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Some of the European architecture in Qingdao makes for interesting viewing, as much for the shock of finding it here in China as anything else. Here is the Catholic Cathedral, which seems to have invoked sudden piety in this particular tourist:
Xinhao Hill Guesthouse, also built by the Germans, looks a little odd from the outside but the interior is absolutely gorgeous. Traditional chinese architecture may look very stunning, especially the exterior, but I've yet to see anything that can rival the luxury and warmth of European-style hardwood decor. This guesthouse is truely fit for a prince, or for Mao Zedong, who once stayed here (as per usual, anywhere that he slept, worked, or might have pooped is carefully signposted):
If you come to Qingdao, you should certainly take a climb to the turrent of Huashi Lou, overlooking the sea. Obviously Qingdao was ahead of its time, since doesn't every modern city (Perth included) have some eccentric who builds a castle to live in? This one was built on the whim of a German governor, and although it looks imposing it was probably very inconvenient to live in considering that there is no elevator and it's taller than it is wide:
Piers are nice, I like piers, but I don't really understand why so many tourists want to have their photo taken at this particular pier. It has an octagonal pagoda at the end; perhaps that is the key to the mystery. To the left, you can see an island called Xiaoqingdao:
Xiaoqingdao means "Little Green Island", and true to its name it is not only landscaped by also not very big. There is a small entry fee, but the gardens are attractive and quiet, overlooked by a lighthouse (unfortunately not accessable). It would be a great place for a picnic:
We caught a boat to Xiaoqingdao, but walked back along the quay to reach the mainland. From there, continuing past the naval museum, you reach Lu Xun Park, also very peaceful:
On our last day in Qingdao, we had a walk through Zhongshan Park, where we saw various large colourful figures. Some were composed entirely out of rice bowls, or bottles, while others were just wire and silk like these monkeys (to celebrate the year of the monkey) or the rocket behind it, a tribute to China's space flight:
