Aleksei Andreev visits the Taiqing Palace in Laoshan, Qingdao. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Russia also has a long and proud beer tradition. We love brewing beers, and the techniques go back a long way — even my grandparents used to make homemade beer during the summer months.

However, as I know, in Russia, we don't have anything quite like Qingdao's beer festival, a large, city-wide event that brings together locals and visitors to celebrate.

Also, I noticed that beer in China isn't just about drinking, it's about connecting with others, relaxing, and celebrating together. The toasting culture and warm interactions made beer feel like a bridge between people.

You could start chatting with a stranger simply by clinking glasses and saying "cheers", and from there, share stories, laugh, and learn about each other's lives.