Le Meridien Qingdao

Local Area

Situated with the Yellow Sea on the east and south, this coastal city faces Korea and Japan across the sea, providing a bridge between Yantai to the northeast, Rizhao to the southwest, and Weifang to the west. The urban area totals 1,102 square kilometers, with a population of 2,376,000.

Qingdao is known as a summer resort with a rich historical background and abundant natural beauty. A marine climate features plenty of moisture and four distinctive seasons, though the city remains mild even in its hottest and coldest months, August and January. Owing to its beautiful landscape, Qingdao is often described as the pearl on the crown of the Yellow Sea. It is one of China's five largest ports, and the only port with an annual handling capacity of 100 million tons of coal, ore, petroleum, containers and bulk cargo.

There are numerous tourist attractions in Qingdao, including Mount Laoshan, several attractive beaches, and multiple interesting examples of European and Japanese-style architecture. Events such as the Qingdao Foreign Economy and Trade Fair, the Qingdao International Beer Festival, the Cherry Blossom Festival, and Summer of Qingdao (Arts Festival) are held annually, entertaining thousands of domestic and overseas visitors. Qingdao, host city for the 29th Olympic Sailing Regatta in 2008 plus several other sailing competitions annually, is an increasingly popular sailing destination located between north latitude 35?35' to 37?09' and east longitude 119?30' to 121?00'.

Qingdao is also a major centre for finance and foreign trade in the Shandong Province. Local companies such as Haier, Hisense, Tsingtao Brewery, and Aucma are widely recognized. Qingdao has established practical and extensive connections with foreign countries and overseas organizations for economic cooperation and exchange, resulting in a stable increase of business involving foreign economy and trade.