Qingdao 青岛, or Tsingtao, is located on the Shandong Peninsula, in the Yellow River Delta in eastern China. It benefits from a mild and pleasant climate throughout the year although there are still clear distinctions between the four seasons. A German colony from 1898 to 1914, the city still holds many historical and architectural vestiges of its German past. Qingdao is an industrial city most famous for being the home of the Tsingtao brewery 青岛啤酒 and Haier household appliances 海尔家电. Qingdao also operates as a harbour and is the 7th biggest container port in the world.

Qingdao is a cultural centre, famous for being one of the birthplaces of Taoism. It is a popular summer resort where many sanatoriums and sports centres have established themselves. In 2008 it also became a sailing centre when it hosted the Olympic sailing competitions.

Qingdao has many firsts to boast about: China's longest under-sea tunnel and China's longest overwater bridge have both been built in Qingdao. It also houses Asia's first ever aquarium which was opened in 1932.