QINGDAO

When you hear Qingdao, the first thing that may come to mind is beer. The Tsingtao Brewery on the central eastern side of the city is certainly a tourism highlight, but the city of nearly 6 million residents has much more to offer, with everything from seafood to cathedrals.
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Qingdao has a unique German heritage, which is evident in it's architectural style featuring a blend of modern high rises and red tiled villas. The city is built on hills that lend themselves to nature trails and scenic viewpoints. Consider heading up to Signal Hill Park for city views and a prime vantage point to see the St. Michael’s Cathedral and the German Governor's House.  
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A walk down Zhongshan Road is a must-do for adventure eaters and curious minds. This narrow street is lined with food vendors. While you can buy dumplings, soup, and other familiar foods, you will also see unique Chinese delicacies ranging from starfish to scorpions. Even if you don’t fancy eating fresh urchin from the shell, it is fascinating to see what the locals are munching on. 
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The cruise port is located 3 mi / 5 km from the downtown area, and often cruise lines will offer shuttle services. However, like other Chinese ports, Qingdao is a massive, spread out city where stepping of the shuttle with a “what now?” mentality isn’t advised if you want to maximize the day. Be sure to have an offline map and language translator downloaded (watch our best options here) along with a plan! 
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Important Note: the Qingdao Cruise Terminal is one of the longest in the world, and the distance from stepping off the gangway and onto a tour or shuttle bus is close to mile. Refer to the photos below for a visual reference. However, often your journey can be broken up with fresh Tsingtao beer half way through your walk!