Getting There
Qingdao is well connected byairto many Chinese cities, including Beijing (1 1/4 hr.), Guangzhou (2 hr., 45 min.), and Shanghai (70 min.). Tickets can be purchased at theCAAC office (Minhang Dasha)at Xianggang Zhong Lu 30 (tel.0532/8577-5555). International destinations served include Hong Kong, Seoul, Fukuoka, Tokyo, Pusan, and Bangkok.Dragonair(tel.0532/8577-6159) has an office at the Hotel Equatorial, Xianggang Zhong Lu 28, as doesJapan Airlines(Xianggang Zhong Lu 76; tel.0532/571-0088). Qingdao'sLiu Ting Airport(tel.0532/8471-5777) is located 30km (19 miles) north of the city; the 40-minute taxi ride costs ¥80 to ¥100 ($10-$12). Airport shuttles charging¥15 ($1.90) depart from the Haitian Fandian (Haitian Hotel), and make a stop at the Equatorial Hotel on the hour between 6am and 8pm. The bus also meets incoming flights.
An express overnighttrainfrom Beijing (T25) takes 10 hours, and a slow overnight train from Shanghai (2106) takes 18 1/2 hours. Several trains a day connect to Weifang (2 hr.), Zibo (3-4 hr.), Ji'nan (4-5 1/2 hr.), Tai Shan (6 hr.), and Qufu/Yanzhou (7 hr.). Tickets can be bought at the railway station (tel.0532/8297-5207) at Tai'an Lu 2, 5 days in advance.
The long-distance bus station is in the northern part of town, but thebus station(tel.0532/8371-8060) just outside the railway station should serve most travelers' needs. Intra-province buses depart from the lot south of the railway station for Weifang (every 40 min. 6:20am-5:30pm; 2 hr., 40 min.; ¥31/$3.80) and Ji'nan (every 30 min. 6am-5:30pm; 5 hr.; ¥50-¥95/$6-$12). Purchase your tickets at the little green kiosks. Long-distance sleeper buses depart from the front of the railway station for destinations farther afield such as Shanghai (7pm; 10 1/2 hr.; ¥180/$23) and Hangzhou (3:50pm; 14 hr.).
Ferriesto Incheon, South Korea, run four times a week. Tickets can be bought at theQingdao Port Passenger Terminal (Qingdao Gang Keyun Zhan)at Xinjiang Lu 6 (tel.0532/8282-5001).Orient Ferry Ltd.(Haitian Hotel, Xianggang Xi Lu 48, room 1267/68; tel.0532/8389-7636) also operates regular ferries to Shimonoseki (40 hr.) in Japan; a one-way ticket costs between ¥1,230 and ¥4,785 ($154-$598).
Getting Around
Downtown and the German Quarter can be toured on foot, but taxis and buses are more convenient ways to get to some of the beaches and attractions farther afield.Taxischarge ¥7 (85¢) for 3km (2 miles), then ¥1.50 (20¢) per kilometer until 8km (5 miles), when the price rises to ¥2.15 (25¢) per kilometer.Busnos. 26 and 301 run from the railway station along the southern edge of the peninsula towards the commercial district on Xianggang Zhong Lu; the fare is ¥1 (15¢).
Visitor Information
ATourism and Information Service Center(tel.0532/8296-2000;open 9am-5pm) is located 200m (656 ft.) to the left when you exit the railway station. They can provide information and direct travelers to sights and accommodations.
Tours & Guides
If you haven't become frustrated enough by otherCITSoffices around the country, you can give this one a shot. It's is located at Xianggang Xi Lu 73 (tel.0532/8389-3001;fax 0532/8389-3013). For the latest information on the city and the rest of the province, look for the monthly English-languageRed Starmagazine, available at most international hotels or on the Internet at www.myredstar.com.cn.
Fast Facts
Banks, Foreign Exchange & ATMs-- TheBank of Chinaat Yunxiao Lu 1 has an ATM on premises and is open for foreign exchange Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm. Another branch at Zhongshan Lu 68 has similar hours. AnHSBCATM is also conveniently located inside the Crowne Plaza Hotel (Yizhong Huangguan Jiari Jiudian).
Internet Access-- There is a smallInternet cafeacross from the post office on Anhui Lu. It's open from 9am to midnight. Dial-up is tel.163.
Post Office --Located at Anhui Lu 5 (open 8am-6pm) and another in the commercial district at Xianggang Zhong Lu 56 (open 8:30am-5:30pm).
Visa Extensions --ThePSBoffice for visa extensions (tel.0532/8579-2555,ext 2860; open Mon-Fri 8:30-11:30am and 1:30-5:30pm) is inconveniently located in the eastern part of town at Ningxia Lu 272. Bus no. 301 runs there from the railway station.