The huge red monument marks the history of a student uprising known as the May 4th Movement. Actions by students in Beijing and Shandong are often cited as the first major wave of nationalism during the Republican era and a major step towards formation of the Chinese Communist Party.
This area opens onto the beautiful Fushan Bay.
Qindao is an important port on the coast of Shandong Province, just across the China Sea from Korea. (Encarta map)
Qingdao’s natural harbour was a prime reason for Germany choosing this site as its “treaty port” during the days of European Imperialism. (Encarta map)
In February, 2008, I visited Qingdao and approached the May 4th Square on a rather cold, but sunny, afternoon.
The huge spiral sculpture, named the May Wind, dominates the square and stands directly in front of the new City Hall.
Much of this part of Qingdao is newly built up with a mix of office buildings and housing.
The park opens onto FuShan Bay.
Here we see the main business centre of Qingdao in the background… on the tip of the peninsula.
While now a site of gleaming steel and glass, Qingdao, in Chinese, means Green Island. It was later that I met the island that gave the city its name.
Qingdao is one of the major ports in China.
A tanker can be seen in the distance and a local tour boat is loading nearby.
Looking back towards May 4th Square.
In the centre of this picture, some historic housing can be seen.
These buildings date from the late 1800s, during the time when Qingdao experienced much construction by German trading people.
Today some of these buildings can be found in various locations in the city, now dwarfed by the new, tall buildings that dominate the skyline.
Close to the bay appears this old warehouse building now converted to a hotel and shops.
It now houses one of the more prestigious restaurants in the city.
Qingdao is known for its prime location on the sea as well as for its historic and contemporary architecture. Centred here is a creatively stylized pier.
Shaped like the prow of a ship and sporting a mast, the deck area is a popular spot for viewing the sea.
Yes, various ways to stay warm on a cold winter day.
Tent-like shelters. I’ve taken to capturing photos of them whenever I see them.
The security person appears to be here out of duty, not for pleasure.
I’m always pleasantly surprised by the commitment to beauty in Chinese public parks.
The tourist kiosks are experiencing brisk business.
The same kiosk shelters, but from behind.
There is no need to blow bubbles today. The wind is doing all the work, to the delight of the child.
A beautiful gal and a beautiful pine tree… with a kite flyer in the background.
Chinese love to take photos… and be part of the picture, too.
I asked these girls if I could shoot them.
Soon, more young ladies rushed to be part of the fun.
And a boyfriend was determined not to miss out on the fun either.
Bundled against the cold wind, a lone busker with his money pot is set up for business.
This two-stringed instrument is known as an erhu. It has been part of China’s culture for a 1000 years.
This man has thick glasses and may be partially blind.
As a child, I enjoyed flying kites. In China, it is the older, retired men who do this with a passion.
And some of the kites are very beautiful.
And when they come to the park, they seldom have just one kite to fly.
A kite flyer here has packed up his gear for the day and is passing the time with a friend. I did my best to chat with them.
The friend shows me his reason to be in the park today. He has been “walking” his birds… a common sight in Chinese parks.
Just on the edge of the May 4th Square, I was taken by the sign for the Qingdao International Golf Club.
As a Canadian, I was ready for this lovely winter day in Qingdao. At plus 2 Celsius, it was much warmer than back home in Saskatchewan.
