Once a German colony, the city has many western style old buildings left - such as this Christian church

The German Christian Church

The old town district is miraculously kept intact despite wars and social upheavals

A Catholic Cathedral -- closed for renovation during our visit, damn!

A park dedicated to Lu Xun -- father of Chinese modern literature

The Chinese side of Qingdao -- inside Lu Xun park

Sakura at Zhongshan Park

Qingdao was under Japanese rule for decades after Japan took it over from Germany after the WWI. Sakura is one of the Japanese legacies.

Everyone loves the cherry blossom in full bloom

Each April, Qingdao will hold a Sakura festival in Zhongshan Park.