Original source
We Finally Made It to China’s German City… And It’s Nothing Like We Expected
Exploring Qingdao China's Unexpected German City Surprises
We finally arrived in one of China’s most unexpected cities… and from the moment we stepped off the train, it challenged everything we thought we knew. 🇨🇳
European-style streets, surprising local traditions, incredible food, and one experience we definitely weren’t expecting. This place is unlike...
We finally arrived in one of China’s most unexpected cities… and from the moment we stepped off the train, it challenged everything we thought we knew. 🇨🇳 European-style streets, surprising local traditions, incredible food, and one experience we definitely weren’t expecting. This place is unlike anywhere else we’ve visited in China. July 2026 | Vlog 625 | Qingdao, china. Road to Every Province in China: 22/34 so far.
Qingdao throws a delightful curveball: a Chinese city that looks like a slice of Germany. Cobblestone streets, beer halls, and a seaside vibe twist expectations into knots. The couple’s surprise at every turn makes this vlog a refreshing detour from typical China travel. Expect local quirks, mouthwatering food, and a moment that truly catches them off guard.
We finally arrived in one of China’s most unexpected cities… and from the moment we stepped off the train, it challenged everything we thought we knew. 🇨🇳 European-style streets, surprising local traditions, incredible food, and one experience we definitely weren’t expecting. This place is unlike anywhere else we’ve visited in China. July 2026 | Vlog 625 | Qingdao, china. Road to Every Province in China: 22/34 so far.
In this video, travelers Reanne and Ben finally arrive in Qingdao, a city in Shandong Province that they've been eager to visit for over two years. They're immediately struck by how different it is from other Chinese cities—it's a beer lover's paradise with a strong German colonial influence.<br><br>Their first stop is the bustling area around the Tsingtao Beer Museum, but the massive queues deter them from entering. Instead, they explore the surrounding streets, marveling at the sheer volume of beer-related everything. Ben notes that unlike in the UK or US, there are no police and no visibly drunk people, despite the beer festival atmosphere. The couple then attempts to navigate the city's metro system, hilariously getting lost in true OTWD style. They eventually find their way to a famous pedestrian street lined with street food stalls and beer vendors.<br><br>A highlight is their interaction with a local beer vendor, where Ben confidently samples different brews while Rianne opts for a local cola. They also indulge in juicy Chinese sausages and a flaky beef pie, all while soaking in the vibrant night market energy. The couple then visits St. Michael's Church, a landmark from the German colonial era, and notices locals collecting shells on the beach—a curious local tradition. As night falls, they head to May Fourth Square, where the city transforms into a stunning cyberpunk skyline, a complete contrast to the old-world German architecture seen earlier. Ben also shares a fun fact: the beer is spelled 'Tsingtao' because it retains the original German spelling, while the city was later anglicized to 'Qingdao'. The video ends with a teaser for Ben's upcoming birthday stay at a unique hotel.
Forget everything you thought you knew about China. In Qingdao, European-style streets meet neon-lit cyberpunk towers, all fueled by world-class beer. Join Reanne & Ben as they chase the perfect pint, bite into sizzling street food, and discover why this coastal city is the country's most underrated surprise.
In Qingdao, travelers Reanne and Ben explore German-style streets, taste local beer, and discover a surprising cyberpunk skyline.
Qingdao China German City Street Food Beer Travel Vlog
9:40 Use the Alipay metro app to quickly scan QR codes for subway entry in Qingdao, rather than buying paper tickets at machines.
17:07 Try sampling different beers before buying at street stalls—vendors are happy to let you taste, especially the fruity options which are great for non-beer drinkers.
22:50 Visit the cobblestone streets around St. Michael's Church and Zhongshan Road for a mix of German colonial architecture and Chinese street food culture.
32:17 Head to May Fourth Square at night to see Qingdao's surprising cyberpunk skyline, a stark contrast to the old-town European vibe.
29:22 Don't skip the 'juicy sea sausage cake' (juicy shrimp cake) from street vendors—it's a local specialty with a flaky pastry and rich filling.
9:40 Use the Alipay metro app to quickly scan QR codes for subway entry in Qingdao, rather than buying paper tickets at machines.
17:07 Try sampling different beers before buying at street stalls—vendors are happy to let you taste, especially the fruity options which are great for non-beer drinkers.
22:50 Visit the cobblestone streets around St. Michael's Church and Zhongshan Road for a mix of German colonial architecture and Chinese street food culture.
32:17 Head to May Fourth Square at night to see Qingdao's surprising cyberpunk skyline, a stark contrast to the old-town European vibe.
29:22 Don't skip the 'juicy sea sausage cake' (juicy shrimp cake) from street vendors—it's a local specialty with a flaky pastry and rich filling.
0:42 Arriving in Qingdao for beer
2:14 Exploring the Beer Museum street
6:18 Getting lost looking for metro
15:08 Street food and beer tasting
21:30 German colonial architecture
23:49 St. Michael's Church and shells
32:17 Cyberpunk skyline at night
0:42 Arriving in Qingdao for beer
2:14 Exploring the Beer Museum street
6:18 Getting lost looking for metro
15:08 Street food and beer tasting
21:30 German colonial architecture
23:49 St. Michael's Church and shells
32:17 Cyberpunk skyline at night
Why is Tsingtao beer spelled differently from the city of Qingdao?
Because the beer retains the original spelling from when it was first brewed during the German colonial period, while the city's name was later anglicized to 'Qingdao'.
Was there a lot of police and drunk people at the beer festival?
No, there were hardly any police and no visibly drunk people, which was a stark contrast to what you'd expect at a beer festival in the UK or US.
What was that local cola Rianne tried?
It's a local brand called 'Future Cola', which has a completely different taste from Coca-Cola, more like a Lucozade cola.
