Qingdao makes tourism history by welcoming Shandong province's first-ever Azerbaijani tour group. [Photo/WeChat account: qd12301]

Qingdao recently made tourism history by welcoming Shandong province's first-ever Azerbaijani tour group, marking the city's success in expanding its inbound market among Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states and countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.

The three-day coastal itinerary showcased the city's iconic blend of nature and culture: from the Taoist sacred site Laoshan Mountain to the Tsingtao Beer Museum, the historic Badaguan Scenic Area, and the dazzling Fushan Bay light show.

A grand welcome ceremony at Laoshan Mountain introduced visitors to the mountain's rich history at its cultural exhibition center.

"I'm amazed by Laoshan Mountain's stories, from ancient legends to poets' footprints," said one tourist.

The family-centric group — mostly first-time visitors to China — raved about Qingdao's European-style architecture, seafood feasts, and the Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center 's night views.

They also expressed their love for the seafood and local cuisine in Qingdao, and all said that they would recommend a trip to Qingdao to their friends.

The trip follows April's China-Azerbaijan visa waiver agreement, facilitating bilateral tourism. As the 2024-25 SCO tourism and culture capital, Qingdao is seizing upon the post-pandemic recovery momentum. The city launched an action plan for enhancing the development of its inbound tourism in May, which focuses on tailored products, overseas promotion, and streamlined services to attract more international tourists.

The arrival of this Azerbaijani tour group marks a significant step in Qingdao's expansion into emerging markets. In the future, the city will continue to deepen tourism cooperation with SCO member states and BRI countries, inspiring more international visitors to come experience Qingdao's unique "mountain-sea-city" charm.