Little Qingdao (Xiao Qingdao)

The basics

There’s a small entrance fee to visit Little Qingdao Island, payable on the mainland when you join the causeway. Both the lighthouse and the torpedo depot are closed to visitors, so most travelers spend their time walking around the island, hiking up to the lighthouse, enjoying the sea breezes, and taking in the views. The island covers just 30 acres (12 hectares), so it doesn’t take long to explore. Most travelers visit independently.

Things to know before you go

• Little Qingdao Island is a great option for photographers and nature lovers.

• The island isn’t a good spot for a swim: Head to one of the city’s recognized bathing beaches if you want a dip.

• Paths on the island are generally smooth, well-made, and wheelchair friendly.

How to get there

Little Qingdao Island sits off the coast of central Qingdao about 0.5 miles (800 meters) south of Zhanqiao Pier. The entrance is by the Navy Museum. The easiest way to get here is by DiDi rideshare, but you can also catch several city buses to Qingdao Lu Xun Park.

When to get there

Little Qingdao is open from early in the morning until the evening, seven days a week, with slightly shorter hours during winter. The weather is best during late spring, summer, and early fall, roughly May through September.

Discovering Qingdao’s islands

Qingdao means “Green Island'', and this coastal city offers plenty of islands to explore. Rugged, mountainous Qingdao Jiaonan Lingshan Island still houses traditional fishing villages and simple guesthouses; Zhucha Island is a volcanic isle that’s rapidly developing tourist infrastructure; Xuejia Island, which is a peninsula, pairs German colonial mansions with long, golden sand beaches.