#124 Teaching at Taizhou Teachers College, China (Qingdao, China's German City)

Asia » China » Shandong » Qingdao
May 23rd 2010

Published: May 22nd 2010

Qingdao is a smaller seaside city of 2 Million inhabitants on the N.E. sea-coast of Shandong Province, China. At the end of the 19th Century, an ambitious Germany was looking for a place in China to continue its colonial expansion. That moment arrived, when the Chinese Boxer Rebels killed two German Catholic priests in 1897. German troops were sent in to establish their presence in Qingdao, and ... Read Full Entry

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Hans J. Schneider

Hans

After 38 years as a Foreign Language Teacher and Foreign Language Dept. Chair at Coral Gables Sr. H.S., and A.J. Professor of German at the University of Miami, I have left Florida in June of 2006, where my home is in Miami Beach, Florida, USA. I have just signed another year's teaching-contract (my 8th year now) with Taizhou University in the city of Taizhou, located about 3hrs north of Shanghai, in Jiangsu Province, CHINA. I thought it would be informative for others and rewarding for me personally, to log the progress of my efforts from beginning to end, as a Travel and Photo Jo... full info

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"May Wind"

"May Wind" is the name of this sculpture and is visible along the extensive promenade of Qingdao's coastline.

Looking toward the May 4th Square, and a modern Qingdao in the background.

On the banks of Qingdao Bay lies May Fourth Square. The area is a new sightseeing area, developed in recent years. The unusual, red sculpture is called, "May Wind", and has become the symbol of Qingdao.

Olympic Sculpture at the Entrance of the Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center

The threads reminded me of the "Birds Nest" National Stadium in Beijing.

The "Olympic Torch Pier"

A wonderful way to enjoy the surrounding "Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center" is to walk along the pier, lined on both sides by flags of participating countries in the 2008 Olympics. The "Olympic Torch" stands at the end of the pier, flame extinguished.

"Only the Flame is missing."

I did see the running of the Olympic Flame in my city of Taizhou. It ended here, and lit the huge torch in the Sailing Center of Qingdong.

The 2008 Olympic Torch in Qingdao, Shandong, PRC

"Compare the torch to the size of the visitors below, please."

Hugging Ludwig

Along the seashore promenade sits a park know as the "Music Square". Sculptures of composers and musical icons are part of the park's magic.

The Composer of China's National Anthem

His statue stands along the Sea-side Promenade in "The Music Square".

I quickly learned, that it would be a fun spring-visit to Qingdao.

Colorful characters, representing the mythological stories of China, pose with me along the Costal Promenade of Qingdao.

QINGDAO-PHOTO-JOURNEY and PHOTO CLOSE-UPS

The mascot of the Shanghai Expo-2010 stands on the docks of the Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center and had remindet the Olympic visitors of the next great event in Shanghai, China. It is now in progress, and you can see my photos of my visit to Shanghai Expo-2010 in my previous TravelBlog, #123.

THE QINGDAO PHOTO-JOURNEY BEGINS.

I hope you will enjoy the following sets of photos. They should give you a greater appreciation for this quickly growing city of Qingdao, which in English means the " The Green Island".

ARRIVAL AT THE QINGDAO TRAIN-STATION

MY TRAIN ON THE PLATFORM

I WISH I HAD TAKEN THIS HIGH-SPEED TRAIN, BUT NOT YET AVAILABLE FROM TAIZHOU TO QINGDAO.

THE LOBBY OF MY HOTEL

VIEW FROM MY HOTEL ROOM #1

VIEW FROM MY HOTEL ROOM #2

VIEW FROM MY HOTEL ROOM #3

VIEW FROM MY HOTEL ROOM #4

WALK ALONG THE WATER-FRONT PROMENADE, #1

WALK ALONG THE WATER-FRONT PROMENADE, #2

22nd May 2010

Fiona
non-member comment

an amazing city
Hi, Hans, I was your student last year when you teached at Nanjing Normal University Taizhou College. I went to Qingdao last summer. But I went there by bus. It took me 7 hours. It's an amazing city which is impressed me so deeply. I'm so familiar with these photoes. Actually, I also went to Penglai and Yantai. They are two cities which are very close to Qingdao. Did you go these two places this time? They are also very beautiful. Btw, you look younger than before. Have a good day.

22nd May 2010

Mike
non-member comment

do you still remember me?hehe
nice photoes of you and that city

22nd May 2010

Pedro
non-member comment

It's almost like history text book.
Thanks for good information & nice photo. I live in Seoul, Korea & like travel so I always serching for vacation destination. but even though Qingdao is near from Korea, Qingdao is always skipped from my travel list because the travel guide book provide not sufficient information like you & many Korean working there informed me there's nothing much. I decided to go to Qingdao next holiday. If you travel all around China, how about visit Korea?? There's over-night ferry from Qingdao to Incheon, seaport of Seoul. You told me Qingdao was occupied by German before but now it's occupied by Korean company. There are too many Korean & Korean company due to cheap labor cost.

22nd May 2010

Mississippi
Alex Don

when did u come?Hans ,I am in qingdao,next time you pay a visit ,do call me.i will show u the city in detail.

22nd May 2010

jay
non-member comment

man~ u really good at writing
hey,i have to say nice job~ so suprised u know so much stuff about China and glad u travel a lot like me. lol, i just came back TaiZhou yesterday~i am gonna travel korea at june 10th, do u want hangout do somethin? busy man....

22nd May 2010

Tsingtao Beer on a Table at Bayside, Miami, USA

jay
non-member comment

omg
omg~~~ i love TsingTao~ they r hot in US big city.always sold out in NYC's restaurants. lol, party time,lets go and get beers.....

23rd May 2010

anonymous
non-member comment

beautiful

23rd May 2010

Fritz Zschietzschmann
non-member comment

German city in China
Hans, Nancy and I always love to get your reports. We learn so much about China from these Travel Blogs. Keep it up. Stefanie is still in S. Korea. - Fritz Z.

24th May 2010

Sue
non-member comment

Brings back memories
Yet another great blog, Hans! Looks like you had much better weather for your visit than I did a couple of years ago. I too enjoyed the city of Qingdao. One picture that sticks in my brain is that of locals arriving at the little dumpling cafe near where I was staying with plastic bags (normal bags as are given out at supermarkets) and filling them with beer. I was fascinated that there was no spillage or leakage!! Still luke warm beer out of a plastic bag doesn't really send my lips smacking! What about you? Sue

24th May 2010

M
non-member comment

great picture great city

30th May 2010

Will
non-member comment

nice photo
nice photo, thanks for sharing them. hehe

31st May 2010

Tracy
non-member comment

nice photos
Hi, hans, you made a wise decision, it is a good time to visit Qingdao, enjoying the beautiful scenery and the cool Tsingtao Beer, wish you continued happiness in China!

22nd August 2010

anonymous
non-member comment

The photo of that old traditional rail station does bring up a bit of nostalgic melancholy. It's such a commom sight in Germany, as if it's been standing in lonelyness over the centry somewhere in a quite suburb of a town, could be Cottbus, or Siegen wherever, loyally greeting its few passengers every day; Whereas in Qingdao, this ever crowded station has witnessed many historical events, which might be forgotten, but never erased. Our modern life is a madly spinning roller coaster, so was it of the old time. Luckily, these unique landmarks have survived and are well-preserved. A great legacy for the generations to come! A very pleasant piece to read and enjoy.

23rd October 2010

王碧赵
non-member comment

your hometown is very beautiful

21st February 2011