Qingdao, known to foreign nationals as Tsingtao, is a breezy seaside city which sits on the Shandong peninsula. It is a world apart from China's drab industrial towns and today is a clean, entrepreneurial and forward thinking city that has been selected as the host for the sailing competitions for the 2008 Olympics.
This beautiful city owes its charm and quaintness to its German legacy. Qingdao came under German rule in 1897 after 2 German missionaries were killed by the Boxers and it remained out of Chinese control until it was handed back in 1922. As you explore Qingdao you cannot fail to see the German influence of cobbled streets, red roof tiles, distinctive stonework and tree-lined avenues.
The easiest way to explore Qingdao is to simply wander around at your leisure. Most of Qingdao's main sights are to be found in the German concession in the southwest of the town that roughly stretches between Tai'an Lu and Xiayu Shan park.
The imposing train station with its belfry was built by the Germans to mark the end of the line they had laid to the provincial capital of Ji'nan.
Jutting out into the Qingdao bay is the 1,444ft (440m) Zhanqiao Pier which is also home to the octagonal Huilai Pavilion that hosts craft exhibitions.
Qingdao's premier shopping street is the busy Zhongshan Lu and to the east of this is St Michael's Church whose twin spires preside over an atmospheric part of town that is filled with steep cobbled streets and iron balconies.
Southeast from St Michael's is the charming Protestant Church which has a distinctive clock tower and a white clock face. This church of sandy yellow walls and red clay tiles was built in 1920 and is open to visitors. Occasionally the 128ft (39m) clock tower is open to visitors and they can climb its steep stairway.
Carry on east to Xinhao Park and you will find the former Governor's residence. It is now the Ying Hotel but once this grand mansion played host to Yuan Shikai and Mao Zedong.
Take a short walk to the south and you will find yourself at the Qingdao Museum. The Qingdao Museum is worth a visit to see its collection of relics which includes several huge stone Buddha statues dating back to AD500 and paintings from the Yuan and Ming eras.
Strolling down Qingdao's waterfront you will pass many beaches. No.1 beach is the busiest and longest beach whilst further east No. 2 beach is the more attractive. The sands of No. 2 beach lead to Huashi Lou which is a stone mansion with a turret that was once the residence of a Russian Aristocrat.
To the north is the Badaguan area, a genteel area known for its villas and sanatoriums that are set amidst charming tree-lined streets.
China's most famous beer, Tsingtao Beer, is brewed in Qingdao at the Tsingtao Brewery. This brewery was built in 1903 by homesick Germans and is the largest brewery in China exporting its beer to over 40 countries.
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