Qingdao has been making beer since 1903. That beer, Tsingtao, is China's most exported lager. What most people don't know is what it's like to drink it at the source: under £1 a bottle, surrounded by the coastal city that built it. Beijing Capital Airlines flies non-stop from Gatwick, and return tickets start at £473. No stop in Dubai or Doha. You're just there.
✈️ The deal
- From: London Gatwick
- To: Qingdao, China
- Airline: Beijing Capital Airlines
- Stops: Non-stop
- Price: £473–£499 return
- When: September–October 2026
Example dates:
09/09/2026 – 30/09/2026
16/09/2026 – 30/09/2026
23/09/2026 – 30/09/2026
23/09/2026 – 07/10/2026
💰 How far does your money go?
This is seafood country. A full dinner of fresh crab, prawns, and sea cucumber costs around £13. A plate of dumplings off the street is £2. A Tsingtao at a local restaurant costs under £1. Your daily budget including accommodation will likely land around £55. In London, that doesn't even cover dinner and a couple of rounds.
☀️ The weather
September in Qingdao averages 24–26°C with up to 10 hours of sunshine a day. By October, temperatures settle at a comfortable 20°C and the rain drops off significantly. The beaches are quieter, the light is better, and the summer crowds are long gone. It is the best time to visit.
🏨 Where to stay
From budget guesthouses to five-star sea views.
Dengba Inn Qingdao · 8.2/10 · From £18/night
A well-reviewed hostel-style guesthouse in Taidong. Central, social, and easy on the wallet.
Atour Hotel Qingdao May Fourth Square · 8.6/10 · From £42/night
A polished mid-range choice near the waterfront and May Fourth Square. Clean, modern, very good value.
Shangri-La Qingdao · 9.0/10 · From £60/night
Landmark luxury in the city centre, 10 minutes' walk to the bay. Four restaurants, spa, and fitness centre. This is what £60 a night gets you in China.
🎯 What to do
Qingdao is a city of contradictions: German colonial architecture, Taoist mountains, and the world's most famous cheap beer.
Zhanqiao Pier. Walk the 1891 pier out into Qingdao Bay to the octagonal pavilion at the tip. The one on the Tsingtao beer logo. Best at sunrise.
Tsingtao Beer Museum. Over 100 years of brewing history, a walk through both pavilions, and a proper tasting at the end. Entry is around £9.
Badaguan Scenic Area. Ten streets lined with over 200 villas built in the architectural styles of 20 different countries. More museum than neighbourhood, but worth every minute.
Laoshan Mountain. A sacred Taoist mountain that drops straight into the sea, about an hour from the city. Tea plantations, cliff walks, and ancient temples. Unlike anything in Europe.
🗺️ Where to go from here
Qingdao sits in Shandong province and makes a strong base for exploring eastern China.
Beijing. 2.5 hours by high-speed train. Forbidden City, Great Wall, hutongs. The classic first stop in China.
Mount Tai. Around 2 hours by train. One of China's five sacred mountains and a UNESCO World Heritage site. People still climb it at night to catch the sunrise.
Qufu. Around 2 hours by train. Confucius was born here in 551 BC. His ancestral temple and mansion are both on the UNESCO list.
Xi'an. 5–6 hours by high-speed train. The terracotta warriors. If you have time, make the detour.
£473 non-stop. September light, beach city, and beer that costs less than a Mars bar. Book it before the dates go.
Get every flight deal we find, on your favourite app.
Pick how you want to hear from us — or all three. Free, no spam.
