A road that is made of water

Marine resources will play key role in coastal Qingdao's transformation

The city of Qingdao is best known for Tsingtao beer, its German connections and the sprawling coastline that make it one of China's best holiday spots. As China embraces economic transformation, Qingdao, in Shandong province, like many cities across the country, is looking for a new place in the sun, moving from the toil and sweat of manufacturing to industries that rely more on brain power, innovation and technology.

The local government is spending billions of dollars to retool the local industry to adapt to what has been called the blue economy, in which the city is harnessing the power of its maritime economy.