QINGDAO, CHINA
Qingdao has a thriving world class port. Above you can see dock workers, and my email friend "Bright" in front of the building where he works... a shipping company's head office.
Qingdao is one of China's shiny modern examples of the intended future for the nation. I would recommend anyone to visit. It's clean and modern, full of shopping malls, fronted by sandy beaches, near famous mountains and temples and well connected by rail to the rest of China. Boats go to and from Inchon, Korea twice a week. Qingdao will be the site for the Beach Volleyball and Sailing competitions at the 2008 Olympics. The town will be hopping, if you want to see those events you'd better think about making reservations well in advance. In addition to Qingdao's modern amenities and tourist activities it is home of Tsingdao Beer (that's the old spelling of Qingdao) which is world famous. It was originally brewed under the direction of Germans who for a time had a small colony in Shandong Province based in Qingdao. The Germans also added some wonderful European architecture that gives Qingdao additional charm. My favorite aspect of Qingdao, though, was the abundant (and cheap!) fresh seafood, particularly shellfish.
A rocky break between two beaches provides a place for some summer vacationers to relax and enjoy the view of Qingdao's modern buildings. A mother joins her son in a fountain in one of Qingdao's many shopping areas.
Ahwensung Ahwensung in B and W Ahwensung Kids Ahwensung Monks China Flowers Ganjia Grasslands Hezuo Karjam Labrang Monastery Linxia Linxia Farms in B and W Linxia Farm Kids Machu Machu People Nomads Near Ahwensung Qingdao Xiahe Xi'an
Andong Mask Dance Festival Tibetan Photos I Tibetan Photos II
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