The coastal city of Qingdao in East China's Shandong province has been named a key player in China's newly released "Tourism powerhouse construction during the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30)", which was approved by the State Council and issued by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

The plan, a national roadmap for tourism development through 2030, specifically mentions Qingdao three times, assigning it strategic roles in urban tourism, marine tourism, and inbound tourism.

As a key tourism city, Qingdao is expected to leverage its comprehensive driving effect in regional tourism development. The plan also highlights Qingdao among the cities prioritized for cruise port development and includes it in the national inbound tourism backbone network alongside Beijing and Shanghai.

For the first time, the plan dedicates a section to expanding marine tourism, positioning Qingdao as a key hub for cruise port development and marine leisure.

As the only pilot city in northern China for the construction of cruise homeport consumption facilities and scenario enhancement, Qingdao has been exploring innovative cruise tourism products, including the nation's first "cruise beer festival" static cruise experience, which blends the city's beer culture with marine tourism.

Qingdao's inclusion reflects its growing appeal as an inbound tourism destination, regularly ranking among the top 10 most popular destinations on major online travel platforms.

The city will continue to develop distinctive tourism products and services that resonate with both domestic and international visitors, accelerating its transformation into a world-class coastal resort destination.

A favorite among international tourists, Qingdao offers a perfect mix of cultural experiences and a wide range of retail options. [Photo/Guanhai News]