Marked by the huge flaming sculpture called 'Wind of May', May Fourth Square is a symbol of the 1919 May Fourth Movement — a key moment in China’s modern history when students led an uprising that sparked a wave of nationalism. The square connects the Qingdao municipal government building with the coast, and it’s made up of two main areas: City Hall Square and Central Square. By day, it’s a popular spot for a stroll, and by night, the square is brought to life with colourful lights and a graceful water fountain.

Heart Reef, located in Hardy Reef, is an amazing composition of coral shaped by nature into a heart. Heart Reef can best be experienced from the sky by helicopter or seaplane departing from Hamilton Island. Hamilton Island Air is one of the companies offering this experience, which also includes landing on the beautiful Whitehaven Beach. For more information and to book a tour visit the website below.

More than 70 percent of Hamilton Island is pristine natural bushland, which offers over 20 kilometres of scenic bushwalking trails. There are trails of different lengths and for all levels of fitness. Take a bushwalk up to Passage Peak, the highest point on the island, for the most breathtaking view of the Coral Sea and surrounding islands.

First held in 1991, the Qingdao International Beer Festival has grown into Asia’s largest beer event. Every August, starting on the second Sunday of the month, the festival kicks off and runs for 16 days in the city’s Shilaoren National Tourism Resort. This sprawling 35-hectare 'Beer City' is built specifically for the occasion, where beer lovers from all over the world come together. While you can always grab a Tsingtao Beer in Qingdao, nothing compares to the carnival buzz of the festival. Expect a fun mix of live music, international brews, and plenty of opportunities to sample the local favourite—Tsingtao Beer, of course. One quirky Qingdao tradition to note: fresh beer is often sold in plastic bags. So, don’t be surprised when you see people strolling the streets with a bag of beer in hand. It's all part of the fun.