Qingdao 3 Days 2 Nights Travel Guide

I am a travel blogger, and today I have customized a cost-effective, comfortably paced, and highly photogenic Qingdao 3 days 2 nights travel guide for you, with a strict budget under 2000 RMB. I will take you to check in at red tiles and green trees, blue sea and sky, drink original draft beer, eat spicy stir-fried clams, stroll through Badaguan, climb Signal Hill, visit Taidong Night Market, and experience the romance and lively atmosphere of the "Oriental Switzerland"! Recommended travel time: May to October (best in summer, with refreshing sea breeze, suitable for swimming) Suitable cities: Beijing, Jinan, Zhengzhou, Nanjing, etc., with direct high-speed rail access, convenient transportation! Total budget allocation (per person): 2000 RMB Transportation: 600 RMB (round-trip major transport + local transport) Accommodation: 600 RMB (2 nights × 300 RMB) Meals: 400 RMB (6 meals × 70 RMB) Tickets + experiences: 300 RMB Pocket money + souvenirs: 100 RMB You can still enjoy the quality of the "Mountain and Sea City" on a tight budget! Day 1: Arrive in Qingdao × Zhanqiao Pier Sea View × Old Town Stroll × Taidong Night Market Carnival Morning: Arrive in Qingdao It is recommended to choose an early high-speed train (e.g., Jinan → Qingdao Station, about 2.5 hours, second class seat 144 RMB) After arriving at Qingdao Station, it’s a 5-minute walk to Zhanqiao Pier, super convenient! Luggage storage: lockers at the station or scenic spots (5-10 RMB/item) Recommended accommodation: Stay in Shinan District Old Town or near Zhongshan Road, within walking distance to attractions Guesthouses/chain hotels: such as Atour, Ji Hotel, or German-style villas, average 300 RMB/night Afternoon: Zhanqiao Pier × St. Michael’s Cathedral × Signal Hill Park Zhanqiao Pier: free! Watch seagulls circle, take photos at Huilan Pavilion with a cinematic vibe St. Michael’s Cathedral: Gothic architecture, ticket 10 RMB, climb the tower to overlook red tiles and green trees Signal Hill Park: ticket 10 RMB, 15-minute climb to the top, 360° panoramic view of "red tiles, green trees, blue sea, and sky" Photo tips: Wear a light-colored long dress to shoot "European small town style" in front of the cathedral The rotating viewing platform at the top of Signal Hill is a top photo spot! Evening: Taidong Pedestrian Street Night Market (full of lively atmosphere) Qingdao’s busiest night market, full of snacks: Grilled squid (15 RMB) Laoshan mushroom stewed chicken (25 RMB) Seafood pancake (12 RMB) Traditional yogurt (5 RMB) Original draft beer (10 RMB/cup) — a must-try! Per person: 70 RMB Day 1 estimated expenses: Transportation: 144 (high-speed train) + 10 (subway/walking) = 154 RMB Accommodation: 300 RMB Meals: 70 RMB Tickets: 10 + 10 = 20 RMB Total: 544 RMB Day 2: Badaguan Stroll × Second Beach × Qingdao Beer Museum × Dengzhou Road Late-night Snacks Morning: Badaguan Scenic Area (World Architecture Expo) Free admission, over 20 German, Russian, and American-style villas hidden among tree-lined paths Must-walk route: Juyongguan Road → Linhuaiguan Road → Junanguan Road Shady trees, perfect for beautiful photos Photo spots: Huashilou (ticket 8.5 RMB), Princess Building (ticket 20 RMB, optional) Noon: Second Beach Less crowded and beautiful scenery, fine sand beach, barefoot water stepping, great for sea view photos Nearby cafes to watch the tide rise and fall Lunch: Seafood restaurants near Badaguan Recommended: "Fisherman’s Courtyard" or "Seafood House" Must order: Spicy stir-fried clams, steamed swimming crab, mackerel dumplings Per person: 80 RMB Afternoon: Qingdao Beer Museum (a must-visit!) Ticket: 60 RMB (includes guided tour + original draft + souvenir cup) Address: No. 56 Dengzhou Road, Shibei District, former Qingdao Brewery No. 1 Factory Highlights: Learn about the century-old beer history Free unlimited tasting of two original drafts + pure draft Takeaway beer with souvenir cup (20 RMB/cup) Evening: Dengzhou Road Beer Street or small tavern party Recommended: "Old Xie Wild Wontons" (top Qingdao late-night snack) or "Kaihai" Order a pitcher of original draft beer, paired with spicy stir-fried sea snails, grilled sea intestines, peanuts and edamame Per person: 90 RMB (including drinks) Day 2 estimated expenses: Transportation: 10 RMB (bus + taxi) Tickets: 8.5 + 60 = 68.5 RMB Meals: 80 + 90 = 170 RMB Accommodation: 300 RMB Total: 548.5 RMB Day 3: Xiaoyushan Park × University Road Instagram Walls × Return Trip Morning: Xiaoyushan Park (free! A hidden gem) Ticket: free, 10-minute climb to the top Three major viewing pavilions: Spring, Summer, Autumn, offering 360° panoramic views of the old town Less crowded than Signal Hill, more focused views, quieter for photos Noon: University Road × Yushan Road Art Tour University Road Instagram walls: red walls and yellow tiles, cafes everywhere, a must-visit photo spot Recommended cafes: "Manner," "Milk," "COTTON" Yushan Road: old villa clusters + cherry blossom path, full of artistic atmosphere Lunch: Creative restaurants on University Road Recommended: "Erma Tavern" or "Old Place Restaurant" Must order: Qingdao cold noodles, spicy octopus, beer-braised meat Per person: 70 RMB Afternoon: Buy souvenirs + return trip Recommended souvenirs: Qingdao Beer Original Draft Gift Box (6 cans) → 80 RMB (optional) Seafood sauce/shrimp skin → 50 RMB Available at Taidong or train station Return high-speed train: Recommended departure before 1:00 PM Qingdao → Jinan: 144 RMB | other cities priced accordingly Day 3 estimated expenses: Transportation: 10 (bus) + 144 (high-speed train) = 154 RMB Meals: 70 RMB Tickets: 0 Souvenirs: 50 RMB (optional) Total: 274 RMB (224 RMB without souvenirs) Total expense summary (excluding souvenirs): Round-trip transportation: 154 + 154 = 308 RMB Accommodation: (2 nights) 600 RMB Meals: 70 + 170 + 70 = 310 RMB Tickets: 20 + 68.5 = 88.5 RMB Local transportation: 10 + 10 + 10 = 30 RMB Other pocket money: reserved 200 RMB Total: 1836.5 RMB Perfectly controlled within 2000 RMB! You can even save 163.5 RMB to buy a bottle of original draft beer for the road! Tips (Qingdao Pitfall Guide): 1. Don’t buy beer in scenic spots: supermarket original draft 10 RMB/cup, scenic spots double the price! 2. Avoid seafood overcharging: ask prices before ordering, charged by "portion" not "piece" 3. Wear comfortable shoes: Qingdao has many slopes, expect 20,000 steps a day 4. Sunscreen + jacket: strong UV by the sea, windy and cool in the evening 5. Avoid holidays: May Day and National Day are crowded, weekdays are recommended This Qingdao 3 days 2 nights trip covers mountains, sea, old town, beer, and art. It has the poetry of "red tiles and green trees" and the boldness of "original draft with barbecue." Worth the money, delicious, and photogenic! If you also love city travel with stories, flavors, and emotions, save this guide and set off next summer! I am Lele, taking you into China’s most beautiful coastal painting. Where to next? Leave a comment and I will customize an exclusive route for you!