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To merely describe Qingdao as possessing plenty of attractions would be a severe understatement. Its geographical blessing of beaches and mountains combine with an Old World colonial setting to create the type of environment that travel agencies like to describe as "the Switzerland of the East".

First and foremost, if you possess a flexible travel schedule, by all means time your visit to coincide with one of Qingdao's major festivals. Spring Festival in particular is memorable, colorful and will not disappoint. Also known as Chinese New Year, it makes the New Year celebrations in New York and Paris seem like polite social gatherings. Dragon dancers loop through the streets and the night ignites with an endless bombardment of fireworks. The Lantern Festival in February marks the end of Spring Festival and is beautiful as well. Or for true summer fun the International Beer Festival enjoys worldwide notoriety.

First time visitors looking to learn what all of Qingdao's hoopla is about should beeline to the Badaguan Scenic Area. More than anywhere else, this district highlights the city's German past. Narrow, tree-lined streets fronted with expansive lawns capped with German-style mansions create the aura of a Bavarian village minus, of course, men in lederhosen. The Granite Mansion, a former German governor's villa built in 1903, also showcases the wonders of Gothic architecture, as does the Protestant Church built in 1911.

Despite these architectural wonders, Qingdao's most famous German legacy can be found at the Qingdao Beer Brewery. Known throughout the world for its green bottled beer, it has been fermenting hops and barley since 1903 and offers tours and samples of its products.

The Zhanqiao Pier, located in Qingdao Bay, houses the Huilan Pavilion, the building seen on Tsingtao beer labels. Besides providing great views of the Qingdao skyline, the pier is also a stopping area for souvenirs. The Little Qingdao Isle, or as locals call it "Lute Island," borders the pier and may rate as one of the most beautiful dots of land in all of China. Though called an island, it is connected to the mainland by a thin thread of land, making it easy to access. Peach and cherry trees canopy a park-like setting that includes several small cafes and a German lighthouse constructed in 1900. Spring, when the trees are in bloom, is incomprehensibly stunning.

If the mood calls for splashing about on Qingdao's famous coastline, there are several city beaches to choose from. Beach Number One and Beach Number Six both border downtown and are both always crowded. For those who prefer a more secluded scene with less people and less souvenir vendors, venture several blocks east of downtown to Beach Number Two. Even Chairman Mao found it worthy for soaking up the rays.

For something more rustic, drive or take a tour bus into the Laoshan Mountains. Besides a collection of hiking trails that boast mind-bending views of dark gorges, twisting waterfalls, and the Yellow Sea, these mountains are best known as the birthplace of Taoism. Mount Taishan, one of China's five holiest mountains, is so universally recognized that in 1987 UNESCO added it to the World Natural and Cultural Heritage list. Sunsets from its summit are legendary. The extremely ambitious can huff to the top of Jufeng Peak, the tallest point in the Laoshan Mountains and exalt above the clouds at 1,133 meters (3717 feet).

For those who prefer something less vertical, Qingdao has fashioned an impressive reputation for golf. The Surf Plaza Golf Club's location along the base of the Laoshan Mountains makes it one of the most scenic courses in all of Asia. And the Qingdao Golf Course enjoys local popularity for its close proximity to downtown.