An ancient village with over 600 years of history | Known as "China's Most Beautiful Fishing Village"

Qingdao Qingshan Fishing Village Travel Guide: A Hidden Mountain and Sea Secret in Laoshan Qingshan Fishing Village, an ancient village with over 600 years of history, is located on the southeastern foothills of the Laoshan Scenic Area. Surrounded by the sea on three sides and built along the mountains, the red-tiled stone houses harmonize beautifully with the blue sea, tea gardens, and terraced fields. It is praised as "China's Most Beautiful Fishing Village" and is an excellent place to escape the city's hustle and bustle and encounter a slow-paced life. This guide will help you unlock the mountain and sea scenery, fishing village customs, and practical tips for an easy and enjoyable secret journey. 1. Best Travel Time - Core period: May to October, with pleasant climate and blue sea. In May, you can enjoy the lush green tea gardens; summer offers a cool escape and water fun; September to October is the best time for the plumpest seafood, offering great value. - Peak avoidance advice: Avoid the peak season of July and August and public holidays. On weekends, it is recommended to travel early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid crowds and capture the fishing village’s beauty in soft light. 2. Transportation Guide 1. Self-driving (recommended) - Route: City center → Binhai Avenue → Yangkou Checkpoint → Qingshan Fishing Village (about 50 minutes). The coastal road along the way offers stunning scenery. - Key tip: Contact your guesthouse/fishing homestay in advance to register your license plate for passing through Yangkou Checkpoint; after 4 PM, no registration is needed for direct passage. Set navigation to "Yangkou Checkpoint" first to avoid being directed to the restricted Liuqing Scenic Area entrance. 2. Public Transportation - Take Metro Line 4 to Dahedong Station or bus 110/109 to Yangkou Station, then transfer to bus 618 directly to "Qingshan South" Station (about 1.5 hours total). You can get off anytime to check out attractions along the way, but pay attention to departure times. 3. Must-Visit Spots 1. Core Viewing and Strolling - West Village Viewing Platform: The best spot to overlook the entire fishing village, with scattered red-tiled houses and blue sea dotted with fishing boats. The sunrise and sunset light and shadow are stunning, and aerial photography is impressive (note drone restrictions in the scenic area). - Stone-paved Ancient Alley: Wander through winding stone paths, visit century-old stone houses, encounter sunbathing fishermen and lazy cats, and feel the authentic fishing village atmosphere. - Fishing Village Pier: From 5:00 to 7:00 AM, watch fishing boats return and fishermen sorting their catch, perfect for cultural photography; in the evening, capture the sunset glow over the fishing harbor. 2. Mountain and Sea Hiking and Secret Exploration - Taiqing Palace Trail: A 30-minute walk from the village to the Taoist holy site Taiqing Palace (ticket 27 RMB), accompanied by pine forests, strange rocks, and sea views, easy and pleasant. - Baxian Dun (Advanced Route): A 2-hour coastal hike to the starting point of the "Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea" legend, featuring jagged rocks, crashing waves, and magnificent sea erosion landforms. It is recommended to go with companions or hire a local guide. - Dreamy Beach: The pebble beach at Shijing Bay, colorful and sparsely visited, with the soothing sound of waves hitting the pebbles. It is a 1-hour walk from Parking Lot No.1 in the south of the village along a small path (note physical fitness and safety). 3. Fishing Village Life Experience - Tide Pooling and Shellfish Gathering: Check the tide schedule in advance; at low tide, dig clams and catch crabs in the reef area near the village for an immersive fishing life experience. - Sea Fishing: Rent a fishing boat with a guide to go out to sea, feel the sea breeze and waves, and bring back the fresh catch to the fishing homestay for cooking—freshly caught seafood that will amaze your taste buds. - Tea Garden Tasting: Visit local tea gardens to taste freshly roasted Laoshan green tea and enjoy the tea aroma between the mountains and sea. 4. Food and Accommodation Recommendations 1. Must-Try Foods - Seafood Feast: Wild mackerel dumplings, steamed swimming crab, braised halibut, stir-fried sea intestines—all freshly caught and cooked at the pier, fresh and delicious. - Specialty Snacks: Wanggezhuang big steamed buns (plump and rich in wheat aroma), Laoshan mushroom stewed chicken, sweet dried fish. You can enjoy authentic fishing village flavors for 30-50 RMB per person. - Recommended Shops: Local old shops like "Qingshan Fishing Homestay" offer fresh ingredients and great value. You can ask your guesthouse owner for recommendations in advance. 2. Accommodation Options - High-end Homestays: Within the Laoshan Scenic Area, such as "Yu Shang Shan Jian," featuring private hot springs and mountain view terraces, suitable for travelers seeking comfort. - Cost-effective Choices: Family inns within the fishing village (200-400 RMB/night), some as low as 100-200 RMB/night, clean and tidy, offering a warm atmosphere to experience fishing village night talks and live with fishermen for a more immersive experience. 5. Practical Tips 1. Tickets: The fishing village is free to enter. Separate tickets are required for the main Laoshan scenic spots (such as Taiqing Palace). Some attractions close in winter, so avoid going blindly. 2. Gear: Strong UV rays by the sea, bring sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses; large temperature differences between morning and evening, so bring a light jacket regardless of spring, autumn, or summer; weak mobile signal, remember to bring a power bank. 3. Safety: Wear non-slip shoes for hiking wild routes like Baxian Dun and go with companions; those allergic to seafood should prepare allergy medicine in advance; do not board unlicensed fishing boats. 4. Souvenirs: Laoshan green tea, dried seafood (dried fish, kelp), shell jewelry, and Laoshan green stone are all cost-effective local specialties. 6. Sample Itinerary (2 days 1 night) - Day 1: Arrive at the fishing village in the morning, stroll through the stone-paved ancient alley and check in at the West Village Viewing Platform; have a fishing family lunch; in the afternoon, visit tea gardens for tea tasting or watch fishing boats return at the pier; enjoy the sunset in the evening and fall asleep to the sound of waves at night. - Day 2: Watch the sunrise over the sea early morning and go tide pooling; in the morning, go sea fishing or hike the Taiqing Palace trail; have freshly caught seafood for lunch; in the afternoon, shop for souvenirs in the fishing village and check in at Dreamy Beach before heading back.