Qingdao struts its stuff as a hub full of fashion

From city landmarks, original music and stylish bars to creative cultural products, a wide range of exhibitions portraying a fashionable image of Qingdao, Shandong province, were unveiled at an event held recently.

During the second China International Cultural Tourism Fair held from Sept 16 to 20 in Jinan, capital of Shandong province, Qingdao displayed its achievements in culture and tourism at its comprehensive exhibition area through the forms of the multimedia database, immersive experiences and interactive scenes.

A band, composed of musicians from a Qingdao-based media company, performed original songs at the music booth.

A song, called Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter in Qingdao, was composed for this year's fair, said Li Jun, a staff member at the music exhibition area.

"The song is about tourist attractions such as Badaguan (Eight Great Passes), Laoshan Mountain, Wusi Square and Zhanqiao Bridge, delivering Qingdao's beauty to visitors," Li said.

"It also introduces a fashionable and friendly Qingdao," he added.

It is hoped to demonstrate Qingdao's potential in integrating music and tourism through songs about the city, Li said.

Along with the music, the exhibition area themed around encountering four seasons in Qingdao displayed a range of the city's famous scenic spots.

For example, the city showed the replica of the famous tourist attraction of Daxue Road, with its red-tile-roofed houses.

"I have heard about this famous site in Qingdao, so I take the opportunity to take some pictures," said a visitor surnamed Wang.

Other highlights during the fair were a bazaar of cultural and creative products and stylish bars.

A wide range of creations such as handmade leatherware, filigree inlay art and Italian ice cream from cultural and creative companies in Qingdao were showcased.

Milasuo workshop displayed cultural and creative products featuring paintings made by cloisonne technique.

Based on the handicraft, the workshop has developed mobile phone cases, tea sets and ornaments.

Sobook, a privately run bookstore in Qingdao, also displayed the distinctive culture of the city during the fair.

"Taking the bookstore as a medium, Sobook connects sectors including culture, education, fashion and performing arts, representing a positive attitude toward the integration of fashion and cultural tourism," said Li Feng, manager of the strategic planning department at Sobook.

In addition, stylish bars were set up at the center of the comprehensive exhibition. They offered coffee, beer and ice cream and highlighted Qingdao's nightlife.

In recent years, Qingdao has developed a nighttime economy featuring culture and tourism.

In 2020, the city was listed as one of the top 10 influential cities in nighttime economy in China. It was made an innovative city and a model case of practicing the nighttime economy, according to a report released by the Liaowang Institute of Xinhua News Agency and internet company Tencent.

As a coastal city, Qingdao demonstrated its ocean resources and marine tourism during the fair.

At its marine research exhibition area, the city displayed a model of Shandong, China's first independently developed aircraft carrier.

This year's fair attracted the participation of 16 cities and 26 districts and counties in Shandong province. Cultural and tourism institutes from 17 countries including Russia and New Zealand also attended the event, according to the organizers.