Qingdao, which was once known in the West as ‘Tsingtao’, lies at the southern tip of the Shandong Peninsula in North-Eastern China. The city has seven urban districts and five county-level
cities under its jurisdiction with an area of 10,654 square kilometres.
Qingdao is the fourth-largest port in China and the second-largest city in the Shandong province. A booming industry and an entrepreneurial spirit have launched the city into the 21st century.
Visas
All international travellers require visas although Brunei, Japan, and Singapore passport holders are able to enjoy visa-free access to China for up to 15 days.
Standard 30-day, single-entry visas can be issued in three to five working days from most Chinese embassies, and must be used within three months of the date of issue. Longer visas are often more difficult to obtain.
For further details, consult with your travel agent, China International Travel Service, China Travel Service, or any Chinese embassy or consulate.
View visa requirements from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China
Currency
The Chinese currency is known as renminbi (RMB). Credit cards are accepted in major hotels as well as shopping malls.
Here are the most recent exchange rates for some common currencies.
RMB 1.00
equals:
|
Exchange Rates
|
Currency
|
|
0.17
|
Australian Dollar
(AUD)
|
|
0.12
|
Euro
(EUR)
|
|
0.11
|
British Pound
(GBP)
|
|
1.25
|
Hong Kong Dollar
(HKD)
|
|
9.00
|
Indian Rupee
(INR)
|
|
16.42
|
Japanese Yen
(JPY)
|
|
0.20
|
New Zealand Dollar
(NZD)
|
|
0.20
|
Singapore Dollar
(SGD)
|
|
0.16
|
US Dollar
(USD)
|
Taxes
A 15% surcharge including government tax is applicable in most hotels and some private restaurants.
Tipping
Many mid-range and top-end restaurants include their own service charge that varies between establishments.
Officially, tipping is considered inappropriate and is discouraged.
Business Hours
Bank Hours
8.30am - 5pm, Monday through Sunday
9.30am - 4pm, Saturday and Sunday
Office Hours
8.30 am - 5.30pm, Monday through Friday
Shop Hours
9.30am - 9.30pm or later, Monday through Sunday
Department stores are open 9 am to 9 pm every day. Opening hours may vary.
Public Health
Visitors entering China are required to complete a health declaration form. Check with
your local doctor about your vaccination requirements.
Shangri-La recommends you drink only boiled or bottled water during your stay. Complimentary bottled drinking water is available in every room.
Dress
Dress is generally informal in Qingdao except on business, diplomatic or government occasions when a suit and tie is appropriate.
Winter requires heavy clothing, including coats, hats, and gloves as temperatures can drop to well
below freezing with strong winds. Light clothing is appropriate for spring and summer months.
Weather
Qingdao has a seasonal climate ranging from warm during summer – 26°C to 30°C (79°F to 86°F) – to cold during winter – 8°C to 10°C (18°F to 50°F).
Today
Showers
Rain and drizzle in the afternoon
|
High:
|
21°C /
69°F
|
|
Low:
|
17°C /
62°F
|
Tomorrow
Rain
Rain
|
High:
|
21°C /
69°F
|
|
Low:
|
17°C /
62°F
|
|
Tuesday:
|
|
Mostly Cloudy
|
High:
26°C /
78°F
|
Low:
18°C /
64°F
|
|
Wednesday:
|
|
Intermittent Clouds
|
High:
26°C /
78°F
|
Low:
17°C /
62°F
|