Over recent years, a revolution of cultural tourism, with a focus on the homestay sector, is in the making in many places in Qingdao such as Dongmaiyao and Ximaiyao in Laoshan District, Yangjiashanli in West Coast New Area, and Aishan rural areas in the county-level city of Jiaozhou.

Currently, Qingdao boasts more than 3,000 homestay hotels, 60% to 75% of which are located in rural areas. These homestay hotels employ regional culture and natural landscape to present Qingdao’s diversity and fine scenery.

Ximaiyao Village is located along Liuqing Bay in Laoshan Mountain Scenic Spots. Thanks to the “Enjoying Sea and Mountain Views” rural homestay hotel program launched in recent years, the small village beside a river at the foot of a mountain has now been home to more than 120 attractive homestay hotels, welcoming over 100,000 tourists every year.

As China’s first carbon-negative sea island, Lingshan Island in the west coast rides the wave to develop the new tourism sector combining featured homestay hotels with folk culture experience, currently boasting 67 fisherman's homestay families. The West Coast Yangjiashanli Rural Vitalization Demonstration Area sustains its efforts to build farmland schools, residences and saloons. From the January-September period, the demonstration area received 560,000 tourists, generating more than RMB100 mln in tourist revenue.

“Living in homestay hotels + watching stars” renders journeys in Qingdao more romantic. Late last year, Laoshan District announced the best sites to watch stars. “Here we are near the sea, and far away from the hustle and bustle. It is a perfect place to watch the constellation.” According to Wang Xusheng, operating manager at Yifan Senhai Campsite in Wanggezhuang Neighborhood, Laoshan District, quite a few tourists visited Laoshan Mountain this summer to watch stars. (Yi Tao)

Distinctive homestay hotels by the sea and near the mountain in Wanggezhuang Neighborhood, Laoshan District.