Roaming Qingdao from Shi Laoren to Guangxingli

Starting from Shi Laoren and following the seaside wooden plank road from west to east, it is like a pearl necklace stringing together Qingdao’s landmark scenic spots: Shi Laoren – Xiaomaidao – Lover’s Dam – Taipingjiao Park – Huashi Tower – Badaguan – Xiaoyushan – Zhanqiao – Guangxingli. Sunrise at Shi Laoren. When in Qingdao, one must not miss the sunrise at Shi Laoren. After mid-October, Shi Laoren Bathing Beach in Qingdao is the best place to photograph the sunrise. The location will be slightly different every day and will gradually shift to the southeast. So, look for a shooting position early in the morning. In December, the sunrise time is around seven o’clock, and the blue hour starts at six. With good luck, one can also see the ‘Jesus light’. Another perspective is aerial photography. The rough and masculine beauty becomes the most unique scenery on Qingdao’s coastline. Strolling on Xiaomaidao. This is one of the leisure places that locals are most willing to go to on weekends. It seems ordinary at first glance, but everywhere exudes a tranquil and quiet beauty. Flying to a height of 500 meters and overlooking the entire island, I see the extraordinariness and magic of this city. It is recommended to walk around the island slowly and look around. You will find many unique perspectives. Perhaps it is a tree or perhaps a road that can move you. The only inconvenience is that there is no parking lot. It is recommended to take the subway. Lovers on Lover’s Dam. May lovers be united. On the journey of wind and rain, let the wind and rain endure and remain ever new. This is my beautiful blessing for 12 new couples. On the road of love, it is inevitable to experience wind and rain, but I believe that the power of love can enable them to brave the wind and waves and stick together through thick and thin. On December 12, 12 new couples held their [Love·Sweetness] collective wedding with vows by the sea on Lover’s Dam. As the [Qingdao Oceanic Romance Cultural Tourism Recommended Official], I witnessed this extraordinary and unforgettable moment. What a memorable day and what a ceremonial event. Every new couple can share their joy and happiness with everyone present. The biting cold wind takes away the whispers by their ears and drifts towards a beautiful future; the warm sunshine remembers the bright smiles on their faces and gives a warm life. [Lover’s Dam] located at Qingdao Olympic Sailing Base is a must-visit place for couples. Now, sea cruises have also been opened. The route passes through: Olympic Sailing Center – Xiaomaidao – Qingdao Sculpture Park – National Shi Laoren Scenic Area – Kaolao Island – Laogong Island – Taiqing Bay in Laoshan. Couples can truly experience a journey of braving the wind and waves. Viewing Qingdao from the sea is a very special perspective. Even native Qingdao people like me rarely have such an opportunity. You will find that in addition to the handsome beauty of red tiles and green trees, Qingdao also has the majestic atmosphere of blue sea and green mountains. The same is true for every new couple. From falling in love to getting married, looking at each other from a different perspective. Perhaps you will find that the vows made in the past seem like a mirage, but as long as you focus on the gaze of love, you will find that love is growth, understanding and tolerance.
Sunny afternoon, coffee time. In the sunny afternoon of winter, walk from Huashi Tower to Taipingjiao Park. Enter [C-UP Song Mansion] and have a cup of oat latte. Drink it slowly and wait until the blue hour after the sun sets. The lights slowly come on and snowflakes gently fall. Is this lazy and comfortable afternoon the time you often want to lie flat? In Qingdao, you can spend countless such coffee times, because characteristic cafes scattered in the corners of the city are everywhere. Just like the scenery seen everywhere, some are stunning and seem natural. A romantic and warm city should be like this. Viewing the wind and clouds on Lanchao Pavilion, embracing Tsingcheng in Yongcui Hall. One of the top ten landscapes in Qingdao: Fish Mountain Sea Moon is to watch the moon rise from the sea on Lanchao Pavilion of Qingdao Xiaoyushan. Standing on Xiaoyushan, you can also overlook the beautiful coastline of Qingdao and look at Jülin Mountain on the opposite side. You can also climb up Lanchao Pavilion of Xiaoyushan and overlook Huiquan Bay and Zhanqiao Pier. Looking around in Yongcui Hall, Taiping Mountain, the First Bathing Beach, Zhongshan Park, Huiquan Square, and Qingdao TV Tower are close at hand. Encounter seagulls at Zhanqiao Pier. Seagulls arrive in Qingdao one after another at the end of October every year. They mainly come from Siberia, Heilongjiang and other places and will not leave until April of the next year. Qingdao people have an indissoluble bond with seagulls. In the winter of 1994, Qingdao took the lead in carrying out the “Action to Retain Seagulls” among coastal cities across the country. Qingdao has oceans, wetlands, rivers and lakes, which are very suitable for seagulls to grow. More importantly, people here are very happy to be close to seagulls. Seagulls have a good memory. If people in a place are friendly to them, they will come back again in the next winter. In 1994, there were only black-headed gulls and herring gulls in Qingdao, with only about 2,000. At present, the number of seagulls in Qingdao is about 100,000, and the population has reached 16. The more common ones are black-headed gulls, herring gulls and black-tailed gulls. In 2015, the national first-class protected bird – Relict Gull was discovered for the first time. Black-headed gulls are winter migrants. They forage and breed in the north temperate zone in summer, come to Qingdao for winter in autumn, and fly back to their hometown in spring. While herring gulls and black-tailed gulls stay in Qingdao all year round. Guangxingli tells about its past and present lives. The old city blooms with a new look in the courtyard. What is the soul of a city? It is the people, history and culture here. What can bring these elements together to display? That is these old buildings in the city that are easily forgotten. They are vividly presenting the century-old changes of the city. Located at No. 63 Haibo Road and with a history of a hundred years, Guangxingli combines German architectural style and the characteristics of traditional Chinese quadrangles. It is a typical representative of the courtyard-style buildings in the early stage of Qingdao’s construction and is also the largest existing courtyard at present. It has now become a historical and cultural block and an industrial design innovation center.

I am no stranger to the traditional courtyard houses, as they bear the marks of my first love. My first girlfriend’s family owned an old residence here, where her grandmother and uncle lived until the demolition. During the period of our passionate love, I often accompanied her to visit her elders. Walking through the narrow alleys and stepping into the not-so-spacious courtyards, sunlight pours into the courtyards, and as we climb the stairs, her grandmother would always be sitting in the second-floor room, drinking tea. At first, I found the courtyards unremarkable, but as I would quietly stay for a few minutes, I could feel the rich atmosphere of daily life and the tranquil warmth of human relationships. This sense of ambiance is a unique characteristic of Qingdao, and such ‘old Qingdao’ memories are etched in many people’s minds. I am delighted that these memories have returned, not just recalling a story or an emotion, but also a deep love and sentiment for this city. This is a golden route that takes about two to three days to leisurely explore. Qingdao is a city that moves at a slower pace than most, and I appreciate this rhythm. Have you ever had beautiful imaginations and expectations for love? Have you ever considered embarking on an oceanic romance journey with your partner? The splendid and charming coastline is much like your extraordinary emotional journey, with each wave that rises as if telling your love story.

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