Secret Romantic Route in Qingdao

When you think you have to cross the ocean to experience the romance of the South of France, actually, in Qingdao’s Badaguan, you can embrace such beauty. Red tiles and green trees, blue sea and sky—this is not the South of France, yet it has poetry and charm that rival it. Today, follow this guide to dive into Badaguan and start an immersive romantic journey!

📍Location and Transportation: Badaguan is located at No. 10 Wushengguan Road, Shinan District, Qingdao. The core area extends east to Shanhaiguan Road and west to Wushengguan Road. Transportation is very convenient. By subway, take Line 3 or Line 8 to Zhongshan Park Station, exit C, then a 5-minute walk to the Shaoguan Road entrance; by bus, routes 26, 31, 206, etc., stop at Wushengguan Road Station, directly reaching the core scenic area. For self-driving, just navigate to "Badaguan Parking Lot," but parking spaces are limited and cost about 20 RMB/day, so it’s best to arrive early, before 9 AM, for easier parking.

🎫Tickets and Visiting Information: All roads, central gardens, and the Second Beach in Badaguan are free to access, so you can stroll and take photos freely. If you want to visit some special buildings, like Princess House (20 RMB), featuring Danish blue and white fairy tale style with an Andersen fairy tale exhibition inside—perfect for dreamy photos; Huashi House (8.5 RMB), blending Russian castle and Gothic tower styles, once home to Chiang Kai-shek, with stunning seaside views; Butterfly House (20 RMB), the former residence of Republic of China film star Hu Die, where you can rent vintage qipao dresses (30 RMB/hour) for highly photogenic shots. If you want to visit multiple spots, a combo ticket is more cost-effective: Princess House + Butterfly House + Spanish Style House for only 50 RMB, saving 10 RMB. Opening hours are April to October 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM, November to March 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM, with ticket sales stopping 30 minutes before closing.

🌸Seasonal Aesthetics: Badaguan is picturesque all year round, but each season offers a different way to enjoy it. Spring (April-May), the peach blossoms on Shaoguan Road and crabapple flowers on Ningwuguan Road bloom in competition, with red-tiled buildings and blooming flower seas complementing each other, like stepping into Monet’s garden; Summer (June-August), play in the waves at the Second Beach, watch the sunset dye the sea golden red at Huashi House in the evening—perfect for cooling off; Autumn (September-November), the plane trees on Juyongguan Road turn golden, gingko leaves carpet Jiayuguan Road, and the falling leaves in the autumn breeze create a full vintage atmosphere; Winter (December-February), fewer people and quiet, snow-covered red tiles and green trees make Badaguan look like a Nordic town, perfect for stunning photos.

🗺️Immersive Citywalk Route: Here’s a fantastic route connecting classic buildings, hidden alleys, and seaside scenery, letting you experience the perfect blend of history, culture, and nature. Start from the south gate of Zhongshan Park, walk through the century-old plane tree avenue—less fluff in June-July—feeling Qingdao’s unique “Green City” charm. Then head to Shaoguan Road to check in at the Spanish Style House, with yellow walls, red tiles, and arched windows, perfect for Hong Kong-style photos. Nearby is Songzhu Villa, a Japanese-style garden with a Zen vibe, now a guesthouse. Continue along Jiayuguan Road, a secret leaf-filled spot in autumn with century-old gingko trees lining the path; the best photo time is from late October to mid-November before 10 AM. At Juyongguan Road, don’t miss Princess House, with blue walls, white windows, and blooming roses (May-June). The Danish flag square inside is great for jump shots. Next door, the Song Garden (Soong Mei-ling’s villa) is closed to the public, but the iron fence and climbing ivy walls are perfect for artistic photos. Don’t miss the Longbai secret path on Linhuaiguan Road, a 200-meter-long alley of dragon cypress trees trimmed into mushroom cloud shapes—shoot from a low angle for a strong sense of depth. Wear solid colors for better photo layering. Then walk to the Zhengyangguan branch road, a popular corner called “Little Europe of Qingdao,” with red walls, green trees, and yellow glazed tiles at a three-way intersection—shoot diagonal compositions for a cinematic feel. Finally, reach the Second Beach and Huashi House, cross the wooden boardwalk to the sea. The rocky beach at Huashi House is perfect for “castle and sea” shots, and at low tide, glowing seaweed appears, resembling the Land of Oz.

📸Photography Tips: Taking photos is a must in Badaguan. For composition, use diagonal lines on Longbai Road at Linhuaiguan Road, standing in the middle of the road looking toward the end, placing subjects at the golden ratio points; Princess House arches and Huashi House iron windows are great for framing shots, instantly enhancing depth; in front of Huashi House’s tower, try forced perspective shots “holding up” the tower top for a fairy tale vibe. Lighting is key: 9-11 AM side light on Juyongguan Road highlights architectural reliefs with clear texture; 3-5 PM dappled shadows on Shaoguan Road are perfect for artistic portraits; 6-7 PM backlit silhouettes at the Second Beach and the lit lighthouse at Huashi House create a great atmosphere. For outfits, vintage Republic of China qipao (rentable at Butterfly House), wool coats (autumn), and Chanel-style jackets match old villas perfectly; fresh looks with light dresses and straw hats work well at Princess House’s blue walls or Huashi House’s seaside for a Japanese girl vibe; families can wear matching outfits like British-style suspenders or princess dresses for lovely family photos in Danish fairy tale settings.

🍴Food Map: After exploring, switch to food mode. For coffee and desserts, try “A Cup of Ocean” (Taipingjiao branch), a glass café on the cliff with floor-to-ceiling windows facing the sea—sea salt caramel latte is a must; “HI YA YA CAFE” near Princess House is a Japanese-style courtyard café with chestnut cake and American coffee, sweet and rich. For meals, “No. 9 Shanhaiguan Road” is a restaurant in an old villa serving Shandong seafood dishes—don’t miss scallion-braised sea cucumber and mackerel dumplings; “Little Qingdao Park Seafood Restaurant” is an 8-minute walk from Badaguan’s west gate, with sea views and seafood, about 80 RMB per person, great value. At the Wushengguan Road entrance, “Old Qingdao Popsicles” offer creamy and chocolate flavors that instantly bring back childhood memories.

💡Practical Tips: Weekends from 10 AM to 2 PM are very crowded; it’s best to enter at 8 AM for empty shots or visit after 3:30 PM to avoid crowds. On weekdays mornings, paid attractions have almost no lines, so you can explore leisurely. Also, the eastern extension area of Badaguan, Taipingjiao Park, has free wooden boardwalks and seaside piano sculptures with few people and beautiful views; the former residence of Li Siguang is now the Geological Light Exhibition Hall (free), with Republic of China architecture and geology knowledge—great for families. There are no shared bikes in the scenic area, so wear comfortable sneakers for walking. Be careful on the rocky beach near Huashi House to avoid slipping. Summer UV rays are strong by the sea, so bring sunscreen. For visiting multiple spots, a recommended full-day itinerary is: Badaguan (morning) → Qingdao Underwater World (noon) → Lu Xun Park + Qinyu Road (afternoon) → Xiaomai Island (sunset), a fully packed day.

🏨Accommodation Recommendations: For a high-end stay, Qingdao Badaguan Hotel is the top choice, once a state guesthouse for national leaders, with seven villas in different national styles and sea views from the windows. Prices range from 1500 to 3000 RMB/night in peak season; No. 12 Hangu Guan Road guesthouse is a century-old German villa with original fireplaces and stained glass, perfect for couples or families, about 800 RMB/night. For budget-conscious travelers, Orange Crystal Hotel (Taipingjiao branch) is a 5-minute walk to Badaguan, with modern design and smart toilets, off-season prices 400-600 RMB/night; Qingdao Meet Milan Guesthouse near Shaoguan Road offers Nordic loft style with kitchen and laundry, great for long stays, about 300 RMB/night.

Badaguan is not just a scenic spot but a lifestyle, a persistent pursuit of romance and beauty. Slow down, feel every brick, every plant here, and you’ll find life can be so poetic. Pack your bags and come to Badaguan to encounter your own romance!

Post by aelin_1526 | Aug 13, 2025