Qingdao is most famous for its internationally renowned beer that locals drink out of plastic bags. But this city on the eastern coast of China has more to offer, with its mountain, sea and urban skyline. Qi Jie has more details.

The people of Qingdao say visitors should sample four things: the Laoshan Mountain, the sea, the urban life and beer served in bags.

Laoshan Mountain stands by the East China Sea on the southeastern coastline of the Shandong Peninsula. It is known as one of the birthplaces of Taoism. Laoshan's rich and mysterious Taoist culture has attracted royals and ministers, monks and scholars throughout history, even the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang is said to have sought immortality here. As the highest coastal mountain in China, Laoshan has become a perfect sanctuary for hermits and monks to live in seclusion and practice their rituals.

There's an old saying: "Where there's a mountain, there's water". The Yellow Sea nourished the port of Qingdao which is now one of the ten busiest ports in the world. In 2017, trade between Qingdao and SCO countries alone reached 6.3 billion US dollars, ten percent more than the previous year.

Qingdao's skyline is referred to as blue sky, white clouds, blue sea and red roofs. But the city was a witness to a key moment in China's modern history. In 1919, the May Fourth Movement of anti-imperialism, nationalism and cultural identity in China was as a watershed in China's modern history. Today, the city is one of six "golden cities" in China named by the World Bank based on factors including investment climate and government effectiveness.

Internationally, Qingdao is best known for the brewery founded by a German-British joint venture in 1903. But beer served in plastic carrier bags is a purely local custom. Every August since 1991, an annual beer festival attracts millions of beer lovers from all over the world. Great brewing techniques enrich the flavor of beers, while this different way of drinking beer has also helped to nurture the city's tourism industry.

QIJIE, CGTN