Here’s a suggested itinerary for a weekend trip to the Huangdao Development Zone, which includes the Qingdao Kaifaqu and Xuejiadao. Now that the tunnel and bridge connect Qingdao and Huangdao, check out destinations on the other side of the Jiaozhou Bay from Qingdao, such as Golden Sand Beach, Rona Cafe, Catch 22, and the Huangdao Jusco.
Day 1
9 am
Bus from the Qingdao Train Station to Golden Sand Beach (金沙滩) in Huangdao through China’s longest tunnel. The journey under the tunnel takes only eight minutes and brings you 82m below sea level.
9:30 am-12 noon
Enjoy Golden Sand Beach (金沙滩). Famous for its beautiful sands that appear to have small flecks of gold sparkling in the sun.
12 noon – 1:30 pm
Lunch at Cafe Rona or hot pot on the first floor. These restaurants are right on Golden Sand Beach with splendid views of the ocean.
1:30 pm – 2:00 pm
Huangdao bus number 18 from Golden Sand Beach to Jia Jia Yuan supermarket or bus number 4 from Golden Sand Beach to Shi Ji Shang Cheng (世纪商城)
2:00 pm-5:30 pm
Shopping at Huangdao Jusco, Mykal, Liqun, Jia Jia Yuan and Duo Yuan. Duo Yuan is a collection of small shops somewhat like Jimo Lu in Qingdao for a true Chinese shopping adventure. Don’t forget to bargain! Another attraction near the downtown Kaifaqu area is Ma Hao Park, a couple blocks north of Jusco on Jinggangshan Lu (井冈山路).
5:30pm -7:00 pm
Dinner at Kuan Song Huo Guo (宽松火锅) hot pot on Alishan Road( 阿里山路). Classy hot pot restaurant, a good value and they make their own dumplings.
7:00pm – 8:30 pm
Coffee at Mandeling also on Alishan Road. Nice little coffee shop in town with personality, not a big chain which are all the same like Starbucks (but if you like Starbucks, there’s one in the Huangdao Jusco on Changjiang Lu across from the Mykal).
8:30 pm – 10:30 pm
Drinks at Catch 22 Bar & Lounge (二十二酒吧) on Wuyishan Road (武夷山路) behind the Haidu Hotel (海都大酒店后面). Open for 5 years, this western style bar features free pool and foosball as well as sports on a 1.8 M tall big screen. Good place to meet foreigners living in Huangdao.
10:30 pm (or later)
Arrive at your hotel. Pack very light (if at all) for just one’s nights stay. Reliable and inexpensive chains including Hanting Express, 7 Days, Home Inn, and Jinjiang Inn all have locations in the downtown Kaifaqu area. The Thank Hotel (Xiang Ke You/向客游酒店) has larger rooms for a little more money. It’s on Wuyishan Lu south of the bars next to Qian Xi Long apartments.
Day 2
9:00 am – 12:00 am
Strolling by the bayside park Tang Dao Wan Gong Yuan (唐岛湾公园). This wonderful free park stretches 17 square kilometers along the bay close to downtown. It passes by the Petroleum University of China, one of the top schools in the Qingdao area (part of the nationwide Project 211) and Huangdao’s top university.
12:00 am – 1:30 pm
Lunch at Feng Mao Chuan Cheng (丰茂串城) near Wuyishan Lu across from the north gate of Hai Wan Xing Cheng (海湾星城北门对面). Good, clean BBQ restaurant with sectioned off areas for more privacy.
1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Check out the Government Square Park across from the Huangdao district government building. The large square is a good place for flying kites during the day or watching dancers in the evening. Sailing Club Bar is on the square which is next to the Ibis Hotel.
3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Take the number 1 tunnel bus (隧道1路) from in front of the Huangdao district government bus stop (区政府车站) back to the Qingdao train station. Journey takes about 35-40 minutes.
Relevant Links:
Huangdao Development Zone (Chinese)
Huangdao 114
Catch 22 on Myspace
Golden Sand Beach on Google Maps
Golden Sand Beach on Google Maps (Chinese)
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