Qingdao's Badaguan and Second Beach: A Tale of Sycamores and Waves

Push open a rusty iron gate in Badaguan, and you'll find yourself immersed in the sound of waves at the Second Beach. A 600-acre colonial villa complex and a 3,000-meter sandy beach share the same sea breeze, where Gothic spires cast fragmented shadows on the waves, and at the end of the bougainvillea-lined path, a vast expanse of blue suddenly unfolds. On the asphalt road shaded by Russian sweetgum trees, bridal gowns sweep past the walls of Chiang Kai-shek's former residence, and at the corner, you encounter the dark green marble villa once inhabited by a Danish princess. When you count to the eighth carved street sign, the salty wind will suddenly push aside all the tree shadows—beyond the ochre reefs, the beach is adorned with lace-like edges by the waves. At low tide, the beach volleyball net and German-style dormer windows gaze at each other in the twilight, while hermit crabs, carrying spiral staircase-like shells, crawl across the Victoria-style terrace base soaked by seawater. ■ Travel Guide: ① Take Metro Line 3 to "Zhongshan Park Station" and exit at Entrance C. Walk straight along Zhengyangguan Road towards the sea for 10 minutes to reach the beach. ② Take Bus 214/219 to "Wushengguan Road Station," then pass through the villa complex at No. 11 Juyongguan Road to arrive at the beach. ③ From the Third Beach, walk west along the coastal boardwalk. Turn right at the Huashi Lou ruins, and let the sea breeze guide you. The tides repeatedly inscribe Badaguan's old German name on the beach, while the foam glimmers with peach blossoms fallen from Shaoguan Road.