Qingdao's core strength in marine sports lies in sailing, leading to its reputation as the sailing capital of China. [Photo/IC]

Qingdao's coastal outdoor sports destination has been named among the first batch of China's high-quality outdoor sports hubs in a national pilot list, making the city a model for the country's growing outdoor sports industry.

The city's beaches now buzz with activities like sand football, volleyball, and frisbee. According to data, Qingdao's local sea fishers have surpassed 200,000, double the number three years prior.

Anglers make a bountiful haul in Qingdao's waters. [Photo/WeChat account: qingdaoxuanchuan2023]

As the renowned China's sailing capital, Qingdao truly shines through sailing. The sport embodies harmony between humans and the sea, complemented by casual coastal activities like jogging and calisthenics that paint vibrant scenes of ocean-life integration.

Qingdao boasts exceptional natural advantages: 11,700 square kilometers of sea area, an 883-km coastline, 120 islands, and over 280 prime days for water sports per year. Building on its Olympic sailing legacy, the city now hosts 15 major international sailing events yearly, the most in Asia.

This aerial photo shows the scene of the 2025 Chinese Paddleboard Club League (Qingdao stop). [Photo by Wang Lei/WeChat account: qingdaoxuanchuan2023]

Looking ahead, Qingdao will continue to expand its sailing industry chain while developing premium infrastructure across key bays. The city is also diversifying into trendy water sports like paddleboarding and creating branded events to engage youth. These efforts are transforming marine advantages into consumer momentum, making sailing and other water sports accessible to all while solidifying Qingdao's status as a premier sports city.