Qingdao is solidifying its status as a leading international coastal tourism destination, using its unique blend of sea, mountains, and cultural heritage to achieve remarkable growth. The city received 1.4 billion visitors last year, generating over 210 billion yuan ($29.48 billion) in tourism revenue, and has been honored as the tourism and cultural capital of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization for 2024 to 2025.

The ocean forms the cornerstone of Qingdao's tourism strategy. The city has systematically upgraded its maritime infrastructure, notably expanding the Zhanqiao Pier to increase its comprehensive capacity nearly tenfold. A unified operational model now integrates 214 vessels from 63 maritime transport companies, developing popular new routes like "Night tour of Fushan Bay". From January to August this year, maritime passenger trips surged by 72.3 percent to 3.41 million.

Situated in a harmonious blend of mountains, sea, urban landscape, bays, and islands, Qingdao boasts a vast maritime area dotted with 120 islands of various sizes and unique features, providing ample potential for island tourism development.

Since the beginning of this year, Qingdao has intensified efforts to promote island tourism by adhering to the "one island, one characteristic" principle. The city is accelerating the development of island resources such as Lingshan Island, Xiaoguan Island, and Tianheng Island, creating unique island tourism products, and systematically planning to drive high-quality growth in island tourism.

With the ongoing implementation of these measures, Qingdao is accelerating its efforts to establish itself as an island tourism destination that combines natural wilderness with cultural warmth.

Zhanqiao Pier is an iconic scenic area in Qingdao, East China's Shandong province. [Photo/Guanhai News]