Tsingtao or Qingdao? Either way, a beer icon

Tsingtao Brewery's century of history and worldwide reputation are the backbone of the Qingdao International Beer Festival.

Though the old-fashioned spelling Tsingtao differs from the present-day rendering Qingdao, the beer is sometimes a much more recognized icon than the city itself.

"The brand of the beer has already infiltrated into the blood of Qingdao residents. Many tourists know of Qingdao because of its beer. What's behind the beer is the vibrant culture and rich history that grows along with the city," Tsingtao Beer Chairman Sun Mingbo said.