You can have stereotypes when you think about China. Not clean air, Doubt about public safety, Old traditional building around the city and other things.
But Qingdao is new trend city in China. This city is also designated as top 5 city where Chinese want to live.
Here's 6 reasons why you should visit Qingdao.
1. Clean air & Beautiful nature
Compared to Beijing, you can breath more fresh air in Qingdao.
Qingdao has beautiful sea and good nature so many couples who are coming to get wedding ceremony take wedding photo in Qingdao.
2. European style buildings
In 1897, Germany occupied in Qingdao for about 40 years. There are german style buildings in Qingdao, especially Qingdao beer museum is best famous building.
3. More capitalist city than you think
After Deng xiaoping open the china market, China's economy has been growing and become one of big capitalist country in the world. These days, China's IT is developing so fast, IT meets another industry and move to convergence.
In Qingdao, I can see much motorbike drivers and they deliver food and drink for the customer who order the meal through delivery apps.
one of main delivery company is Měi tuán wàimài (美团外卖).
Also, Hǎidǐ lāo(海底捞) is one of hottest 'huo guo' restaurant in China.
They became success restaurant to give good service to customer to attract people. When customer wait long time, They offer free nail care service and cleaning shoes service.
When I visited Hǎidǐ lāo in Qingdao, I was so surprised to kindness of waitress . She greeted to me at 50m apart from main door and escorted me to my seat. When I sit, They gave zipper bag to protect my smartphone.
These service is best marketing strategy and I recognize that China is one of most capitalist country in the world.
4. More technology city than you think
Before I visit Qingdao city, I searched information about Qingdao through Baidu.
Baidu is one of biggest IT company in the China. They operate own website and applications. Especially, their map, Baidu Map, is so good quality. I can save my favorite site in Qingdao through the Baidu Map Apps. It is so helpful to go to another place. They also offer ways to get there by bus, subway, taxi.
Baidu has also good voice recognition technology. I'm not Chinese so My Chinese pronunciation is so bad I think. But Baidu App recognize my voice and they show what I ask. For example, I asked "What is weather forecast in Qingdao?" The apps answered my question in brief.
5. Nice night scene
Qingdao has good night scene like Shanghai city. In night, people was so crowded in near 5.4 square because It was so beautiful.
6. Security
Qingdao's public safety is high-level among the cites in China. In 2017, Qingdao's GDP is 1 trillion 100 billion yuan(165 billion dollar) so this city is one of biggest economy cities in the China.
During the travel, I couldn't see the begger and homeless people in the Qingdao city.
There's so much china police which is called in Chinese Gōng'ān(公安) in the road. They guarantee your safety.