You can’t travel to Qingdao without visiting the source of its most famous export. Founded in 1903, the Tsingtao Brewery produces German-style pilsner made with spring water from nearby Laoshan, and is one of the top tourist attractions in Qingdao. Learn about the history of this iconic Chinese beer, watch it be brewed – and naturally, sample the goods for yourself. Nearby Beer Street is lined with bars and restaurants serving the brew. For true enthusiasts, plan your trip to coincide with the annual summer Qingdao International Beer Festival – China’s answer to Oktoberfest.

Though it lasted just 16 years, from 1898 to 1914, the German occupation left a permanent architectural legacy in the city: grand European structures like St Michael’s Cathedral and Qingdao rail station resemble something out of Bavaria, rather than an eastern Chinese port. Stroll around the eight streets of Badaguan neighbourhood to take in the thick stone walls, large symmetrical facades and red-tiled gabled roofs of colonial villas.

The 10-hectare public square located in the centre of Qingdao’s CBD looks out onto the bay. Check out the large ‘May Wind’ sculpture at its centre, then watch the world go by: it’s a great thing to do in Qingdao to get a sense of the city. Come nightfall, the city lights create a beautiful backdrop to the buzz of life. From the square, it’s a short walk to the nearby Qingdao International Sailing Centre marina, which hosted aquatic events in the 2008 Summer Olympics.

For scenes from a time gone by on your Qingdao holiday, head to Pichai Yuan (Firewood Court). This hundred-year-old neighbourhood was once the city’s cultural and entertainment hotspot, and now the narrow alleys are packed with quirky street food stalls (skewered starfish and scorpion feature), tea shops and souvenir stalls. Nearby in the Old Town, you’ll also find hipper boutiques and cafes.

For a fun-filled family day out, the verdant Zhongshan Park offers something for everyone. Walking paths weave between lakes and colourful gardens in bloom. During the springtime don’t miss the Cherry Corridor, when the pink blossoms spring to life for a few weeks. To the northeast a cable car takes visitors up Taiping Hill to the Qingdao TV Tower, which offers dizzyingly high observation deck views – a must-see in Qingdao. Near the East Gate is Zhanshan Temple – the largest Buddhist temple in the city.

Numerous sandy beaches line the shoreline of this port city. One of the most popular tourist attractions in Qingdao is Golden Sand Beach, a two-mile stretch of fine, golden sand with clean waters and a busy roster of festivals and activities. On the opposite side of the bay, No. 1 Bathing Beach is also popular with sunseekers, with nearby attractions to break up the day such as Qingdao Aquarium and Zhanqiao Pier, a quaint 19th century walkway and pavilion that stretches half a kilometre into the sea.

As a port city, seafood features heavily in Qingdao. The local specialty dumplings, for example, feature a mackerel and pork filling. Spicy clams are another ubiquitous dish that should be sampled while on holiday in Qingdao. For fine-dining Shandong-style, look out for braised sea cucumber with shallots – a highly prized delicacy with a price tag to match.

Spectacular peak formations and coastal views make the Laoshan National Forest Park an ideal excursion for outdoor enthusiasts, dotted with temples, statues, waterfalls and viewpoints that will have you reaching for your camera. In addition to its natural beauty, Laoshan also has great cultural significance: the mountain is considered one of the birthplaces of Taoist thought.