Delighted visitors at Qingdao's Zhanqiao Pier are welcomed by the season's first seagulls, marking the cheerful start of the city's much-anticipated seagull-watching period and inviting all to enjoy the heart of the action.

"This is my first Qingdao trip, and I never expected to encounter the very first seagulls!" exclaimed tourist Ms Zhao, still exhilarated. "When it approached me so closely, my heart almost skipped a beat — it's truly unforgettable."

Historically, from late November through March or April, hundreds of thousands of seagulls have flocked to Qingdao's coastline, creating months of harmonious human-bird interaction.

Key recommended spots include:

Zhanqiao Pier: The iconic landmark and premier seagull-watching site, offering the combined joy of feeding gulls and coastal foraging at low tide.

Badaguan: Where soaring gulls complement golden plane trees and European-style architecture, creating a fairy-tale autumn backdrop.

May Fourth Square: Gulls often circle the "May Wind" sculpture, allowing visitors to enjoy both modern cityscapes and natural beauty.

Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center: Sheltered waters provide tranquil gull habitats, with sailing boats adding maritime charm to the scene.

Zhanqiao Pier, the iconic landmark and premier seagull-watching site in Qingdao, offers the combined joy of feeding gulls and coastal foraging at low tide. [Photo/Guanhai News]

Historically, from late November through March or April, hundreds of thousands of seagulls flock to Qingdao's coastline. [Photo/Guanhai News]

People feed seagulls at the Zhanqiao Pier scenic area in Qingdao, Shandong province. [Photo/Guanhai News]