Despite the chilly weather in December, a slew of newly emerging tourism scenarios make it appealing to tour around Qingdao in winter.

Following the arrival of the first batch of sea gulls at Zhanqiao Pier, an encounter with sea gulls becomes a tourist attraction that cannot be missed. Qingdao Tourism Group has launched the dedicated route “Chasing after Sea Gulls and Waves”, which finds enormous favor with tourists from other places with its unique charm. Tourists can board a pleasure boat and have close encounters with sea gulls on deck. On the shore, the cultural tourism event in the season of sea gulls was inaugurated, and six themed events such as the “Looking for Sea Gulls” Urban Stamp Collection Challenge and the Creativity Market on Sea Gulls have made their appearance one after another.

As a historically and culturally famous city, Qingdao is dotted with distinctive Chinese and Western-style buildings. The second Winter Jazz Town carnival, which recently kicked off in three featured courtyards in Taipingjiao, and consists of bazaars,  interactions, performances and recreations, is emerging as Qingdao’s new tourist attraction in winter.

In the periphery of Qingdao, the “Joy of Sightseeing in Laoshan Mountain” campaign enables citizens and tourists to travel in winter to their heart’s content for unremitting 105 days. Over 100 events, including the top ten tourist routes, welcoming the new year and praying for blessing, and watching stars on Laoshan Mountain, will help Qingdao appeal to a continuous stream of tourists in the conventionally slack season. The “Travelling Around West Coast” tourist season has launched 137 themed activities such as ice and snow recreations and games. The display of Laixi cultural products included in intangible cultural heritage such as Guhe Papercutting, Fengshi Jade Carving, adds culture to the just-opened Laixi Shanhui (a traditional trading fair), which has persisted for more than 400 years. Despite that the snowy season has yet to come, Cangmashan Ski Resort in the West Coast and Jinshan Ski Resort in Jimo District have already provided advance booking for winter tourism products.

Qingdao, reputed as an “island of music”, is taking advantage of “art+” to help promote consumption in the winter tourism season. The Qingdao Grand Theatre recently announced performances to be put on, including the world classics original edition musical drama “Cat”, the dance drama “Swan Lake” and the Austria Wiener Symphoniker 2025 New Year Concert, providing a range of options for citizens and tourists to “travel around Qingdao while enjoying performances”. (Ma Xiaoting)

A pleasure boat on the dedicated route “Chasing After Sea Gulls and Waves” sets off.  By Wang Lei