Xia Temple

With Beijing and Shanghai getting most of the attention, few tourists realise that Qingdao in China is a city full of amazing places to visit and terrific sights to see. Far off the beaten track one will find lost treasures and experience an entirely different world denied to the less adventurous. Qingdao is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in China. Qingdao (which means the ‘Blue-Green Island’) is a part of the Shandong province, situated on the eastern shore of Jiaozhou Bay. The place became quite popular in 2008, when the sailing events of the Beijing Olympics were held here.

Qingdao is a city rich in Chinese history. It was under German rule for a very long time, and the foreigners left a permanent mark on the cityscape. Even today, the city remains an intriguing mix of traditional Chinese and German architecture.  The city’s proximity to the sea, its pleasant climate and the lack of too many tourists make it a terrific place for a vacation. There are many tourist spots that are worth a visit, the Taiqing Palace Tao Temple definitely being one of them.

The Taiqing Palace is a famous Tao temple. It is the largest temple of the eight temples, nine palaces and seventy two nunneries located inside the Laoshan Mountain Tourism Zone, and it also boasts the longest history. The temple is also known as the Xiaqing Palace Tao Temple and was established during the time of the North Song Dynasty (between AD 960- AD 1127). The temple complex consists of three buildings, the Sanqing Palace, the Sanhuang Palace and the Sangong Palace. The Sanhuang Palace is famous for the two ancient cypress trees located there. At the front of the building one will come across a seven hundred years old camellia.

Travellers searching for a hotel in Qingdao with a central location, modern facilities and friendly service will not be disappointed here. Tourists can count on living lavishly at a Qingdao hotel such as the Copthorne Hotel Qingdao. Containing over four hundred tastefully decorated rooms, the hotel is sure to make their guests feel at home.