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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.

From dynastic structures to famous landmarks, Chongqing’s modern streets are layered with the country’s history. Ciqikou, the city’s oldest shopping street, provides a glimpse into the city’s former life with the 1,500 year old Baolun Temple, while you can explore preserved Qing Dynasty buildings at Shuangjiang Ancient Town. The Great Hall of the People is also worth visiting to see its design, inspired by classic Asian architecture.

Spicy, numbing Chongqing hot pot is the culinary highlight of the city, with a lava red broth created from Sichuan peppercorns, beef fat and chillies. Originally a staple for laborers and dock workers, it’s now become a must-try dish which sees diners cook meat and vegetables in a shared bubbling pot - a fun communal experience. Xiao Mian, spicy Chongqing noodles eaten with or without soup, and the peppery Chongqing chicken dish Laziji are other regional favourites, while you’ll find Shao Kao barbecue skewers at street food stalls.

Head to Wulong Karst National Geology Park for an unforgettable hike. This Unesco world natural heritage site is renowned for its towering karst formations - rocky limestone landscapes - blanketed by emerald greenery. Located on Fairy Mountain, named after a fairy believed to have guided boatmen through calm waters, its cinematic three stone bridges have been featured in many films. While passing through Longshuixia Gap, you’ll discover rushing waterfalls and in Furong Cave, eerie stalactites reach down to explorers like hands.

Cruising through the striking Three Gorges dam is one of the best things to do in Chongqing, with regular boats traversing the Yangtze River. Spanning 193 miles and the Qutang, Wu and Xiling gorges, mountainous cliffs and lush greenery line the reservoir’s waterways as cruises navigate imposing passes such as Kuimen Gate and Iron Lock. While you can book in for a multiple-day boat tour to see the whole area, a popular choice is to just explore Qutang Gorge: the first and shortest gorge, with narrow passes lined by steep cliffs and historical landmarks. Don’t forget to stop by the Three Gorges Museum to see the reservoir’s rescued cultural relics and learn more about the area’s rich history.

When the Three Gorges dam was created, rising waters erased historical sites and villages teeming with the region’s culture - a controversial move condemned internationally. Baidicheng, which translates to White Emperor City, located in Qutang Gorge survived and provides a fascinating glimpse into the Sui and Tang dynasties, with a temple exhibiting over 1,000 antiques and 1,400-year-old tablets. The village has inspired famed Chinese poets, leading to its nickname as the ‘City of Poetry’, and its view over Qutang Gorge is inscribed on the ten yuan note.

After your hikes through Wulong Karst Park and Chongqing’s busy streets, rest your weary bones at one of the city’s natural hot springs. Entire resorts have popped up around geothermal pools, dotted across its mountainous landscape and riverbanks. For a traditional experience, the waters at South Hot Spring were first discovered in the Ming Dynasty with rumoured historical visitors like Chiang Kai-Shek. Other resorts like the conveniently located Chongqing Ronghui Hot Springs take a modern approach, with medicinal herb-infused pools and even a water park.

Hongya Cave is easily one of the best Chongqing attractions, as a beautiful testament to the city’s ancient Ba culture. If you’re looking for a cave, you’ll be at a loss however, as Hongya Cave is a complex of striking stilted buildings; supported against one of Chongqing’s many mountains. Topped with traditional Chinese roofs and a near-impossible angular composition, it celebrates Ba culture and houses hotels, thriving culinary streets (including the famed Zhiyanhe bar street) and boutiques. You’ll want to see it at night, when its lanterns glow and cast twinkling lights across Jialing River.

Take a day trip out to Dazu, a nearby area famed for the thousands of religious statues carved directly into its mountains. Known as the Dazu Rock Carvings, this Unesco world heritage site features over 50,000 stone reliefs dating back to the 9th and 13th centuries. Stretched across five mountains, the religious carvings intertwine Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian themes as well as insights into daily life during the Tang and Song dynasties. Beautifully preserved, the most popular carving site to visit is Baodingshan Mountain where you’ll find a gold-painted 1,000 armed goddess and a gigantic reclining Buddha.