By Xu Jing (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2007-08-10 09:21

Qingdao is perhaps most famously known for the Tsingtao Brewery, which German settlers founded in 1903, and which produces Tsingtao beer, now the most famous beer in China and known worldwide. It is also home to Haier, the third largest white goods manufacturer in the world, and Hisense, a major electronics company in China.

In 1984 the Chinese government named a district of Qingdao a Special Economic and Technology Development Zone (SETDZ). Along with this district, the entire city had gone through amazing development of secondary and tertiary industries. As an important trading port in the province, Qingdao flourishes with foreign investment and international trade. South Korea and Japan in particular made extensive investment in the city. At least 30,000 South Korean nationals reside there. Construction proceeds at a relatively fast pace in Qingdao.

In terms of primary industry, Qingdao has an estimated 50,000 acres (200 km²) of arable land. Qingdao has a zig-zagging pattern coastline, and thus possesses an invaluable stock of fish, shrimp, and other sea resources. Qingdao is also home to a variety of mineral resources. Up to thirty different kinds have been mined. Qingdao's wind power electricity generation performs at among the best levels in the region.

The GDP per capita comprised ¥29,596 (ca. US$3,659) in 2004. The GDP has grown steadily at an average pace of 14% annually.

Through the unique combination of German and Chinese architecture in the city center, combined with modern high-rises and freeways, along a coastline of beaches, rocky headlands, and picturesque cypress trees, give Qingdao a distinct atmosphere not found anywhere else in the world. Qingdao is proud to be the host city for several events of the 2008 Olympics, including the sailing competitions which will take place along the complicated shoreline directly offshore from the city.

Unlike many large Chinese cities with a long history, Qingdao is a relative newcomer, being nothing but a fishing village in 1897. The majority of residents are immigrants having migrated from other locations to take advantage of the opportunities Qingdao offers. Nonetheless a distinctive local accent known as "Qingdao Hua" distinguishes the residents of the city from those of the surrounding province (who speak "Shandong Hua", both being dialects of Mandarin).

The distinctive cuisine is Lu Cai, the Shandong regional style.

The area's most famous festival is the Qingdao International Beer Festival, held annually since 1991.