Northern Star

As a tourist destination, the northeastern city of Qingdao may not immediately come to mind the way that megacities like Beijing and Shanghai do, but it has its own charm, says NUS alumnus Mr David Lye, who has called the city home for nearly 30 years. “It has a unique culture of its own, thanks to its history as a German outpost,” explains the NUS Overseas Alumni Qingdao Ambassador, who is married to a Qingdao native, Ms Cynthia Xin.

Since 2004, Mr Lye has run a successful auto export business from the city. In the early 2000s, starting a business in Qingdao was a no-brainer. However, starting and running a business has gotten harder in recent years, given the growing tariffs and trade war between the United States and China. Still, this should matter little to travellers visiting the city whose name loosely translates to “green island”. “It blends the best of both worlds,” says Mr Lye, pointing to how the old city has been preserved, with distinctive cobbled streets, colonial German architecture and red-roofed villas across the city.

Food in Qingdao has been greatly influenced by its location overlooking the Yellow Sea. “I always recommend guests to try the seafood here: scallops, crabs, squid, yellow croaker… they are all fresh and can be cooked in any style you want,” he says.

Sights in Qingdao largely centre on its unique history, a legacy of the city’s German occupation between 1898 and 1914. The Qingdao Beer Museum provides a glimpse back in time through old photos and preserved brewery equipment. You can also get to meet the staff behind the iconic beer and sample various brews.

“Don’t leave the city without checking out the old city”, says Mr Lye. Noteworthy attractions include St Michael’s Cathedral, a grand edifice built in the 1930s with a blend of Gothic and Romanesque architecture, and the Governor’s House, originally the residence of the German governor and presently a captivating museum.

Travellers would love Qingdao because of its weather! “We have four distinct seasons,” says Mr Lye. The best time to visit is between April and May, when thousands of cherry trees bloom. Who says you need to go to Japan to take in the sakura season?

The most underrated shopping destination in the city is the Jimo road market, home to an assortment of goods and wares, all at low prices. A highlight to buy is jade and pearls, although the adage ‘If it’s too good to be true, it probably isn’t true!’ applies here.

Text by Keenan Pereira. Photos courtesy of David Lye