Introduction to Qingdao

Updated: 2006-08-09 16:43

Qingdao, the host city for the 29th Olympic Sailing Regatta in 2008, is a coastal city located between north latitude 35.35' to 37.09' and east longitude 119.30' to 121.00'.

The city is seated with the Yellow Sea on the east and south, adjoins the cities of Yantai, Rizhao and Weifang to the northeast, southwest and west respectively, and faces North Korea, South Korea and Japan across the sea. The total area of Qingdao is 10,654 square kilometers with the urban area totaling 1,102 square kilometers.

The population of Qingdao totals 7,104,900, while the urban population is 2,376,000.
Qingdao has a monsoon climate of north temperate zone with featuring a marine climate, such as moist air, abundant rainfall and four distinctive seasons. It is neither too hot in summer nor too cold in winter. The annual average temperature is 12.2。C. The hottest month is August with an average temperature of 25。C and the coldest month is January with an average temperature of 1.3。C. The annual average rainfall is 775.6mm. Qingdao is a city ideally suitable for living and vacation.

The city is known as a summer resort with a rich historical background and natural beauty. The landscape of Qingdao is often described as the pearl on the crown of the Yellow Sea. Qingdao is one of China's five largest ports and the only port with an annual handling capacity of 100 million tons of coal, ore, petroleum, containers and bulk cargo.

There are many tourist attractions in Qingdao, including Mount Laoshan, bathing beaches and buildings with European and Japanese style. Many events, such as the Qingdao Foreign Economy and Trade Fair, the Qingdao International Beer Festival, the Love of Sea Festival, the Cherry-blossom Festival and Summer of Qingdao (Arts Festival) are held annually, entertaining thousands of domestic and overseas visitors.

Qingdao is a major city for finance and foreign trade in Shandong province as well. Some of the local companies, such as Haier, Hisense, Tsingtao Brewery and Aucma, are widely recognized. Qingdao has established practical and extensive connections with foreign countries and overseas organizations for economic cooperation and exchange, resulting in a stable increase of business involving foreign economy and trade.

Qingdao, a city full of hospitality as frank and hearty as the sea, welcomes friends from all over the world.