3 Days to Explore Qingdao's Must-See Attractions! A Nanny-Level Summer Escape Guide

🌊 Summer means heading to the seaside to enjoy the cool 20-degree weather. Having lived in Qingdao for 4 years, I recommend this 3-day, 2-night nanny-level travel guide. 🗺️ Itinerary​ Day 1: Zhanqiao Pier → University Road Instagram Wall → Xiaoyushan Park → Taiping Mountain Cableway → Second Beach Seawall → Lover’s Dam / Third Beach (Light Show) Zhanqiao Pier is less crowded in the early morning, offering stunning sea views and the chance to dig for little crabs🦀 The University Road Instagram Wall is perfect for photos, with a 100% chance of great shots! Nearby Longjiang Road also has many popular photo spots~ Xiaoyushan Park offers a panoramic view of the old town’s red roofs and green trees, with breathtaking scenery. Free admission, just scan the code to book~ The Taiping Mountain Cableway doubles the romance—ride it with someone special and feel Qingdao’s charm💕 The Second Beach seawall is great for photos; every shot looks like a masterpiece~ In the evening, head to Lover’s Dam or Third Beach to watch the light show, which is magnificent and stunning! Day 2: Shilaoren Beach → Shazikou → Xiaomai Island Park → Yan’er Island Park → Qinyu Road → Taidong Pedestrian Street Watch the sunrise🌅 at Shilaoren Beach—absolutely breathtaking! Remember to check the sunrise time in advance~ Shazikou resembles Italy’s Cinque Terre, perfect for photos and a must-visit for artsy travelers! Xiaomai Island is surrounded by the sea with beautiful scenery, ideal for walking and photography~ Yan’er Island Park offers a pleasant seaside walk and you can often see many newlyweds taking wedding photos👰🏻 Qinyu Road is perfect for watching the sunset and evening glow; the setting sun is mesmerizing~ In the evening, visit Taidong Pedestrian Street for snacks, where you’ll find all kinds of delicious food to satisfy your taste buds~ Day 3: Laoshan Qingshan Fishing Village → Laoshan’s Most Beautiful Coastal Road Laoshan Qingshan Fishing Village is truly stunning, like a hidden paradise. The scenery here will make you reluctant to leave~ Don’t miss Laoshan’s most beautiful coastal road. Whether driving or cycling, the views along the way are breathtaking! 🏠 Accommodation Recommendations Near Qingdao Station: Convenient transportation, close to Zhanqiao Pier and other attractions, though the buildings are older. Near May Fourth Square: Great for shopping, accommodation, and transportation, with easy access to the light show at night and many star-rated hotels. Near Taidong Pedestrian Street: A street full of snacks and shops, with many guesthouses offering great value. 🍱 Food Recommendations Hairtail Fish Dumplings: A Qingdao specialty, with chewy dumpling skins and fresh, tender filling—super satisfying with every bite! Seafood: Of course, you must eat seafood in Qingdao. I recommend the Yingkou Road Seafood Market, where you can buy fresh seafood and have it cooked next door at the beer house—fresh and delicious~ Wild Wontons: A must-have for Qingdao nightlife, fish broth wontons are tasty and go perfectly with seafood pancakes—amazing! Potstickers: Qingdao’s potstickers are also excellent, with crispy skins and juicy fillings, definitely worth trying~ 🚗 Transportation Guide Metro: Download the "Qingdao Metro" app, which works for both buses and subways, very convenient. From the airport to downtown: Take Line 8 and transfer to Line 3 to go directly to Zhanqiao Pier, which is cheaper than a taxi. Train Station: Qingdao Station is more convenient for travel; exit via Yunnan Road to avoid crowds.