Editor's note: We have invited foreigners living in China to share their stories about the cities where they live and work. Aleksei Andreev is a Russian video creator who has been living in China for eight years. He has traveled to many places across China by motorcycle, filming and sharing stories from the road. Despite all those adventures, he had never been to Qingdao — until now.

Aleksei Andreev fills up his cup with the beer he picks at the Beer Stock Market in Qingdao. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

At the end of July, I had the pleasure of attending the 35th Qingdao International Beer Festival in Qingdao, East China's Shandong province. It was my first time at a beer festival, and I was truly amazed by its grand scale and vibrant atmosphere.

Everyone knows about Qingdao's beer, but coming to Qingdao and being at the festival allows me to feel how central it is to the city's spirit.

As night fell, the lights lit up, crowds gathered, and the mix of music, food, and beer transformed the place into a true summer carnival. Families, friends, and visitors from around the world came together to enjoy the moment, share laughter, and have a good time.

What impressed me most were the innovative ideas: the Beer Stock Market, where beer prices fluctuated in real time based on demand, and an entire wall showcasing dozens of freshly tapped beers, a creative and fun concept I had never seen before.

Aleksei Andreev visits the Taiqing Palace in Laoshan, Qingdao. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Russia also has a long and proud beer tradition. We love brewing beers, and the techniques go back a long way — even my grandparents used to make homemade beer during the summer months.

However, as I know, in Russia, we don't have anything quite like Qingdao's beer festival, a large, city-wide event that brings together locals and visitors to celebrate.

Also, I noticed that beer in China isn't just about drinking, it's about connecting with others, relaxing, and celebrating together. The toasting culture and warm interactions made beer feel like a bridge between people.

You could start chatting with a stranger simply by clinking glasses and saying "cheers", and from there, share stories, laugh, and learn about each other's lives.