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July 25, 2025
7 viewsQingdao 7-Day Family Food Tour: A Perfect Encounter with Beer and Seafood
An in-depth exploration of Qingdao's historic districts, mountain and sea landscapes, and authentic cuisine to create a luxurious family-friendly trip.
Qingdao Travel GuideFamily TravelFoodie TourMid-range Budget
Quick Overview
Chinese Name: 青岛
Location: Eastern Shandong Province, China
Famous For: Beer Culture,German Architecture,Laoshan Taoist Culture,Seaside Resort
Daily Cost: $150-200 USD/Family
Best Season: June-August for seaside vacation, September-October for Beer Festival
Introduction: The Charm of Qingdao
Qingdao blends German colonial history with the vitality of a coastal city, famous for its unique Badaguan Scenic Area, the Taoist holy land of Laoshan Mountain, and the world-renowned Qingdao Beer Museum. It offers both magnificent natural landscapes and streets full of European charm, making it a perfect destination for family travel.
Best time to visit Qingdao
Ideal Seasons: Summer for seaside activities & Autumn for the beer festival
🌱Spring: Spring has moderate temperatures (10-20°C), ideal for visiting the Qingdao Beer Museum and Qingdao Polar Ocean World while avoiding peak tourist season.
☀️Summer: Summer (25-30°C) is the beach season, perfect for enjoying Shilaoren Bathing Beach and the International Beer Festival. Booking seaside accommodation is recommended.
🍁Autumn: Autumn (18-25°C) has pleasant weather. The autumn beer festival offers special edition beers, and it's suitable for outdoor activities like Laoshan Mountain Cycling.
❄️Winter: Winter is colder (0-8°C), but you can experience local festivals, and restaurants offer winter specialties like Mutton Hotpot with Beer.
Arriving and leaving Qingdao
Subway (Line 3 connects the airport and train station), buses, taxis (starting fare ¥9), and shared bikes. For families, ride-hailing services or car rentals (approx. ¥300/day) are recommended.
Qingdao Liuting International Airport [Closed]
Qingdao Liuting Airport is closed. The new airport is Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport (TAO). It is 60 km from the city center. A taxi costs about ¥300 (1 hour), and the airport bus is ¥30 (1.5 hours). It offers international flight services.
Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport [Recommended]
The new airport is located in Jiaozhou City, 70 km from the city center. A taxi costs about ¥350 (1.2 hours), and the airport express is ¥35 (1.5 hours). It offers flights to major cities worldwide.
Qingdao Railway Station
The main railway station, with high-speed trains connecting to Beijing (3.5 hours) and Shanghai (6 hours). A taxi to the city center is about ¥50 (20 minutes), with direct access via Subway Line 3.
Where to stay in Qingdao: Best Neighborhood
Shinan District
Close to Zhanqiao Pier, Qingdao Beer Museum, and May Fourth Square. Recommended hotels include Qingdao Shangri-La Hotel (family suites with buffet breakfast) and Hilton Qingdao Golden Beach.
Laoshan District
Close to Laoshan Mountain and Shilaoren Bathing Beach. Recommended hotels include InterContinental Qingdao Laoshan (with a kids' club) and Sheraton Laoshan Resort.
Top Things to do in Qingdao
Zhanqiao Pier
A landmark of Qingdao, where you can see the Huilan Pavilion and seagulls. The winter snow scene is particularly beautiful.
Qingdao Beer Museum
Free entry, offering an exhibition on beer history and free tastings. Recommended to buy Beer Ice Cream as a souvenir.
Laoshan Mountain
A Taoist holy land. A one-day tour of the east route is recommended: Taiqing Palace → Qinglong Cave → Shiliu Pool. The round-trip cable car is about ¥90.
Tips
Book tickets for Qingdao Polar Ocean World in advance to avoid queues. A weekend family ticket is about ¥380.
What to eat: Qingdao food Guide
Recommended Restaurants
1. Qingdao Royal Restaurant
A one-Michelin-star restaurant offering modern-style seafood cuisine. The Abalone with Beer Sauce is a must-try. A family set menu is about ¥800.
2. German Village Biergarten
Located in a century-old German building, serving authentic German sausages and Qingdao beer. The Sausage Platter + Homemade Beer Soup is recommended. Average cost is ¥150 per person.
3. Fisherman's Wharf Seafood
Freshly shucked seafood with an open kitchen experience. Live Sea Urchin and Spicy Clams are recommended. Average cost is ¥200 per person.
Signature Dishes
1. Steamed Seafood with Beer
A local specialty. It's recommended to have it freshly caught and prepared at Xiao Yushan Seafood Market, paired with Qingdao Original Draft Beer.
2. Grilled Squid with Chili
A must-try snack at the night market. The secret sauce from the vendors at Shilaoren Night Market is highly recommended.
3. Beer Noodles
A local breakfast dish made with beer-fermented dough, served with braised egg and spicy cabbage. Baihe Dumpling House is a recommended place to try it.
Qingdao itinerary 7 Days
DAY 1
Arrival at Qingdao Jiaodong Airport:Airport pickup service, about a 1-hour drive to the city center.
🥗Lunch at German Village Biergarten:Enjoy German sausages and Qingdao beer in a century-old building.
Visit Badaguan Scenic Area:Stroll through European-style streets and visit Kong Yiji's Former Residence.
Sunset at Zhanqiao Pier:Watch the sunset at Huilan Pavilion and capture the city skyline.
🍽️Dinner at Fisherman's Wharf Seafood:Taste freshly shucked seafood and beer ice cream.
DAY 2
🍳Breakfast at Baihe Dumpling House:Try beer noodles and spicy cabbage dumplings.
Visit Qingdao Beer Museum:Free visit to the historical exhibition area and participate in interactive tasting.
🥗Lunch at Tsingtao Craft Beer Bar:Taste fresh draft beer and a snack platter.
Explore Beer Square:Participate in open-air activities during the Autumn Beer Festival.
🍽️Dinner at Qingdao Royal Restaurant:Enjoy a Michelin-starred seafood dinner.
DAY 3
🍳Breakfast at hotel:Hotel buffet breakfast.
Drive to Laoshan Mountain:Rent a car to go up the mountain, passing Taiping Temple.
Visit Taiqing Palace:Visit the Taoist temple complex and participate in a blessing ceremony.
🥗Lunch at Laoshan Tea House:Taste Laoshan green tea and vegetarian dishes.
Hike to Qinglong Cave:Hike to the Dragon's Saliva Waterfall and enjoy the coastline.
🍽️Return to hotel and dinner:Check into a Laoshan resort and enjoy dinner with a mountain view.
DAY 4
🍳Breakfast at resort:Resort buffet breakfast.
Visit Shilaoren Bathing Beach:Beach activities, try kitesurfing (rental approx. ¥300/hour).
🥗Lunch at Coastal Restaurant:Taste seafood barbecue and cold beer.
Explore Qingdao Polar Ocean World:Watch penguin and beluga whale shows, suitable for family outings.
🍽️Dinner at Seaside Fish Market:Pick fresh seafood for cooking, approx. ¥180 per person.
DAY 5
🍳Breakfast at hotel:Hotel breakfast.
Visit Qingdao Art Museum:Free admission to learn about local history and art.
🥗Lunch at Local Baozi Restaurant:Try Qingdao's specialty meat buns and multigrain porridge.
Stroll at May Fourth Square:Visit the Qingdao Municipal Government Building and the musical fountain.
🍽️Dinner at Rooftop Bar with View:Enjoy fusion cuisine at a high-rise restaurant overlooking the city's night view.
DAY 6
🍳Breakfast at Local Market:Experience the morning market and buy local ingredients.
Visit Dabaodao Cultural Street:Visit the renovated old courtyards and participate in intangible cultural heritage crafts.
🥗Lunch at Xiao Yushan Seafood Market:Choose fresh seafood and have it cooked by the restaurant.
Shopping at Taodonglu Walking Street:Buy souvenirs like Beer Soap and Seaweed Snacks.
🍽️Farewell Dinner at Rooftop Restaurant:Enjoy a farewell dinner and look back on the trip.
DAY 7
🍳Breakfast at hotel:Enjoy the last breakfast in Qingdao.
Visit Qingdao Textile Valley:Visit the transformed industrial heritage site and buy beer-themed souvenirs.
🥗Lunch at Airport:Have lunch at a restaurant in the terminal.
Departure:The flight departs, concluding an unforgettable trip to Qingdao.
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