Qingdao, a coastal city in Shandong Province, eastern China, will be hosting the joint celebration of the 70th anniversary of the People's Liberation Army Navy on April 23, 2019.  

Sitting on the coastline of China's Huanghai, the Yellow Sea, the city has long had rich naval culture and beautiful ocean scenery, for which we recommend the following three destinations, all around the Qingdao Bay in the Yellow Sea, perfect for scheduling a day's trip.

The Chinese Navy Museum

The Naval Museum in Qingdao is the only military museum in China that fully reflects the development of the Chinese Navy. It has the Little Qingdao Park and the Zhanqiao Pier to its west. The museum covers over 40,000 square meters. It officially opened to the public on October 1, 1989.

The museum houses an indoor exhibition hall, a military equipment exhibition area, and a marine exhibition area in the sea. The indoor exhibition hall displays more than 1,200 pictures of Chinese Navy in ancient times and modern times and the history of People's Navy, including their costumes, badges, equipment and more than 230 precious gifts from friendly exchanged between the Chinese Navy and those of other nations. The other two areas mainly display retired small and medium-sized ships, aircraft, missiles, cannons, underwater weapons, observing equipment and amphibious tanks.

Little Qingdao

The original name of the island was Qingdao, “qing” meaning green and turquoise, and “dao” island, as it was covered with lush greenery. The city of Qingdao borrowed this name after its establishment in 1929 and named itself after this island.

The island is only 720 meters from the coast, with an elevation of only 17.2 meters and an area of only 0.012 square kilometers. In 1988, the island was designated as a tourist spot in Qingdao, with the name of "Little Qingdao." The island has various types of plants and blossoms including pines, cherry, peach, pomegranate, hibiscus, crape myrtle and others.

Zhanqiao Pier

In a way, the Zhanqiao Pier is the extension of Zhongshan Road into the ocean, as these two segments are on the same line. Zhongshan Road is an old-time commercial street in Qingdao with a history of more than 100 years. It is still one of the most prosperous areas of Qingdao's old city part. 

The Huilan Pavilion is located at the tip of the pier, looking over the Little Qingdao across the water. It is a perfect spot to enjoy the beautiful and holistic view of Qingdao Bay as well as the architectures surrounding the bay.

Travel tips

The three scenic spots are very near to each other. 

To get to the Chinese Navy Museum or the Little Qingdao Park, take M3 Metro Line and get off at Renmin Huitang Station.

To get to the Zhanqiao Pier, take M3 Metro Line and get off at QingdaoStation. 

There is a 3-minute shuttle by water that takes you from Zhanqiao to Little Qingdao Park.