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SCENES & SIGHT
The original name of Qingdao area was Jiao'ao. As early as the New Stone Age, there were primitive people who lived here and created flourishing culture by their hard work. In 1891 (the 17th year of Emperor Guangxu), the government of the Qing Dynasty set up defenses in Jiao'ao, which signified the establishment of Qingdao as an administrative division. In the next year, the Qing government assigned the General-commander of Dengzhou Town , Gao Yuan, to be stationed with his troops in Jiao'ao. In November 1897, Germany took the area by force with the excuse of "Juye Jiao Case", and made the Qing government sign the "Jiao'ao Concession Treaty" on March 6, 1898 . From then on, Jiao'ao was humiliated to be a colony and Shandong Province was put within the sphere of influence of Germany as well. Germany set up the Residence of Governor to force iron-hand colonial ruling upon the locals and attached great importance to the building of the military facilities and the infrastructures such as ports and railways in hope of expanding its invasion of china with Jiao'ao as the bridge head of its political ruling, economic aggression and culture enslavement. In 1914, the Japanese troops attacked Qingdao and in 1922 China took back this area: in 1937 Japan invaded Qingdao for the second time, but on June 2, 1949 Qingdao was liberated at last. Nowadays Qingdao is one of the important opening-up coastal cities in China and is a well-known historical and cultural city with trade, light industry, tourism and oceanography research as its main industries. Zhanqiao Bridge
Built in 1891, Zhanqiao Bridge is the symbol of Qingdao . It is 400 meters long. At the southern end of the bridge stands a Chinese-styled octagonal pavilion named "Huilan Pavilion", where you can enjoy the scene of roaring waves and exotic rocks. To the north of the bridge lies the Zhanqiao Bridge Park , where the combination of colorful flowers, green pines and lawns presents a charming view. Mount Laoshan Known as the " Top Spectacular Mountain on the Sea", Mount Laoshan borders the Yellow Sea . The highest peak has an elevation of 1,133 meters. It towers over the sea with precipitous cliffs and clear streams running through the rocks, so it has been called "Immortals' Cavern" or "Spirits' Fairyland". It was recorded in the book "Records of Qi" that "Though Mount Tai boasts its marvelous clouds, it cannot be compared with those of the Mount Laoshan ". In ancient times, the emperors of Qin and Han dynasties climbed the mountain to seek immortals. Emperor Tang Minghuang also sent people to make pills of immortality here. Many men of letters in history had traveled here. Mount Laoshan enjoyed the fame of the Second Monastery of the Taoist Quanzhen Sect. In its heyday, there were nine Taoist palaces, eight temples and seventy-two Buddhist nunneries. The Laoshan Taoists were well known throughout the country. The scenery of Mount Laoshan is characterized by unique stones and caves, clean springs and waterfalls, and paths winding through high peaks. The cultural sites and natural scenes add radiance and beauty to each other. In 1982, it has been rated as one of the national tourist attractions by the State Council. There are three routes leading to the mountain with different scenery the middle, the southern and the eastern routes. Huiquan Square
The Huiquan square lies in the middle of Wendeng Road , covering an area of 13.43 hectares. It was completed and opened in August 1992. the south part of the square is a musical fountain square of 100 meters in length and 30 meters in width, which is the largest one in China . It is to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Qingdao City . The 36.5-meter-hith triangle glass sculpture is to symbolize 365 days in a year. The north part of the square is a Manila lawn doted with arbors and flowers.
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