Small Qingdao Island

Small Qingdao Island is an island in Qingdao. It is located in the South East of Zhan Qiao pier. The shape of the island was like a Guqin (a musical instrument of ancient China), so the island was also called Qin Island. It is an important resort of the Qingdao Coastal Scenic Area. It is a great place to enjoy ocean views and to soak up an island atmosphere. At one time it was an isolated island about 720 meters (787 yards) off shore but in the 1940s a seawall was built, connecting it to the mainland.

Xiao Qing Dao was a restricted military area until 1987. During the German occupation in 1900, they named "Qingdao" for their leased territory, and built a lighthouse on Small Qingdao Island. After 1914, the Japanese attacked Jiaozhou Bay and occupied it, and afterwards they renamed Small Qingdao to "Kato Island". Local people named this island "Small Qingdao" because it is a small island. The area of Xiao Qingdao is 0.024 square kilometers and 17 meters above sea level.

The island is famous for its unspoiled natural scenery, which includes steep rocky outcrops, and a variety of trees, such as cherries, pomegranates and hibiscus. Visitors can either walk along the coastline to enjoy the gentle ocean breeze, and to admire the incredible scenery, or sit on the beach to watch and listen to the gentle waves roll in. There are also statues and pavilions that can be viewed at various locations. This all makes for a delightful island to visit.

Another famous island attraction that adds to the glamour of Small Qingdao Island is the 'beacon'. It was built by the Germans in 1900 and stands 15.5 meters (51 feet) tall. It is built in the shape of an octagon and constructed from white marble. In the sunlight, the tower shines as white as snow while at night the light at the top sparkles like a ruby, guiding ships safely into the bay. When viewed from the sea, the beacon's light flickers and appears to be floating on the waves. The local people consider it to be one of the ten top scenes of Qingdao and call this view 'Floating Light on the Qin Island'.

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Lu Xun Park of Qingdao

Lu Xun Park is a small park in the city of Qingdao. It is dedicated to the memory of Lu Xun, a famous writer during the May Fourth Movement. The park stretches for nearly a kilometer along the Huiquan Bay. It is spread over an area of four hectares. The park is a beautiful blend of natural setting and cultural sites. Popular places like Number One Bathing Beach, Small Qingdao Island and Little Fish Hill are in the park's neighborhood.

It was built in 1929 and was previously known as both "Ruoyu Park" and "Seashore Park". In 1950, in order to commemorate Lu Xun, a great Chinese writer, ideologist and revolutionist, the park received its present name. In October of 1986, a three-meter (9.84 feet) high granite sculpture was erected at the entrance of the park to honor the 50th anniversary of the death of Lu Xun.

The park's main entrance is a beautiful example of craftsmanship. It is a stone archway sheathed in glazed tiles, constructed, like so many other features of the park, as a memorial. The script used to etch the park's name on the gateway is based on Lu Xun's script. Beyond the archway is a captivating world of pine woods, rugged reefs, exquisite pavilions and sea dogs. An undulating, narrow stone path weaves through this setting, providing a welcome relief to seekers of tranquility. One of the park's major highlights is the scene of the ebb and flow of the waves, the boats and birds out in the sea, and watching the moonlight fall on this enchanting park.

Walking along the undulating narrow stone paths which wind through both the rocks and woodland, you will feel both happy and relaxed. Sitting atop the rocks and watching the waves has a unique and lingering charm. The waves bring in magnificent view of billowing; glittering foam and leave with a quiet gentle flow, and in the distance, the sea presents an intriguing view of colorful sails and flying seabirds. Lu Xun Park has become a desired destination for watching the tidal bore and the moon, listening to the waves and fishing.

The park is highly reputed owing to the extraordinary characteristics and many tourist souvenirs of Qingdao City are printed with the enchanting seashore scenery of the park. Moreover, some cultural interests distinguished by the literary works of Lu Xun have been set up here. A 75-meter (246 feet) long corridor is carved with 45 poems written by Lu Xun. A copper embossed portrait relief of Lu Xun is inlayed in the middle of the corridor. Seeing the stately poem corridor and other cultural landscape, visitors will be inspired by Lu Xun and feel the deep cultural atmosphere of the park. What’s more, visitors can have a good time in the Underwater World which is near to Lu Xun Park.

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Qingdao Underwater World-----The First Aquarium in China

Lying to the northeast of famous Luxun Park and to the west of Number One Bathing Beach, Qingdao Underwater World is China's first public aquarium and it is the first underwater world part of which is set completely underwater. It is a large item of modern marine ecology. By means of modern techniques and advantageous geological location, it combines the advantage of the Qingdao Aquarium, Specimen Hall and Freshwater Fish Center, becoming a hot spot for marine ecotourism.

The underwater world consists of several interesting landscapes, including the inter-tidal zones, underwater tunnel, performance hall and exhibition areas. The inter-tidal zones are teeming with many special species, forming a particular ecosystem. Various algae, echinoderms, marine mollusks, arthropods and small amounts of fish are living here. Common marine life like starfish, sea urchins, sea turtles, octopus, crabs and small sharks can be seen; some bright-colored or odd-shaped varieties will bring you a unique and spectacular view! The underwater tunnel breeds thousands of kinds of halo bios worldwide, among them are some rare species. Sauntering in the tunnel, you can see the sharks cruising leisurely in the water, shoals of fishes pulling on the reefs, and still some species staying quietly in the seabed.

Wonderful items, like the dances between human and sharks, sea-maiden exhibitions and underwater ballets are performed in the performance hall. If a new couple is willing to experience an underwater wedding here, they will undoubtedly have an unforgettable memory of this solemn and happy moment. In the large cylindrical exhibition chamber, the colorful corals, various beautiful seaflowers and gorgeous tropical pet fish will fully occupy your eyes. In addition, there are exhibition areas for sea horses, nautilus, lobsters, jellyfish and other marine life.

 

This aquarium is supposed to be the oldest in China and it is pretty big, covering a large area in several buildings and even running under the road. It has a good selection of fish but, as is common here, the tanks are often on the small side (especially for the mammals) and they love their garish lighting. The whole place is pretty well looked-after, though. Life has the most abundant specimens worldwide, displaying over 20,000 specimens of more than 1,950 rare marine lives of China and the world. As the only specimen hall featuring the marine life in China, it also keeps many specimens of endangered species.

The Underwater World has the largest cylindrical jug in the world with 5-meter diameter and a height og 7.5 meters.It will open up before your eyes a magic and colorful underwater world of corals. What's more, the Cross Harbor Tunnel is famous. It is surrounded by water. When you walk through it, some fish may swim beside you and you may feel as if you are walking in the real ocean. It is fantastic.

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Mt. Laoshan

Facing the Yellow Sea, Mt. Laoshan is located to the east of Qingdao. This tall and majestic mountain is famous for its marvelous mountainous scenery and coastal landscape. It also holds significant importance in Taoism. Mt Laoshan is the most recognized mountain of all mountains on the coast of China. Thus it is a must to see when traveling in Qingdao.

As the only mountain rises by the sea among all famous Chinese mountains, the Lao Mountain of Qingdao is the main mountain range of Shandong Peninsular. Its main peak, Jufeng Peak, 1132.7 meters above the sea level, is celebrated as the highest peak in China along the coastline. Surrounded by an 87-kilometer coastline, Mt. Laoshan offers marvelous spectacle on the sea with majestic peaks, precipitous gorges, limpid waters, fancy clouds and the beautiful sea with 18 islets.

 

Being a famed Taoist mountain in China, Laoshan Mountain once had 72 Taoist temples housing thousands of Taoist priests in its hey day in the history. Legend has it that Qin Shi Huang (259-210B.C. the first emperor of Qin Dynasty), Emperor Wu of Han Dynasty (156-87B.C.) once came to Lao Mountain to seek for immortality; moreover, the famous Taoist Kiu Chang Chun and Zhang Sanfeng (the Tai-chi Master) were once cultivated Taoism in Mount Laoshan. Most of the temples were destroyed while the Taiqing Temple is the largest reserved and the oldest one in Laoshan today.

Inscribed a national 5A scenic area, the Laoshan Mountain mainly includes scenic areas of Jufeng (Ju Peak, the summit of Lao Mountain), Liuqing (the best site for sea view), Taiqing (the most famous Taoist temple in Laoshan), Qipanshi (with great Buddhist features), Yangkou (beach resort), Beijiushui (gorge scenery of waters and peaks), and Hualou Peak (with granite laying style).

We choose two of them to give you a brief introduction. Jufeng Peak is the highest as well as the most precipitous peak in Laoshan Mountain, it has a height of 1132.7 meters. It is famous for three wonders, the sea of clouds, the morning sun and the colorful “fireballs” over the clouds. In particularly, the wonder of the morning sun was considered the top of 12 Laoshan Mount Scenes. Moreover, the Ju Peak is said one of the best sites for the earliest sun rising in China.

Hualou Peak is a square stone peak with a height of over 30 meters. Consisting of layer upon layer rocks and prominent just like a Huabiao (ornamental columns erected in front of palaces or tombs), the peak also called Huabiao Peak. It is one of the Three Bizarre Stones in Mount Laoshan, and was said to have close relationship with the Tai-chi Master

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The First Bathing Beach-----Once the Best Beach in Eastern Asia

The First Bathing Beach, also called Huiquan Bathing Beach, is a 580-meter-long and over 40-meter-wide sand beach located in Huiquan Bay in Qingdao. Once it is the largest bathing beach in Asia, the beach can accommodate tens of thousands of people at a time. As a bathing beach, the First Bathing Beach enjoys superior natural conditions with beautiful sceneries. It is embraced on three sides by green hills; it has clear water, gentle wave, flat beach, slow slope and soft sands.

The beach was first built in 1901 by the Germans after they invaded Qingdao. At that time, it was a famous entertainment place in East Asia but it was only open to foreigners. In 1984 and 2003, the local government repaired and expanded the place on a large scale. The beach took on a new look: it was enlarged and more public service facilities were constructed. The bathing beach is divided into a swimming zone and non-swimming zone. The neighboring spots include Huiquan Square, the Naval Museum and Lu Xun Park.

At present, the beach covers an area of 3.6 hectares (8.9 acres) and is well equipped. Colorful chalets built in various shapes lead visitors into a fairytale world. More than 900 showers are provided. Restaurants, ballrooms, bars, cafes and temporary chalets are all available. Emergency life-saving equipment has been improved. A security monitoring system covers the whole beach. Combined with the broadcasting, lighting and background music systems it ensures the security of visitors.

Qingdao is a city warm in winter and cool in summer; it has only several days with a higher temperature more than 30 Celsius degree. Therefore, Qingdao is served as one of the best summer resorts in the country, attracting many a family or group from all directions each year. It is a vivid fascinating scene in midsummer on the beach- the refreshing dressing, multicolored swimsuits, rows of beach umbrellas, the joyous people in the water…Even in winter, the beach is never lonesome with visitors and winter swimmers.

Surrounded on three sides by mountains, the beach is like the pearl of Huiquan Bay. The gentle slope and mild waves make the place a comfortable play area. Visitors can sunbathe here and swim near the coast, relaxing by playing volleyball or running on the sand and even dining on it. The region's comfortable weather makes it a good choice to avoid the summer heat. Even in winter this place is crowded with keen swimmers.
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Shou Qiu and Shaohao Tomb

Shou Qiu is a historical site on the eastern outskirts of the city of Qufu in Shandong Province. According to the legend, Shou Qiu is the birthplace of the Yellow Emperor.

The site features two giant turtle-borne steles with a small lake between them. The western stele is known as the "Qing Shou" Stele ("Celebrate Longevity Stele"); the eastern stele as the "Wan Ren Chou" Stele ("Sorrow of Ten Thousand Stele"), supposedly because it took so many people to move it. The site's memorial to the Yellow Emperor was built in 1012 CE, during the Xuanhe era of the Huizong Emperor of the Song Dynasty.The steles were also carved on site during the time, but were left lying on the ground unfinished, because the Song Dynasty lost control of the area to the invading Jurchens in the Jin–Song wars.

With more than 16 metres in height, the steles are among the tallest in China. The "Wan Ren Chou" Stele, which (including the turtle base and the dragon crown) is 16.95 m tall, 3.75 m wide, 1.14 m thick, and weighs 250 tons, is often said to be the largest blank stele in China.

Another famous site in Qufu is Shaohao Tomb. The Shaohao Tomb is a pyramid shaped monument located in the north-east of Jiuxian Village, on the eastern outskirts of the city of Qufu in Shandong Province. The monument honors Shaohao, the son of the first mythical Chinese emperor (the Yellow Emperor) and one of the mythical five emperors himself. The monument is unique in China because of its pyramid-shaped stone construction. It consists of a tomb mount that has been covered with stone slabs during the reign of the Song Dynasty emperor Huizong in 1111 CE. The entire pyramid is 28.5 meters wide and 8.73 meters high. On its flat top stands a small pavilion that houses a statue of Shao Hao. The tomb stands inside a compound with many old trees, chiefly thujas planted on the orders of the emperor Qianlong, who visited the site in 1748.

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Temple of Confucius

The Temple of Confucius in Qufu, Shandong Province is the "original", largest and most famous of the temples of Confucius in China and East Asia. Since 1994, the Temple of Confucius has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Temple and Cemetery of Confucius and the Kong Family Mansion in Qufu". The two other parts of the site are the nearby Kong Family Mansion and the Cemetery of Confucius.

Confucianism has had the most enduring and profound effect over Chinese culture. As time went on, Confucius became respected as a sage, and the temples to Confucius were built as a landmark for all of China. The temple complex is among the largest in China; it covers an area of 16,000 square metres and has a total of 460 rooms. The Temple of Confucius is a group of grand buildings built in oriental style. Together with the Summer Palace in Beijing and the Mountain Resort of Chengde, the Temple of Confucius in Qufu is one of the three largest ancient architectural complexes in China. Because the last major redesign following the fire in 1499 took place shortly after the building of the Forbidden City in the Ming Dynasty, the architecture of the Temple of Confucius resembles that of the Forbidden City in many ways.

The main part of the temple consists of 9 courtyards arranged on a central axis, which is oriented in the north-south direction and is 1.3 km in length. The first three courtyards have small gates and are planted with tall pine trees, they serve an introductory function. The first (southernmost) gate is named "Lingxing Gate" after a star in the Great Bear constellation; the name suggests that Confucius is a star from heaven. The buildings in the remaining courtyards form the heart of the complex. They are impressive structures with yellow roof-tiles (otherwise reserved for the emperor) and red-painted walls; they are surrounded by dark-green pine trees to create a color contrast with complementary colors. It mainly consists of these three parts.

Dacheng Hall

Dacheng means master with great achievement, which truly describes Confucius. Dacheng Hall is the main hall of the Temple at its core. This hall is 24.8 meters (81feet) high on a base of 21 meters (69 feet), and is the highest building in the Temple as well as being one of the three largest ancient halls in China.

Apricot Altar

Located in front of the Dacheng Hall, Apricot Altar is said to be where Confucius preached. The Altar is surrounded by red fences with hills behind them. One finely decorated pavilion has a painted dragon and a stele engraved with Emperor Qianlong's handwriting.

Kuiwen Pavilion

Kuiwen Pavilion, a library, is in the middle of the Temple. Kuixing was the legendary star responsible for literacy in ancient China. A famous wooden pavilion, Kuiwen Pavilion was daintily designed with two stories. The upper story houses classic books and writings given by emperors and kings while the lower story houses items used by the emperors when offering sacrifices to Confucius.
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