The five-star cruise Zhao Shang Yi Dun returned on Sept 16 to Qingdao for its third visit since August. It brought nearly 600 North American tourists, the largest group from the Americas this year.

A grand welcome ceremony was held at the cruise ship's home port. The event featured a vibrant dragon dance, an English presentation on Qingdao's tourism resources and gift presentations of local cultural products.

An exhibition of intangible cultural heritage — including clay sculpting, embroidery and traditional costumes — captivated the visitors, with many buying special Qingdao-themed souvenirs.

During their two-day stay, the guests explored iconic sites such as the Tsingtao Beer Museum, the Badaguan Scenic Area, Xiaoyushan and the Laoshan Mountain scenic area.

They also experienced beer brewing, immersed themselves in the historic charm of Dabaodao cultural block and admired the breathtaking coastal landscapes intertwined with Taoist culture.

The voyage was the first one of the Zhao Shang Yi Dun's eight scheduled visits to Qingdao this year that are mainly carrying North American tourists. From September to November, it's expected to bring about 5,000 international visitors to Qingdao.

With extended overnight stays allowing deeper cultural experiences and increased spending, cruise ship tourism is becoming a new engine for inbound tourism and cross-cultural exchanges in Qingdao.

Efforts will continue to strengthen cooperation with global cruise lines and to promote Qingdao's appeal as a top cruise liner destination.

The five-star cruise liner Zhao Shang Yi Dun returns to Qingdao on Sept 16, bringing nearly 600 North American tourists — the largest American tourist group to Shandong this year. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

During their stay, guests delve into Qingdao's top attractions and experience traditional brewing methods, historic architecture and the blend of mountain and sea under golden autumn skies. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

As part of its eight scheduled visits this year, the Zhao Shang Yi Dun plans to make six stops in Qingdao between September and November, bringing around 5,000 international visitors. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]