Shandong Province is situated in the eastern part of China on the lower reaches of the Yellow River.The province has a total area of 156,000 square kilometers (about 60,235 square miles) and a total population of over 90 million. Shandong Province is frequently affected by marine monsoons, especially during the summer time. The climate is characterized by rain during the summer and autumn and a dry winter.
   Qingdao is situated at the foot of Lao Shan Mountain and on the shore of the Yellow Sea. It belongs to the monsoon climate. Four seasons are divided clearly. Spring comes about one month later than China's inland regions. Summer is humid, hot and rainy. Autumn is the best time to travel Qingdao.

Tourism
Taishan Mountain
   The leader of the 'Five Sacred Mountains', Mt. Tai is located in the center of Shandong Province, lying across the cities of Tai'an, Jinan and Zibo. It extends from 150 to 1,545 metres above sea level and covers an area of 426 square kilometres at its base.Its main peak, Jade Emperor Summit, which is within Tai'an City, is about 1532.7 meters (5,029 feet) high.
   Taishan Mountain is a natural museum abounding with cultural relics and artworks. Heavenly Queen Pool, Red Gate Palace, Mid-Heaven Gate, Azure Cloud Temple are powerful examples. Stone carvings include the Buddhist Diamond Sutra in Jing Shi Valley, the Scripture of Mt. Tai and the Mo Ya Tablet.Besides historic relics, Mount Taishan boasts unique natural scenery too. The four wonders of the mountain are Sunrises from the East, the Sunset Glow, the Sea of Clouds and the Golden Belt along the Yellow River.
Zhan Bridge
   0.3 miles from Qingdao Railway Station, Zhan Bridge (trestle in Chinese), a Qingdao landmark, welcomes travelers at their first stop in this beautiful coastal city.
   Originally built in 1891 as a naval pier, Zhan Bridge is 440-meter (1444-foot) long and 10-meter (33-foot) wide with giant granite supports. Lotus-shaped lamps provide illumination and decoration. At the south end of the bridge is a Chinese style octagon pavilion standing in contrast to European buildings in the background. Qingdao Bay is crescent shaped; like an arrow, the bridge shoots into the broad sea.
International Beer Town 
   Qingdao International Beer Town is called the largest international beer metropolis in Asia. And its area is 35 hectares and has two function regions. the south function region is for entertainment and the north function region is a synthesis one.
   It is here that many of the festival's performances take place. The area also contains a number of shops and restaurants, catering for a variety of tastes. In 2006 two other venues - the Huiquan Plaza and Dengzhoulu Beer Street - were added in an attempt to bring the celebrations to a wider audience.
Golden Sand Beach
   Golden Sand Beach (Jinshatan in Pin Yin) is situated in the southeast of Phoenix Island (Xuejia Dao) in Qingdao and is close to the Bohai Sea. The beach stretches from east to west like a crescent. Its claim to fame as 'The No.1 Beach in Asia' is due to its soft, golden sand. Jinshatan is about 3,500 meters (2 miles) long and 300 meters (0.1 miles) wide. 
   Golden Sand Beach is endowed with appealing sceneries. Golden sand, white clouds, blue sea and fantastic reefs make up a beautiful picture. It can be divided into seven areas: exhibition area, sports area, children's land, seashore entertainment area, bathing area, beach leisure area and shopping area.
   To get to Golden Sand Beach, take the ferry from Qingdao Ferry Terminal to Phoenix Island (Xuejia Dao), and then take the No. 4 city bus. Another way is to ferry from Qingdao Ferry Terminal to Huangdao Ferry Terminal, and then take the No.1 or No. 18.

Dining
   Seafood should not be missed in Qingdao. Qingdao seafood has unique flavors, fresh and light, popular with tourists. Every tourist city has its gourmet street; Qingdao is no exception. This kind of streets includes the Yunxiao Road Gourmet Street, Minjiang Road Gourmet Street and Maidao Seafood Street.
   Restaurants on these roads serve fresh seafood such as Fried Spicy Clams, Seafood Wonton, and Roasted Sleeve-Fish. In addition, barbecue, hotpots and dishes from other parts of China are offered here.
Beer
   Qingdao is the home of Tsingtao beer. Tourists can enjoy its unique taste at its place of origin.
Beer: Yingde Beer House, near Yunxiao Road and behind the Shangri-La Hotel, serves the specialty beer preferred by many.

Shopping
   Many goods await your exploration: seashell carving, seafood products, seashells, Laoshan mineral water, Laoshan Cola, Tsingtao beer and Korean products from the many shops and restaurants.
   Products abound in Korean City, including clothes; there is a garden for leisure and a children's entertainment garden.
Qingdao Shell Sculpture Factory
   Location: No. 206, Yan'an San Lu, Qingdao
   Longshan Underground Commercial Street
   Location: No. 14, Longshan Road, Qingdao

Transportation
Air
   The Qingdao Liuting International Airport, 36 kilometres away from city centre, is served by 13 domestic and international airlines.Ticket office CAAC: No. 29, Zhongshan Road, at the portal of Hunan Road, near Zhan Bridge
   Airport Inquiry Number: 0532-96567
Train
   Qingdao Railway Station is located at No. 2, Tai'an Road, near the Zhan Bridge (Zhanqiao).
You can hail a taxi in the street outside the railway station square rather than in the parking lot.
Taxis
   Taxis are a useful and convenient way to get around Qingdao. The main models are Santana and Jetta, starting fee is RMB￥7. Also, there's a small number of Passat and Red Flag, starting fee is RMB￥10. The colour for cars of Yiqing Company is dark red, Zhongqing Company is mint green, Jiaoyun Company is fashion green, Huaqing Company is sky blue and others is fortune green.