchau, or Kiao-Chau in English, and Kiautschou in German; Qingdao was its administrative center. "The so-called Marktstrasse (Market Street) was nothing more than the old main street of the Chinese village of Tsingtao, and the buildings lining it were the former homes of fishermen and farmers. Having sold their property, they resettled their homes and fields in the villages further east."[14] Upon gaining control of the area, the Germans outfitted the impoverished fishing village of Tsingtao (Qingdao) with wide streets, solid housing areas, government buildings, electrification throughout, a sewer system and a safe drinking water supply, a rarity in large parts of Asia at that time and later.[15] The area had the highest school density and the highest per capita student enrollment in all of China, with primary, secondary and vocational schools funded by the Imperial German treasury and Protestant and Roman Catholic missions.[15] Commercial interests established the Germania Brewery in 1903, which later became the world-famous Tsingtao Brewery.[16] German cultural and commercial influences extended to other areas of Shandong Province, including the establishment of diverse commercial enterprises.

Identified by the German authorities as a strategically important port, Qingdao was administered by the Imperial Department of the Navy (Reichsmarineamt) rather than the Imperial Colonial Office (Reichskolonialamt). The growing Imperial German Navy based their Far East Squadron there, allowing the warships to conduct operations throughout the western Pacific. Beginning January 1898, the marines of III. Seebataillon were based at Tsingtao. Construction of the Jiaoji Railway began on 23 September 1899, and was completed in 1904.[17]

Japanese military currency
Siege of Tsingtao
10 sen (1914)

Before the outbreak of World War I (1914–1918), ships of the German naval forces under Admiral Count von Spee were located at central Pacific colonies on routine missions. The fleet then rendezvoused in the Marianas Islands to plan a transit back to Germany rather than be trapped in the Pacific by more powerful and numerous Allied fleets (British and Japanese).[note 1]

After a minor British naval attack on the German concession in Shandong in 1914, Japanese Empire troops occupied the city and the surrounding province during the Siege of Tsingtao after Japan's declaration of war on Germany in accordance with the Anglo-Japanese Alliance.[18] China protested against Japan's violation of her neutrality but was not able to interfere in the military operations.[19] The decision of the Paris Peace Conference and the Versailles Treaty negotiations not to restore Chinese rule over the previous foreign concessions in Qingdao after the Great War triggered the May Fourth Movement (4 May 1919) of anti-imperialism, nationalism and cultural identity in China.[20]

Map of Qingdao in 1912

The city came under Chinese rule in December 1922, under control of the Republic of China (R.O.C.) established 1912 after the Chinese Revolution the year before. However, Japan maintained its economic dominance of the railway and the province as a whole.[21] The city became a direct-controlled municipality of the ROC Government in July 1929.

Japan re-occupied Qingdao in 1938, a year after its expansion of the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945), (a precursor to World War II, 1939–1945) with its plans of territorial expansion into China's coast. Nationalist (Kuomintang) ROC forces returned after the Japanese surrender in September 1945. On 2 June 1949, during the Chinese Civil War and shortly before the founding of the communist People’s Republic of China on 1 October 1949 the city was taken by Chairman Mao Zedong and his troops.

1898–1914

The development of the Tsingtao urban space during the German-occupation (1898–1914) originated from the port. Mass urban construction began in 1898 with the relocation of Chinese dwellers along the coast.[22] With the completion of such series of mass construction projects such as wharves, the Tsingtao-Jinan Railway Line, Tsingtao Railway Station and locomotive works, a city was starting to take shape.[23] The area had the highest school density and highest per capita student enrollment in all of China, with primary, secondary and vocational schools funded by the Berlin treasury as well as Protestant and Roman Catholic missions.[24] In 1910, the Germans drew up for the second time the city planning of Tsingtao (Warner 2001, p. 33). The former urban area was extended for four times highlighted by the emphasis on the development of commerce and trade. Sun Yat-sen (1866–1925), leader of the Chinese Revolution of 1911 and subsequent first president of the Republic of China, visited the Tsingtau area and stated in 1912, "I am impressed. The city is a true model for China's future".[25]

1914–1922

The development of Tsingtao urban space continued during the first Japan-occupation period (1914–1922). In 1914, Tsingtao was taken over by the Japanese and served as a base for the exploitation of natural resources of Shandong and northern China. With the development of industry and commerce, a "New City District" was established to furnish the Japanese colonists with commercial sections and living quarters, which suggested a striking contrast to the shabby houses in the local Chinese zones (Li 2007, p. 133). In the meantime, a number of schools, hospitals and public buildings were constructed, followed by urban streets and intercity highways as well. The urban spatial layout continued to expand northward along the eastern bay area.

1922–1938

The development of Tsingtao urban space during the ROC-ruled period (1922–1938). This period saw the substantial progress of the urban development of Tsingtao. The government engaged itself in mass construction that gave birth to villa districts at the beach and bank groups in CBD. Plenty of public buildings and facilities for the purpose of entertainment and sports were completed. By the year of 1937, the urban population numbered 385,000(Lu 2001, p. 327). Tsingtao consequently distinguished itself as a prominent holiday resort and summer retreat.

1938–1945

The development of Tsingtao urban space during the second Japan-occupied period (1938–1945). Japanese armed forces returned to Tsingtao in 1938 and started to strive for the construction of the Greater Tsingtao in the following June. Accordingly, they worked out the city planning of the Greater Tsingtao and the City Planning of the Mother Town (Tsingtao City Proper), even though they had not had the opportunity to actualize either, respectively. The period in question did not witness much urban progress except for the logical construction of No. 6 Wharf, some Japanese residences and a small number of roads and streets (Lu 2001, p. 339).

Postwar

After World War II, the KMT allowed Qingdao to serve as the headquarters of the Western Pacific Fleet of the US Navy in 1945; however, its headquarters was transferred to the Philippines sometime in late 1948. On 2 June 1949, the CCP-led Red Army entered Qingdao and the city and province have been under PRC control since that time.

Since the 1984 inauguration of China's open-door policy to foreign trade and investment, Qingdao has rapidly developed into an ultramodern port city. It is now the headquarters of the Chinese navy's northern fleet. An early example of the open-door policy occurred on 5 November 1984, when three United States Naval vessels visited Qingdao. This was the first US port call in more than 37 years to China. USS Rentz, USS Reeves, and USS Oldendorf and their crews were officially hosted by the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).

Northern Qingdao, particularly Shibei, Licang, and Chengyang districts, are now major manufacturing centers. The city has recently experienced a strong growth period, with a new central business district created to the east of the older business district. Outside of the center of the city, there is a large industrial zone, which includes chemical processing, rubber and heavy manufacturing, in addition to a growing high-tech area. Numerous local and national service companies, rather than manufacturers, are based in the city's southern district; this, as well as local wind patterns, allows Qingdao to enjoy clean, clear air year round.

Image of Qingdao in the early 1900s

Administrative divisions

The sub-provincial city of Qingdao has 7 districts (区; qū) and 3 county-level cities (市; shì):

SubdivisionChinese (Simplified)Pinyin RomanizationAdmin.
Code[26]		Land Area
(km²)		Urbanization
Rate (%)		Permanent Resident
Population ('000s, 2010)		Population Density
(1/km²)
Districts
Shinan District (city seat)市南区Shìnán Qū37020230.01100544.818153.95
Shibei District市北区Shìběi Qū37020363.181001020.716155.43
Huangdao District
(Xihai'an New Area)		黄岛区
（西海岸新区）		Huángdǎo Qū
(Xīhǎi'àn Xīnqū)		3702112220.10801392.6627.27
Laoshan District崂山区Láoshān Qū370212389.3480379.5974.73
Licang District李沧区Lǐcāng Qū37021395.52100512.45364.32
Chengyang District城阳区Chéngyáng Qū370214553.2080737.21332.61
Jimo District即墨区Jímò Qū370282172758.11177.2681.64
County-level cities
Jiaozhou胶州市Jiāozhōu Shì370281121068.0843.1696.78
Pingdu平度市Píngdù Shì370283316652.81357.4428.74
Laixi莱西市Láixī Shì370285152258.1750.2492.90

Geographically, there are four districts (Shinan, Shibei, Licang and Laoshan) constituting a peninsula on the east coast of the Jiaozhou Bay as the core urban area, one (Chengyang) on the north coast and one (Xihai'an) on the west coast of the Yellow Sea.

Geography
Qingdao (labeled CH'ING-TAO (TSINGTAO) 青島) (1954)
Map including Qingdao (labeled as CH'ING-TAO (TSINGTAO))
Qingdao
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
11
 
 
3
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−1
 
 
22
 
 
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29
 
 
15
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74
 
 
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149
 
 
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29
 
 
13
6
 
 
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6
0
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: CMA[27]

Qingdao is located on the south facing coast of the Shandong Peninsula (German: Schantung Halbinsel). It borders three prefecture-level cities, namely Yantai to the northeast, Weifang to the west, and Rizhao to the southwest. The city occupies an area totaling 10,654 km2 (4,114 sq mi), and stretches in latitude from 35° 35' to 37° 09' N and in longitude from 119° 30' to 121° 00' E. The populated sections of the city are relatively flat while mountains spur up within city limits and nearby. The highest elevation in the city is located 1,133 meters (3,717 ft) above sea level. Of the total area of Qingdao, 15.5% is highland, while the foothill, plain and lowland areas constitute 25.1%, 37.8% and 21.7%, respectively. The city has a 730.64-kilometer (454.00 mi)-long coastline. Five significant rivers exceeding 50 kilometers (31 mi) in length can be found in the region.

Climate

Qingdao has a temperate, four-season, monsoon-influenced[28] climate that lies in the transition between the humid subtropical (Köppen Cwa) and humid continental (Köppen Dwa) regimes. Winters range from cool to cold and windy, but are generally dry, with a January average of −0.2 °C (31.6 °F). Summer is generally hot and humid, but very hot days are rare, with an August average of 25.4 °C (77.7 °F). Due to its proximity to the coast and location on a peninsula, compared to most inland areas of China, its spring is delayed by one month,[28] and the annual diurnal temperature variation is only 6.3 °C (11.3 °F); conversely, its fall is milder than inland areas in Shandong. The water temperature peaks at about 25 °C (77 °F) in late August. Thus, swimming is possible for two months on either side. The annual mean temperature is 12.96 °C (55.3 °F). Extremes since 1951 have ranged from −15.5 °C (4 °F) on 16 January 1958 to 38.9 °C (102 °F) on 15 July 2002.[29]

During the summer months, the beaches of Qingdao are afflicted by massive algal blooms. The decomposing algae release large amounts of hydrogen sulfide gas, which produces an offensive "rotten egg" odor. Sea lettuce blooms, which are partially caused by seaweed farming in Jiangsu Province, led local officials to declare a "large-scale algae disaster" in 2013.[30]

Demographics
Historical population
YearPop.±%
1913[34]58,000—    
1953916,846+1480.8%
19641,383,433+50.9%
19824,227,594+205.6%
19906,663,989+57.6%
20007,494,194+12.5%
20108,715,100+16.3%
Population size may be affected by changes on administrative divisions.

By the end of 2006, Qingdao was estimated to be the home of about 8 million inhabitants, of which around 3 million reside in the Qingdao urban area. Another estimated 5 million live in other cities under Qingdao's jurisdiction. The annual birth rate is calculated around 76,507, with a birth rate of 10.15 per year per thousand, and a death rate of 6.32, both calculated on an annual basis. Living standards are among the highest of leading Chinese cities due to the strong export economy and relatively high family wages.

Qingdao is home to 38 Chinese ethnic minorities, which account for 0.14% of the city's total population.

There is a large Korean community in Qingdao. By 2009, there were approximately 100,000 Koreans working, studying and living in Qingdao, which makes Qingdao the second in terms of Korean population in China, following Beijing which has about 200,000 Koreans.[35]

Economy
Qingdao-based Tsingtao beer, China's second-largest domestic brand and its largest export brand.
Qingdao TV Tower

An important region in Eastern China, Shandong Province has seen substantial change in its economic landscape in recent years. Much of this development has been concentrated in Qingdao.[36] Qingdao has seen rapid development. With an annual growth rate of 18.9 percent in 2006, the city's GDP reached 42.3 billion, ranking first in Shandong Province and tenth out of China's top 20 cities.[36] GDP per capita comprised CN¥52,895 (US$7,616) in 2008. The GDP has grown steadily at an average pace of 16% annually. In 2006, Qingdao was ranked one of six "golden cities" by the World Bank, out of 120 Chinese cities assessed on factors including investment climate and government effectiveness.[36] In 2018, Qingdao's GDP reached CN¥1200.15 billion, though it shrank a little in 2019.[37]

Internationally, Qingdao is perhaps best known for its Tsingtao Brewery, founded by a German-British joint venture in 1903 that produces Tsingtao beer, the best-known Chinese export beer. It is also home to Haier, a large white goods manufacturer, and Hisense, a major electronics company. In 2002 guitar manufacturers Epiphone opened a factory in Qingdao.[38]

In 1984 the Chinese government named a district of Qingdao a Special Economic and Technology Development Zone (SETDZ). Along with this district, the entire city had gone through amazing development of secondary and tertiary industries. As an important trading port in the province, Qingdao flourishes with foreign investment and international trade. South Korea and Japan in particular made extensive investment in the city. Approximately 80,000 South Korean citizens reside there.

In terms of primary sector industries, Qingdao has an estimated 50,000 acres (200 km2) of arable land. Qingdao has a zigzagging pattern coastline, and thus possesses an invaluable stock of fish, shrimp, and other sea resources.

Qingdao's wind power electricity generation performs at among the highest levels in the region.[39]

Industrial zones
  • Qingdao Special Economic and Technological Development Area
  • Qingdao Free Trade Zone
  • Qingdao High-tech Industrial Zone
  • Qingdao University Industrial Zone

Transport

Road

There are a total of 1,145 km (711 mi) of roads in the Qingdao area, with nearly 500 km (310 mi) of expressways. These National Trunk Highway System (NTHS) Expressways begin or pass through in Qingdao.[40] Expressways that begin in Qingdao are in Bold:

Spur Route: G2011 Qingxin Expressway (Qingdao-Xinhe, Pingdu, Shandong)

These provincial expressways begin in or pass through Qingdao. Expressways that begin in Qingdao are in Bold:

Other than Expressways, there are also National Highways that pass through or begin in Qingdao. National Highways that begin in Qingdao are in bold:

On 30 June 2011, the longest bridge over water opened in Qingdao. The bridge, Haiwan Bridge, is 26.4 miles (42.5 km) long and connects Qingdao to Huangdao and Hongdao. It would easily cross the English Channel and is almost three miles (4.8 km) longer than the previous record-holder, the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway in the American state of Louisiana. Haiwan Bridge is supported by more than 5,000 pillars and costs about 10 billion yuan which is about 1.5 billion dollars. The bridge was designed by the Shandong Gausu Group and the construction lasted for four years. Haiwan Bridge cut the commute between the city of Qingdao and the sprawling suburb of Huangdao by 30 minutes. At least 10,000 workers toiled in two teams around the clock to build the bridge, which was constructed from opposite ends.[41] On the same day, the Jiaozhou Bay Tunnel opened. The tunnel brought much convenience to people by supporting public buses and making transport between the two areas more convenient.

Marine

Also see Port of Qingdao

Qingdao (official name: Qingdao port international co. ltd.) hosts one of the world's busiest seaports. Cooperative relations have been established with 450 ports in 130 countries worldwide. The port of Qingdao is part of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.[42][43] In 2003, the annual cargo handling capacity exceeded 100 million tons for the first time. The number of containers reached 3.41 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) of cargoes.[44]

By 2011, the port had become the world’s sixth-busiest by Total Cargo Volume, having handled 372,000,000 metric tons (366,000,000 long tons; 410,000,000 short tons) of cargo in that year. As of 2016, it was the 8th in the world in terms of TEUs (Twenty Foot Equivalent Units).[45]

The Orient Ferry connects Qingdao with Shimonoseki, Japan. There are two ferry lines connecting Qingdao with South Korea. The New Golden Bridge II operates between Qingdao and Incheon, and the Blue Sea Ferry operates between Qingdao and Gunsan.[46]

Qingdao port also includes a number of large adjacent ports including Dongjiakou.[47]

Aviation

Qingdao Liuting International Airport, located 23 km (14 mi) away from the city center, is served by 13 domestic and international airlines that operate 94 routes, 12 of which are international and regional. In 2011, Qingdao Liuting International Airport was the 16th busiest airport in the People's Republic of China with 11,716,361 passengers. A new civil aviation airport with much larger capacities will be built in Jiaozhou District.[48]

Intercity rail
Qingdao railway station

Qingdao's railway development was picked up during the late 1990s. It is at the beginning of the Jiaoji Railway. Qingdao's city proper has some major railway stations, Qingdao Station, Sifang Station,[49] Cangkou Station, Great-Seaport Station, Qingdaobei Railways Station,[50] etc.

D and G series High speed trains travel on the Jiaoji High Speed Railway and reach speeds of 300 km/h (190 mph) on the Jinan-Qingdao Section.[51] Services go to Beijing, Shanghai, Hefei, Jinan and Tianjin.[52] T The fastest train between Qingdao and Beijing is G206 / G205 times, 2 hours and 58 minutes needed[53]

Domestic rail lines connect Qingdao with many cities in China including Beijing, Lanzhou, Chengdu, Xi'an, Zhengzhou, Jinan and Jining.

Public transport
A Qingdao bus

Qingdao's public traffic owns 5283 large and medium-sized buses, CNG buses as of 2012.There are also 136 trolleybuses as of 2012. All of the buses and trolleybuses can be accessed using the Qingdao Public Traffic IC Card (青岛卡), which uses radio frequencies so the card does not have to physically touch the scanner. After that, all public transportation companies use Qingdaotong Card, the last company started to use this card is Zhenqing bus company located in The West Coast New Area of Qingdao (original Huangdao Distinct) in 2019.

Non air-conditioned buses cost 1 yuan (excluding the tunnel bus), The volume of road passenger transport approaches 737 million per year.[54] The Public Transport Brand of 'Ri-Xin Bus (日新巴士)' is also known in China.

There are a number of taxi companies in Qingdao including Yiqing Company, Zhongqing Company, Jiaoyun Company and, Huaqing Company.

Subway
The Qingdao Metro system has two very long suburban lines
Main article: Qingdao Metro

After getting the approval from the State Council, the government announced on 18 August 2009 that Qingdao is ready to spend more than 29 billion yuan ($4.2 billion) before 2016 on its subway construction. Construction of 54.7 km (34.0 mi) of subway line 3 was completed before 2016 with a total investment of 29.2 billion yuan ($4.3 billion). Metro Line 3 is the first line in function and opened on 16 December 2015. In the long term, the city plans to build eight subway lines in downtown and some suburban districts, which account for 231.5 km (143.8 mi) in future.[55] As of end of May 2018, the system has an operating length of 170 km (110 mi), lines in operation including Line 2, Line 3, Line 11, and Line 13.

Tramway
The Qingdao Tram system is operating in Chengyang District
Main article: Qingdao Tram

The Qingdao Tram (official name: Modern tram demonstration line) of Chengyang District, Qingdao, is a tram system operating in Chengyang District, Qingdao, China. It opened in 2016. The Qingdao Public Transport Group Rail Bus Co., Ltd. is responsible for operation and management. The system is only composed of 1 bus line.

Military

Qingdao is headquarters of the North Sea Fleet of the People's Liberation Army Navy.

Culture

Architecture
Qingdao retains many buildings with a German architectural style

There are a large number of German-style buildings in Qingdao's city center, a remarkable fact considering the German leased-territory period only lasted 16 years (1898–1914). The unique combination of German and Chinese architecture therein, combined with German demographic roots and a large Korean expatriate population, gives Qingdao a rather distinct atmosphere. An old saying described Qingdao as a city of "red tiles green trees, blue sky and blue sea." This saying indeed gives a picture of bird view of Qingdao. A larger number of areas in former foreign styles are well preserved. Although the new city area is under large-scale reconstruction, the old city area (especially the western part of Shinan District) still retains many traditional buildings.

St. Michael's Cathedral
Skyscrapers in Qingdao

Notable people

Movies shot in Qingdao

Language

During the city's leased-territory days, German, the official language, was rigorously taught and promoted. Since the demise of Germany's colonial empire after World War I, the German language is all but gone, leaving little impact on the local languages. A local accent known as Qingdao dialect (Chinese: 青岛话; pinyin: Qīngdǎo huà) distinguishes the residents of the city from those of the surrounding Shandong province. Due to the efforts by the city government to promote standard Mandarin, most educated people can speak standard Mandarin in addition to their native dialect. With reform policies and English teaching, some young citizens have been taught English and many can converse with English-speaking foreigners. Business and traffic signs in English are becoming more and more common.

Cuisine

Seafood is a typical delicacy of this coastal city. The type of seafood consumed can be divided into two categories: "Great Seafood" including sea cucumbers, abalones, shark's fin, shrimp, crab, conch, and some big fish, and "Little Seafood" comprising squid, shrimps, octopus, oysters, razor clams, clams, periwinkles, yellow croakers, etc.

The distinctive cuisine of the area is Lu Cai, the Shandong regional style.

Festivals

Notable festivals include:

Media

Qingdao previously had a large German community and a German garrison, so three German newspapers operated in Qingdao.[56] German papers included Deutsch-Asiatische Warte (traditional Chinese: 泰東古今鑑; simplified Chinese: 泰东古今鉴; pinyin: Tàidōng Gǔjīn Jiàn;[57] weekly newspaper published until 1906, included Die Welt des Ostens, Altes und Neues aus Asiens drei Kaiserreichen, a cultural supplement),[56] the Tsingtauer Neueste Nachrichten and the Kiautschou Post (a daily paper published from 1908 to 1912, referring to the Kiautschou (Jiaozhou) Bay concession). German publishing in Qingdao ended after World War I and the beginning of the Japanese administration.[57]

A 1912 publication of the United States Department of Commerce, Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce said that the Tageblatt für Nordchina of Tianjin was read in Qingdao, and that major newspapers from Shanghai were also read in Qingdao.[58]

Tourism

Qingdao attracts many tourists due to its seaside setting and temperate weather. Parks, beaches, sculptures and unique German and modern architecture line the shore. Its centrally located tourist information center, the "Qingdao Information Center for International Visitors for International Visitors," is located on Middle Hong Kong Road (香港中路).

Qingdao's major attractions include:

Western Shinan district
  • Zhan Qiao (Pier, 栈桥)
  • Little Qingdao Isle (小青岛)
  • Tian Hou Temple (天后宫), Qingdao Folk Museum
  • Badaguan (八大关; 'Eight Great Passes'), the older area of town with some surviving German and Japanese architecture.
  • Lu Xun Park, named after Lu Xun, modern Chinese writer and critic, who lived and taught in the 1930s.
  • Zhongshan Park, named after the style name 'Zhongshan' of Sun Yat-sen, a famous modern Chinese politician.
  • Xiao Yu Shan (小鱼山; 'Little Fish Hill')
  • The twin-spired St. Michael's Cathedral (天主教堂; Kathedrale St. Michael), a notable example of Qingdao's famous Neo-romanesque architecture, designed by German architect Alfred Fräbel, completed in 1934.
  • Qingdao Aquarium (青岛水族馆)
  • Jiaozhou Governor's Hall (提督府), office building of former German governors (Gouverneurspalast) and former municipal government
  • Xinhao Hill (信号山)
Photographs of Historic Euro-Asian Area
  • Hua Shi Lou in the Eight Great Passes
  • Former site of the headquarters of the German Administration
  • The Protestant Church (Evangelische Kirche) (基督教堂)
  • The pier on the seafront
  • A view of Qingdao

Eastern Shinan district

Laoshan district
  • Lao Shan (Mount Lao, Lauschan, 崂山), 40 km (25 mi) east of Qingdao, the most famous Taoist mountain with Taoist retreat – Great Purity Palace (太清宫).

Other districts of Qingdao

Education

Higher Education
Old Main Building of Qingdao University of Science and Technology

Qingdao is home to a large number of higher education institutions. Ocean University of China, formerly called Ocean University of Qingdao, is the most important university of maritime sciences in China. In addition, the Qingdao University, the Qingdao University of Science and Technology as well as the Qingdao Technological University have also been integral parts of higher education in Qingdao for decades. Shandong University Qingdao (SDUQ) established since 2016, belonging to Shandong University System. Other institutions include:

Shandong University was located in Qingdao from 1909 to 1936. A new branch campus of the university is under construction in Aoshanwei Town, Jimo.

International schools

Secondary schools

Sports

Qingdao has long been a hub of professional sports in the People's Republic of China.

Stadiums

2008 Olympic Summer Games

During the 2008 Summer Olympics, Qingdao and Beijing cohosted the Olympic Sailing competitions. In Qingdao, the events took place along the shoreline by the city. These events were hosted at the Qingdao International Sailing Centre and held in Fushan Bay, near the city's central business district. An international broadcasting center and purpose-built hotel were constructed for the Games.

Arena Football

Qingdao Clipper is a professional arena football team which is a member of the China Arena Football League.

Basketball

Qingdao DoubleStar Eagles is a Chinese professional basketball team which plays in the North Division of the Chinese Basketball Association.

Badminton

Qingdao Renzhou Badminton Club is a Chinese badminton club which plays in the China Badminton Super League.

Motorsport

The IndyCar Series signed a contract with the Qingdao city council to hold an IndyCar race in Qingdao in 2012. The subsequently canceled race was supposed to take place on a 6.23 km (3.87 mi) street circuit[60][61]

Soccer

Due to the city's position as a training center for dozens of prominent players such as Qu Bo, Zheng Long, Yu Dabao, Liu Jian and Jiang Ning, Qingdao is recognized as one of China's "soccer cities." However, due to lack of investment, the city's potential for training future stars has been reduced.

Qingdao Jonoon F.C. was founded in 1993, and is one of the founding members of the Chinese professional soccer league's second division. They won the championship in their first season in 1994 and were promoted to the Chinese Jia-A League. In 1995, they finished 11th (out of a total 12 teams) and were relegated from the top league. Only one year later, after finishing as runner-up in the second-division, they returned to the top league. They have been part of Chinese Super League from its inauguration in 2004. In 2013, they were relegated to the China League One and in 2016 relegated to the China League Two.

Qingdao Huanghai F.C. was established on 29 January 2013. In their first season in the Chinese Football Association Division Two League, they finished the first in league and got to the China League One. Up to 13 June 2016, they had been on the first and had a great chance to get into the Super League after the season. Fans in China called them "Chinese Barcelona" due to their usage of red and blue as club colors.

Surfing

Due to its temperate climate, Qingdao is one of the few cities in northern China where surfing is possible. The best surfing season is during the typhoon season (June–October). The south oriented beaches of Qingdao are the most appropriate to receive swells. Shinan and Laoshan districts are reported to have the best wave and wind orientation.

Sister cities

Qingdao has 25 sister cities.[62]

CityCountryYear of Agreement
Acapulco Mexico1985
Adelaide[63] Australia2014
Bilbao Spain2004
Daegu South Korea1993
Galway Ireland1999
Iloilo City Philippines2003
Klaipėda Lithuania2004
Long Beach United States1985
Makassar IndonesiaN/A
Mannheim Germany2016
Miami United States2005
Montevideo Uruguay2004
Nantes France2005
Nes Ziyyona Israel1997
North Shore City New Zealand2008
Odessa Ukraine1993
Paderborn Germany2003
Perm Russia2003
Puerto Montt Chile1999
Sankt Petersburg Russia2006
Shimonoseki Japan1979
Southampton United Kingdom1998
Velsen Netherlands1998
Vila Velha Brasil2009
Wilhelmshaven Germany1992

See also

Notes
  1. See German East Asia Squadron, Battle of Coronel and Battle of the Falkland Islands for fleet engagements.

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