Stayed at Life Hotel in Qingdao, and the aftereffects were amazing
Qingdao 4 days 3 nights|Easy, unhurried itinerary with elders. Qingdao is really perfect for lazy, slow travel. Taxis are super cheap, so make sure to take full advantage when traveling with a group. Except for Laoshan, most places cost around 10 yuan by taxi. This trip, except for Laoshan, we took taxis all the way, keeping a very relaxed pace and leisurely visiting the main attractions.
🏨 Accommodation: May Fourth Square
📅 DAY 1 Arrive at Qingdao Station|Xiaomai Island + Yan'er Island
Arrived at Qingdao Station at noon, checked in, and under the beautiful sunshine, took a taxi straight to Xiaomai Island for 10.5 yuan.
▪️ Xiaomai Island
The full loop around the island is about 2 km, but since the scenery is quite similar, we didn’t do the full loop. We returned via a middle path, about 1 km total, taking 1.5 hours, easy and stress-free.
▪️ Yan'er Island
Very close to Xiaomai Island, only a 6-7 minute taxi ride, 9.2 yuan. I sincerely recommend visiting both! The scenery is completely different. The super long coastal boardwalk is perfect for photos, and you can even walk to the rocks and step into the sea. It’s a small, exquisite spot, and personally, I found it more stunning than Xiaomai Island. Spent 1 hour there, then took a taxi back to the hotel for 10.5 yuan.
📅 DAY 2 Laoshan Day Trip + May Fourth Square Light Show
◼︎ Laoshan
Save a sunny day for Laoshan! The mountain and sea scenery is simply divine.
◼︎ May Fourth Square Light Show
Returned to the hotel from Laoshan around 4 PM, rested a bit, then walked to May Fourth Square in the evening to watch the light show. The light show is very beautiful, but since it loops continuously, 20 minutes is enough.
📅 DAY 3 Old Town Citywalk|Badaguan + Second Beach + Zhanqiao Pier + Signal Hill
▫️ Badaguan
The starting point for exploring Badaguan is Princess Building, a taxi ride costing 11.8 yuan. Wutong Avenue lined with vintage European-style villas stretches along the street, every step is a scenic spot, no need to look for attractions deliberately, every shot is a masterpiece. At the end is the Second Beach, with benches on the seaside boardwalk to sit, watch the sea, and enjoy the sea breeze. Nearby, street performers sing, creating a great atmosphere. Walking along the coast leads to Shihualou. Since the main goal was to enjoy the sea, we didn’t enter these buildings.
▫️ Old Town
Took a taxi directly to Zhanqiao Pier, 11 yuan. The pier was crowded and felt average, but the nearby Old Town was very pleasant to stroll around. There are many old villas, perfect for photos.
▫️ Signal Hill
Took a taxi from Old Town to Signal Hill, 9.2 yuan. Be sure to go up to the observation deck; otherwise, too many trees block the view of the red rooftops. Took a taxi back to the hotel from Signal Hill for 10.8 yuan.
📅 DAY 4 Healing Farewell|Xiaoyu Hill
The high-speed train was at 2 PM this day. The last half-day of the trip was originally planned for casually exploring some small, off-the-beaten-path spots, but Xiaoyu Hill turned out to be a big surprise. Though called a hill, it’s actually a small slope, no pressure for elders at all. Also, there are fewer trees around the observation deck than at Signal Hill, offering an unobstructed view of the red rooftops—this is the Qingdao I had in mind.
Accommodation
🏨Kangaroo Homestay for Qingdao Vacation
Halfway up the hillside in Qingshan Fishing Village, surrounded by a hundred-acre tea garden, secluded by the mountain and sea, with amazing French afternoon tea
🏨SH.MOYE Luxurious Sea & Wild Sea View Hot Spring Homestay
On the cliff edge of Laoshan, facing the mountain and sea, open the door to the beach, with beach barbecues and bonfire parties
🏨Qingdao Yunye Sea View Homestay (Laoshan Scenic Area Branch)
Diaolongzui Village’s mountain and sea framed like a painting, at dusk open the door for a timeless mountain and sea view
🏨Yishan Yisu・Landscape Terrace Designer Boutique Homestay
Qingshan Fishing Village’s secret mountain and sea realm, combining design aesthetics with local charm, terrace with stunning sea views
Other visitors' reviews of Zhanqiao Park
Show More ReviewsDefinitely worth a visit! It's close to the train station and hotels, and you can catch the sunrise when you wake up in the morning. It's also not crowded. We stayed at a hotel right across from the train station, just a few minutes' walk from the pier – fantastic!! Perfect for families with elderly members and children!!