Qingdao, China 🇨🇳
Nomad Score:
59%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Qingdao is a coastal city in eastern China known for its beaches, beer, and German colonial architecture. |
| 👥 Population | Approx. 9 million |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed is around 50 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | Currency is Chinese Yuan (CNY). Current exchange rate: 1 USD ≈ 7.3 CNY. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Not drinkable; bottled water recommended. |
| 🔌 Power | 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type A/C sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Major providers include China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | International cards accepted widely (Visa, Mastercard). Local services like WeChat Pay and Alipay popular. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, local apartments, and serviced apartments. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cashless payments widely accepted. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local rental agencies offer various choices. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel options include Qingdao Dream House and Hi Inn. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | WeWork Qingdao offers flexible workspaces and networking opportunities. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Cafe Cino is known for its good internet and quiet atmosphere. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Monthly meetups at The British Pub Library. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Qingdao Expats Facebook group organizes regular social events. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Didi Chuxing is the preferred ride-hailing app. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Mobike and Ofo provide bike-sharing services throughout the city. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | No. 1 Bathing Beach is the most popular and accessible beach. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Shandong Airlines offers regional flights. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Air China and China Eastern connect Qingdao to major international cities. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | G15 Shenyang-Haikou Highway provides easy access to nearby cities. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Qingdao Railway Station connects major cities in China. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Public transport cards available for buses and the metro, offering discounts. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Trains and long-distance buses available to cities like Jinan and Weifang. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Qingdao Municipal Hospital provides comprehensive medical services. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Tribe and Pure Yoga offer classes and wellness programs. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness clubs like Anytime Fitness and Will’s Gym operate in the city. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Local laundries and self-service laundromats available throughout Qingdao. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Meituan and Ele.me are popular for food delivery. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Sample Qingdao's renowned seafood and Tsingtao beer. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Vegan options available at restaurants like Vegan Box and Pure Taste. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Try dessert at Starbucks or local boba tea shops. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Local markets like Dongmen Pedestrian Street for fresh produce. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Taobao and JD.com are popular online shopping platforms. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Freshippo and Carrefour provide grocery delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Zhongshan Road is the main nightlife district with bars and clubs. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Tsingtao Brewery offers tours and tastings. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Wine Boss and The Noble Grape serve a range of local and international wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Street food options are abundant near the beach and markets. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | International options include Italian, Indian, and Western restaurants. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Visit the Zhanqiao Pier and Qingdao Beer Museum. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Qingdao Art Museum and Qingdao Underwater World are worth exploring. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | German Governor's Residence and St. Michael's Cathedral showcase colonial history. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Explore the impressive Qingdao Lutheran Church. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Qingdao International Beer Festival, held in August, attracts many visitors. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Tsingtao Beer Street offers a mix of culture and gastronomy. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Qingdao Grand Theatre hosts various performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Food market at Taidong supplies fresh local produce. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Live music often performed in local bars and cafes. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Discover street art around Hong Kong Middle Road. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Culinary classes available at local cooking schools for hands-on experience. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Independent galleries can be found along Xianggang Road. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The historical German architecture is prominent in Old Town. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Tsingtao beer symbolizes Qingdao's German heritage. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Huangdao and Laoshan District offer scenic hiking and coastal views. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Laoshan National Park is renowned for its natural beauty and hiking trails. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Cycling paths along the coastline provide stunning views. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Signal Hill offers panoramic views of the city. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Coastal areas near the Yellow Sea are great for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Designated beach areas allow bonfires on weekends. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | SF Express and YTO Express are reliable delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Multiple tech repair shops available in the city. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Community centers and parks provide table tennis tables. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Language clubs offer Mandarin classes for expats. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Qingdao Library is a quiet place for study. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Cultural and community events hosted at local community centers. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Several gaming lounges around the city cater to gamers. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Limited options; mostly local entertainment venues. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ¥30,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = ¥1,200,000). |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ¥22,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = ¥880,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ¥26,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ¥1,560,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ¥20,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ¥1,200,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ¥24,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ¥1,920,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ¥18,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ¥1,440,000). |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 25% corporate tax rate in China. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | Applicable rate is 10% for foreign residents. |
| 🏦 Tax System | China has a progressive tax system based on worldwide income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 45% maximum personal income tax rate. |
| 🧾 VAT | Standard VAT rate is 13%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, China has stringent rules for foreign subsidiaries. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property tax based on real estate value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Transaction tax typically ranges from 3% to 5%. |