The Qingdao Botanical Garden, one of the most appealing attractions of the area, was established in 1976. It is located on Taiping Mountain’s south slope and occupies a land area of 247 acres. Other attractions in the vicinity include to the east, the Zhanshan Temple and to the west, the Qingdao Zoo and the scenic Zhongshan Park.
The Qingdao Botanical Garden features more than 1,000 plant species, many of them rare and endangered, from both China and abroad. Seen from the Taiping Mountain cableway the garden provides a delightful idyllic view. The west slope functions as the production focus of the garden, while the south slope is filled with pretty cedar trees. In springtime, the garden looks breathtaking with its multitude of picturesque blooms. The principal sections of the garden are a fine woods garden, an amusement park and some pavilions and smaller gardens.
At the centre of the fine woods garden a small square may be seen, in the centre of which can be seen a fountain constructed on a three tiered marble platform. The fountain is said to represent the success and beauty of the garden. On the square’s north-western side, there are potted plants of various kinds, including numerous bonsai creations. The varieties of plant life, about 90 in number, located here include ginkgos, camellia, magnolias, Japanese five needle pines as well as species from the Americas. Visitors are able to explore all parts of the park by wandering along the twisting pathway which runs through the park.
For the information of the visitor, the family name, scientific name and distribution of each exhibit are clearly labelled, enabling the inquisitive visitor to gain an understanding of the principal details of the plant.
Meanwhile the Sino-Japanese Friendship Garden creates a lovely spectacle in spring with its numerous azalea and cherry trees. The small buildings such as the French Villa are popular with visitors with their quaint appeal and charm.
An extensive amusement park is also found in the park environs, located in the surroundings of a magnificent forest park bordering urban Qingdao. Many exercise options and activities are available here in the midst of woods, valleys and lakes. Walking and hiking will enable you to admire the beauty of the environs first-hand and for the more active visitor such diversions as forest bathing, rope walking, bungee jumping, rock climbing and yachting are available. Additionally such sports as car racing and bullfighting are conducted here.
For the astute visitor searching for a Qingdao hotel the Copthorne Hotel Qingdao will prove ideal with its array of modern facilities and comfortable rooms, this Qingdao Accommodation never fails to meet the demands of its guests.
