Tianhou Palace, or the Temple of the Queen of Heaven, in the eastern coastal city of Qingdao, is the perfect place to explore the city's traditional folk arts and culture.

Ancient temples and palaces worshipping the Queen of Heaven can also be seen in many of China's other coastal cities, such as Tianjin, Xiamen, Guangzhou and Quanzhou, as the deity was believed to protect fishermen during voyages.

Located at No 19 Taiping Road, Shinan District of Qingdao, Shandong province, the palace is a celebrated cultural attraction and base for studying the city's folk arts. [Photo by Bo Xianyang/dailyqd.com]