Qingdao is a picturesque coastal city that lies on the southern tip of China's Shandong Peninsula, located in JiaoZhou Bay facing the Yellow Sea. Qingdao, with an annual average temperature of 12.2°C, is also a well-known holiday resort in China.

As one of China's most important independent coastal cities with state planning and budgeting powers including provincial power in economic management, the city has recently experienced rapid growth. The Qingdao Economic and Technological Development Zone (QETDZ), located in Huangdao, along with the new Central Business District (CBD) near the Qingdao International Marina & Water Sports Center, east of May 4th Square and the city government building, combine to form Shandong's premier coastal business Mecca. Its major industries include trade, light industry, pharmaceuticals, tourism and oceanography research.

Qingdao is well known for its European architecture and attractive coastal landscape. With its abundance of natural beauty and growing human resources, the year-round schedule of tourist attractions and events, coupled with numerous tourist facilities as well as an extensive public transportation network, make Qingdao an ideal tourist destination both at home and abroad.

In 2008, Qingdao hosted the Sailing Regattas of the 29th Olympic Games as well as the 13th Paralympic Games and in 2009 welcomed sailors from the Volvo Ocean Race (VOR 2008-2009).