Spring has finally come to Qingdao after a long and cold winter.  The Cherry Blossoms are in full bloom, and many other plants are budding & blooming as well.  This past weekend ZhongShan Park hosted its grand re-opening ceremony with over 10,000 people in attendance each day.

This Cherry Blossom event marked a new admittance fee: FREE! This applies to both the park and the Zoo located north of the main entrance (6.50 CNY will get you into ALL the animal shows).  Many parks in Qingdao are now free thanks to the support and initiatives by both local and state governments.  Qingdao, also known as the "Green Island," is well on its way to hosting a truly Green 2008 Sailing Regatta!

On April 19th, 2008 Qingdao will hold "Local Mountain Climbing Activities for Citizens."  On this day 33 mountains & parks will be FREE!  So get out your hiking gear, call in sick if you have to work, and go enjoy the day!


FREE Mountains & Parks in Qingdao on April 19th, 2008:
1.  Shi Lao Ren Sight Seeing Park  ::  8:00AM-5:30PM
2.  Lao Shan (Hua Lou Scenic Spot)  ::  9:00AM-4:00PM
3.  Signal Hill Park  ::  8:00AM-4:00PM
4.  JuLin Park  ::  All Day
5.  Childrens Park  ::  All Day
6.  Hill Forts Park  ::  All Day
7.  Jia Ding Shan Park  ::  All Day
8.  Bei Ling Shan Park  ::  All Day
9.  Bai Guo Mountain  ::  All Day
10. Dai Jia Mountain  ::  All Day
11. Hu Mountain  ::  All Day
12. Lou Mountain  ::  All Day
13. Yan Tun Mountain  ::  All Day
14. San Biao Mountain  ::  All Day
15. Xiao Zhu Mountain Scenic Spot  ::  8AM-12:00 Noon
16. Yan Gu Tun Mountain  ::  All Day
17. He Mountain Scenic Spot  ::  8:30Am-11:30AM
18. Ma Mountain Forest Scenic Spot  ::  All Day
19. Ai Mountain Scenic Spot  ::  All Day
20. Yin Zhu Bo Scenic Spot  ::  All Day
21. Jiu Shang Gou Scenic Spot  ::  All Day
22. Shui Niu Mountain  ::  All Day
23. Lang Yang Tai Scenic Spot  ::  13:00PM-4:30PM
24. Da Qing Mountain Forest Park  ::  9AM-2:00PM
25. Yue Hu Park  ::  All Day
26. Mai Hua Shan Park  ::  All Day
27. Tea Mountain  ::  7AM-5:00PM
28. Long Nv Shan zhuang  ::  All Day
29. Da Ze Shan Scenic Spot  ::  All Day
30. Tian Zhu Mountain  ::  All Day
31. Liang Mu Mountain  ::  All Day
32. Bao Zhu Jian  ::  All Day
33. Gu Mountain  ::  All Day