alian Summer Research Program 2005
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Qingdao
After spending a couple of days with the whole group in Potsdam, we decided that we should take a trip to Qingdao to see them part way through the trip. So, two weeks after the trip to Shanghai we flew over there. Graduate students helped book our flights, and they cost Y760. We just doubled up in the Qingdao group's rooms. The following is a brief description of the highlights of our weekend there.
Lao Shan
This is the resplendent pearl of Qingdao. Lao Shan is a mountainous park that is about an hour away by bus. There are hiking trails all over this mountain. The trails have steps and a (mostly) paved trail, so it's not like hiking the Appalachians or anything. Several of us wore sandals and had no trouble. The scenery around the whole Lao Shan area is spectacular and grandiose, and there are many interesting things to see, like a small temple. There are also vendors along the trail in case you get hungry, or need to buy a dried snake or pile of trinkets. We spent most of a day there, but could have spent another. This place is fantastic, and the trip to Qingdao would have been worth it if this was the only thing we did.
Qingdao Brewery
Tsing Tao beer was one of our favorites in Dalian, so going to the brewery once we got to Qingdao was a given. The cheap tour costs Y 50, and you get a free commemorative glass at the end. The tour guide seemed a little impatient though, so if you want to learn about the history of Tsing Tao beer, you shouldn't let her push you around. You also get free beer, so with any luck you should be drunk by mid-morning.
Zhong Shan Gong Yuan
We went to this park directly after the brewery tour, so we had a great time there. It is a pretty generic Chinese park, with nice gardens and things. There is a walkway with the animals of the Chinese zodiac in order there, and weird statues.
TV Tower
The view here would be nice if there were no clouds. The restaurant is mediocre, although it revolves, which would also make for a good view on a clear day.
Wu Si Guang Chang (May 4th Square)
May 4th Square is relatively small compared to the enormous squares in Dalian, and there isn't a whole lot to do there. The giant trademark sculpture of Qingdao is there, so it's worth going if you find yourself in Qingdao. Just don't plan to spend more than an hour there, and you should be fine.
Beer-in-a-Bag
Qingdao is famous for their beer, and no trip to Qingdao would be complete without getting beer-in-a-bag. They sell this beer out of kegs on the street, using a small spring scale to weigh out the amount of beer you ask for. Then you get a small straw to punch through the side of the bag to drink out of. If you are too much of a ninja though, you may punch all the way through both sides of the bag. If this happens, whatever you do, don't remove the straw, or else your beer will leak all over. No one likes a beer waster.