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The Glossary

shan - "means mountain. If you see a shan at the end of the name of a place, it means that it is a mountain in which you may hike, camp, or make a temple visit if it is a sacred mountain."

From China Glossary

Qingdao might be in China, but its cleanliness and beaches are often compared to Switzerland, while its German-period architecture has made it be frequently talked about as the "Bavaria of the Far East." Homesick Germans once called this island their home, even filling it with their Gothic buildings and waft of the world-famous Tsingtao beer. Even today, this major city in Shandong Province is among China's "most beautiful and livable cities" for its lush scenery, efficient transport, and well-maintained colonial heirlooms.

Qingdao stands by its literal meaning as "Blue-Green Island" for its fairly-clean beaches that have gained popularity as local tourists' favorite summer getaways. Among these beaches are Loashan, Old Stone Man, Zhanqiao Pier, Shilaoren, the quiet Beach # 2, Muscle Beach, and City Beach, which has a central island entirely made of recycled plastic.

China's first public aquarium is Qingdao's Aquarium or Underwater World that has a moving platform that takes visitors through the aquarium's tunnel interior. There is a fish to see at the tunnel's every angle and after the viewing, visitors are treated to a mermaid show. Another aquarium, Polar Ocean World, features a beluga whale show as well as a collection of polar creatures, especially penguins and polar bears.

Right after stepping off a train from Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, Harbin or Guangzhou, tourists will be immediately greeted by Qingdao's city symbol, Zhan Qiao, Qingdao's famous pier constructed by Germans during the German concession of the city in the early 20th century. Among the other remnants of German legacy are the Protestant Church, the German governors' resort called Flower-floor, and the twin-spired St. Michael's Cathedral, an example of Neo-Romanesque architecture designed by a German architect.

There is also the Ba Da Guan, with its array of the city's oldest remaining Japanese and German residences, as well as the German Governor's Residence, Jiaozhou Governor's Hall or Qingdao Guest House, the dwelling of past German governors and also where Mao Zedong stayed during a visit. The house is actually a Bavarian-style castle with its own museum, viewing decks, and observatories.

Perhaps, the most important of the Germans' heirlooms is Tsingtao Brewery, with exhibits and a bottling plant that demonstrates beer processing techniques from the 19th to 20th centuries. In celebration of the city's brewing heritage, the Qingdao International Beer Festival is held every August through carnival-type parties, rides, games, food fests, and beer drinking camps.

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