Qingdao is a coastal city in East China’s Shandong Province and a co-host city of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. “Qingdao,” which means “Green Island,” will host the Games’ 29th Sailing Regatta.

Relics of prehistoric human have been found in Qingdao, testifying to its long history of human civilization. People then lived on fishing and hunting. In 567 BC, during the Warring States Period, the city became an important port in North China. During the reign of China’s first emperor, Shihuang of the Qin Dynasty, 30,000 families moved to Qingdao. The city’s port trade and salt-making industries date from that time. It had been gradually regarded as China’s trade centre on the sea between North and South China.

During the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907), Taoism flourished in Qingdao, and its Mount Laoshan became an important centre of Taoism, where many Taoist relics remain.

Because of its rich resources and important role in sea trading, Qingdao was often attacked by neighbouring countries, especially since the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644). Because of this, Qingdao became an important naval port, and it remains so today.

Qingdao is also famous for its European-style architecture. There are about 1,000 western-style villas. Many are former residences of Chinese celebrities such as the reform pioneer Kang Youwei, novelist Lao She and writer-poet Wen Yiduo.

In addition, the city is home to numerous scientists engaged in sea research. Thanks to their efforts, Qingdao is now one of China’s biggest sea research bases with sea research centres under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ocean University of China and several aquariums and sea product museums. Ocean University of China is the nation’s largest university of its kind.