Tsingtao encyclopedia topics

Additional names

Jiāo'ào (): former name during Qing Dynasty.
Qindao (岛, lit. "Stringed Instrument Isle"): additional modern name for the area, refers according to locals to the shape of the coastline.
Tsingtau: German name during concession period and in German language literature.
Tsingtao: western postal name.

Administrative divisions

Early times

Urban Areas	Suburbs
Shinan　市南	Licun　李村
Shibei　市北	Laoshan　崂山
Taixi　台西	Jimo　即墨
Taidong　台东	Jiaozhou　胶州
Sifang　四方
Cangkou　沧口
Haixi　海西

Present time

The sub-provincial city of Qingdao administers 12 county-level divisions, including 7 districts and 5 county-level cities.

English Name	Chinese Name	Area (km²)	Code
Shinan District	市南区	30	370202
Shibei District	市北区	29	370203
Sifang District	四方区	35	370205
Licang District	李沧区	98	370213
Laoshan District	崂山区	389	370212
Huangdao District	黄岛区	277	370211
Chengyang District	城阳区	553	370214
Jiaozhou City	胶州市	1210	370281
Jiaonan City	胶南市	1927	370284
Jimo City	即墨市	1727	370282
Pingdu City	平度市	3166	370283
Laixi City	莱西市	1522	370285

Geography and climate

Qingdao is located at the southern tip of the Shandong Peninsula. It borders three prefecture-level cities, namely Yantai to the northeast, Weifang to the west, and Rizhao to the southwest. The city's total jurisdiction area occupies 10,654km². The geography of the city is relatively flat while mountains spur up nearby. The highest elevation in the area is 1133m above sea level. 15.5% of the total area is highland, while the foothill, plain and lowland areas constitute 25.1%, 37.8% and 21.7%. The city has a 730.64-kilometre coastline. Five significant rivers that flow for more than 50km can be found in the region.

Qingdao has a warm temperate zone monsoon climate, with the characteristics of a marine climate, such as moist air, abundant rainfall and four distinct seasons. Winter is cold, snowy and windy, with temperatures hovering around freezing. Summer is warm to hot, but very hot days are rare. Due to its proximity to the coast and being on a peninsula, it experiences a one-month late spring compared to most of central China. Conversely, autumn is much milder than inland areas. The water temperature peaks at about 25C (77F) in late August, with swimming possible two months on either side.

History

Ancient times

Human settlement on this soil dates back 6,000 years. The Dongyi nationality, one of the important origins of the Chinese nation, lived here and created the Dawenkou, Longshan and Dongyeshi Cultures. In the Eastern Zhou Dynasty(770BC~256BC), the town of Jimo was established, which was then the second largest one in the Shandong region. By the end of the Qing Dynasty, Qingdao had grown into a prosperous town.The area of which Qingdao is located today was called Jiao'ao (胶澳) when it was administered by the Qing Dynasty on 14 June, 1891.

German and Japanese occupation

Just in this year(1891), the Qing Government decided to make the area a primary defence base against naval attacks, and planned the construction of a city. Little was done, however, until 1897 when the city was ceded to Germany. The Germans soon turned Tsingtao into a strategically important port that was administered by the Department of the Navy (Reichsmarineamt) rather than the Colonial Office (Reichskolonialamt). They based here their Far East Squadron, allowing the fleet to conduct operations throughout the Pacific. From 1898 the marines of III. Seebatallion were based at Tsingtao. The German Imperial government planned and built the first streets and institutions of the city we see today, including the world-famous Tsingtao Brewery. German influence extended to other areas of Shandong Province, including the establishment of diverse commercial enterprises.

Prior to the outbreak of World War I, the German naval forces under Admiral Graf von Spee left Tsingtao for the central and eastern Pacific in an effort to reach Germany rather than being trapped in the harbour by Allied fleets.

After a minor British naval attack on the German colony in 1914, Japan occupied the city and the surrounding province during the Siege of Tsingtao after Japan's declaration of war on Germany in accordance with the Anglo-Japanese Alliance. The failure of the Allied powers to restore Chinese rule to Shandong after the war triggered the May Fourth Movement. For details on the colonial period, see Jiaozhou Bay

The city reverted to Chinese rule in December, 1922, under control of the Republic of China. The city became a direct-controlled municipality of the ROC Government in 1929. Japan re-occupied Qingdao in 1938 with its plans of territorial expansion onto China's coast.

Post-World War II

After World War II the KMT allowed Qingdao to serve as the headquarters of the Western Pacific Fleet of the US Navy in 1945. On 2 June, 1949 the CCP-led Red Army entered Qingdao and the city and province have been under PRC control since that time.

Since the 1984 inauguration of China's open-door policy to foreign trade and investment, Qingdao has developed quickly as a modern port city. It is now the headquarters of the Chinese navy's northern fleet. An early example of the open-door policy occurred on November 5 1984, when three United States Naval vessels visited Qingdao. This was the first US port call in more than 37 years to China. USS Rentz (FFG-46), USS Reeves (DLG-24) and USS Oldendorf (DD-972) and their crews were officially hosted by the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).

Qingdao is now a manufacturing centre. The city has recently experienced a strong growth period, with a new central business district created to the east of the older business district. Outside of the center of the city there is a large industrial zone, which includes chemical processing, rubber and heavy manufacturing, in addition to a growing high tech area.

Demographics

By the end of 2006 Qingdao was estimated to be the home of about 8 million inhabitants, of which around 3 million reside in the Qingdao urban area. Another estimated 5 million live in other cities under Qingdao's jurisdiction. The annual birth rate is calculated around 76,507, with a birth rate of 10.15‰ population, and a death rate of 6.32‰ population, both calculated on an annual basis. This results to a 3.83‰ population growth rate overall, not counting immigration, which is substantial. Living standards are among highest of leading Chinese cities due to the strong export economy and relatively high family wages.

While Qingdao is home to 38 Chinese ethnic minorities they constitute only 0.14% of the city's total population. Qingdao boasts a vibrant expatriate community, led by the Korean community which comprised over 80,000 individuals in 2007.

Economy

GDP per capita comprised RMB¥49,954.75 (ca. US$7,136.39) in 2007. The GDP has grown steadily at an average pace of 16% annually. Qingdao is perhaps most famously known for the Tsingtao Brewery, which German settlers founded in 1903, and which produces Tsingtao beer, now the most famous beer in China and known worldwide. It is also home to Haier, a large white goods manufacturer, and Hisense, a major electronics company. In 2002 guitar manufacturer Epiphone opened a factory at Qingdao.

In 1984 the Chinese government named a district of Qingdao a Special Economic and Technology Development Zone (SETDZ). Along with this district, the entire city had gone through amazing development of secondary and tertiary industries. As an important trading port in the province, Qingdao flourishes with foreign investment and international trade. South Korea and Japan in particular made extensive investment in the city. At least 30,000 South Korean citizens reside there. Construction proceeds at a relatively fast pace in Qingdao.

In terms of primary industry, Qingdao has an estimated 50,000 acres (200 km²) of arable land. Qingdao has a zigzagging pattern coastline, and thus possesses an invaluable stock of fish, shrimp, and other sea resources.

Qingdao is also home to a variety of mineral resources. Up to thirty different kinds have been mined. Qingdao's wind power electricity generation performs at among the best levels in the region.

Transport

Ferry

The Orient Ferry connects Qingdao with Shimonoseki, Japan. There are two ferry lines connecting Qingdao with South Korea. The New Golden Bridge II operates between Qingdao and Incheon, and the Blue Sea Ferry operates between Qingdao and Gunsan.

Aviation

The Qingdao Liuting International Airport, 36 kilometres away from city centre, is served by 13 domestic and international airlines, operating 94 routes of which 12 are international and regional. It is estimated that in 2007 over 7.868 million people, including 1,082,000 international travellers, were transported through the airport.

Port

Qingdao hosts one of China's largest seaports. Cooperative relations have been established with 450 ports in 130 countries worldwide. The 1999 annual cargo handling capacity was 72 million tons. Exported commodities amounted to more than 35 million tons and of cargo.

Railway

Qingdao's railway development was picked up during the late 1990s. It is at the beginning of the Jiaoji Railway. Qingdao's city proper has some major railway stations, Qingdao Station, Sifang Station， Cangkou Station, Great-Seaport Station, etc. At the present, domestic rail lines connect Qingdao with Beijing, Lanzhou, Chengdu, Xi'an, Zhengzhou, Jinan, Jining and so on. There are a total of 1,145km of roads in the Qingdao area, with nearly 500km of expressways. Expressways connect Qingdao with Jinan. The specially designed high-altitude railcars required for the Qingzang railway the highest railway in the world, are also built in Qingdao.

Buses and trolleybuses

Qingdao's public traffic owns about 4,500 large and medium-sized diesel buses, CNG buses and trolleybuses, operating 193 routes. All of these buses and trolleybuses can be accessed using the Qingdao Public Traffic IC Card (Ri-Xin Card ), which uses radio frequencies so the card does not have to physically touch the scanner. The volume of road passenger transport approaches 0.8 billion per year. The lengths of highways on operation are 14,326 km, including 700km Expressways. At the present, the traffic mileage is more than 6.02 billion km per year. The Public Transport Brand of 'Ri-Xin Bus ()' is also known in China.

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.

Culture

Architecture

The unique combination of German and Chinese architecture in the city centre, combined with German demographic roots and a large Korean expat population, gives Qingdao a distinct atmosphere. A larger number of areas in former foreign styles are well preserved. Although the new city area is under large-scale reconstruction, the old city area (especially Taixi) still retains some traditional buildings.

Celebrities

Many Chinese popular poets / poetesses, artists, musicians, politicians came to Qingdao and lived here, because of the beautiful environment and splendid culture. Here is an incomplete list of them.

Kang Youwei (康有为)
Wen Yiduo (闻一多)
Wang Tongzhao (王统照)
Laoshe (舒庆春，字老舍)
Hong Shen (洪深)
Shen Congwen (沈从文)
Xiao Hong (萧红)
Xiao Jun (萧军)
Shu Qun (舒群)
Liang Shiqiu (梁实秋)
Duanmu Hongliang (端木蕻良)
Zang Kejia (臧克家)
Sun Li (孙犁)

Also, Qingdao has a reputation for producing outstanding people. Here is an incomplete list of them.

Qiu Chuji (丘处机)
Tian Heng (田横)
Gao Fenghan (高凤翰)
Tong Dizhou (童第周)
Mao Hanli (毛汉礼)
Zeng Chengkui (曾呈奎)
Wang Daheng (王大珩)
Li Zhaoxing (李肇星)

Immigrants

Unlike some large Chinese previous capital cities with a long history, Qingdao is a relative newcomer, being nothing but a fishing village in 1897. The majority of residents are immigrants having migrated from other locations to take advantage of the opportunities Qingdao offers.

Language

A distinctive local accent known as "Qingdao Dialect(Qingdao Hua, 青岛话)" distinguishes the residents of the city from those of the surrounding province, and even Shandong Province. Due to the efforts by the city government to popularize Mandarin, most educated people can now speak that. With reform policies and English teaching, most young citizens can communicate with foreigners in English. Business and traffic marks in English are becoming more and more common. Road signs cannot be in foreign languages because of the law, but the pinyin will do some help.

Cuisine

Seafood is a typical delicacy of the coastal city, divided into 2 categories: one is called "Great Seafood" includes sea cucumbers, abalones, shark's fin, prawns, carbs, conch, and some big fish; the other is called "Little Seafood" includes squid, shrimps, octopus, oysters, razor clams, clams, perwinkles, yellow croakers, etc. Generally, fresh seafood is served in every hotel. The distinctive cuisine is Lu Cai, the Shandong regional style.

Festivals

Exhibition activities

Qingdao International Beer Festival, held annually since 1991
China International Afforestation Fair, since 2003
APEC SMEs Technology Conference and Fair
China Qingdao Fishing Competition
Qingdao Bar-Culture Festival
China International Exposition of electronic home appliances
China Qingdao Ocean Festival
China International Maritime Exhibition
Qingdao International Fashion Week
China International Fishery Fair
China Qingdao International Hot Air Balloon Festival
Qingdao International Beach Festival

Tourism

Qingdao attracts many tourists due to its seaside setting and temperate weather. Parks, beaches, sculpture and some unique architecture line the shore. For more information head over to the Qingdao Information Centre for International Visitors located on Mid-Hong Kong Road(Xinggang Zhong Lu). Qingdao's major attractions include:

Historical Euro-Asia Area

Zhan Qiao (Pier, 栈桥)
Little Qingdao Isle (小青岛)
Tian Hou Temple (天后宫), Qingdao Folk Museum
Ba Da Guan (Eight Great Passes, 八大关), the older area of town with some surviving German and Japanese architecture.
Lu Xun Park, named after Lu Xun (鲁迅), a famous modern Chinese writer and critic, who lived and taught in 1930s.
Zhongshan Park, named after the style name 'Zhongshan' of Sun Zhongshan (孙文，字中山), a famous modern Chinese politician.
Xiao Yu Shan (Little Fish Hill, 小鱼山)
Qingdao Botanical Garden
Qingdao Zoological Garden
St Michael's Cathedral, a Gothic/Roman cathedral designed by German architect Pepieruch, completed in 1934.
Flower-floor (花石楼), the place for previous German governors to fish, hunt or rest.
Qingdao Underwater World, Qingdao Aquarium
Governor's House (提督府), the office for previous German governors, Former Municipal Government
Guest House, a classic German Casstle
Signal Hill (信号山)
Astronomical Observatory Hill (观象山)
Tuan Dao Shan|Tuan Dao Shan (Dumpling Peninsula Hill, 团岛山)
Underground World of Chinese Mythology, life-size figures and groups depicting scenes from the Chinese mythology.
Qingdao Hill Fort ruins
Qingdao Naval Museum
Qingdao Bathing Beaches, there are 6 well-known beaches with complete facilities.

Flourish Eastern Area

May Fourth Square Coastal plaza with the Wind of May sculpture
Music Square, famous for the Sail of Music
Qingdao Seaside Sightseeing Path
Qingdao Beer Museum, on the site of the old brewery.
Qingdao International Beer town, the primary site of the annual Qingdao International Beer Festival.
Tsingtao Brewery, originally founded by Germans and the most exported beer from China.
Qingdao Sculpture Museum
Qingdao Etsong Natural Grass Ski Field
Zhanshan Temple, Qingdao's oldest Buddhist temple.

State-level Mount Lao Scenic Area

Lao Shan(Mount Lao), the most famous Taoist mountain with many temples.

Jufeng (Huge Peak, 巨峰)
Nine Waters & Eight Pools (九水十八潭)
Kang Cheng Shuyuan (Kang Cheng Study House, 康成书院)
Yangkou (仰口)
Yakou (垭口)

Outlying Area

Qingdao Museum
Stone Old Man (Shi Laoren, 石老人) Sightseeing Garden
Qingdao Polar Ocean World
Langya Observation Resort (瑯琊台度假区), located in the previous Qi State, Jiaonan City.
Great Wall of Qi
Chanzhi Reservoir, located 10 kilometres to the north of Laixi city, on the middle and upperreaches of the Dagu River.
Sanlihe Garden, Jiaozhou City
Jiaozhou Governor's Hall, former seat of the present and previous two governments.
Qingdao Forest Wildlife World

Education

Post-secondary educational institutions

Ocean University of China (formerly Ocean University of Qingdao), the primary university of the specialty in China
Petroleum University of China, Qingdao campus
Qingdao University
Qingdao University of Science and Technology
Qingdao Technological University
Shandong University of Economics and Trade
Qingdao Hotel and Management College
Qingdao Agricultural University

International schools

Medical institutions

Education, medical care and scientific research are well developed in Qingdao. Prevetion and treatment of eye, liver-gallbladder and cardiovascular disease, tumor surgery and microsurgery lead the country. Some methods of treatment are internationally advanced.

Sports

Qingdao has long been a hub of professional sports in The People's Republic of China.

Stadiums

Qingdao second stadium
Qingdao Hongcheng stadium
Qingdao Tiantai stadium
Qingdao Chengyang sports training base
Qingdao Jiaonan Paper zoned rowing base

Olympic Games

Along with Beijing's winning bid to host the 2008 Summer Olympics, Qingdao will be the host city for several events of the Olympic Sailing competitions which will take place along the shoreline by the city. These events will be held in Fushan Bay, near the city's central business district. A hotel and an international broadcasting centre are under construction.