Qingdao beer fest brimming with events

Editor's note: Every summer, visitors flock to Qingdao to indulge themselves at the seaside Laoshan Mountain or sailing on the ocean's whitecaps.

The city also offers a variety of festivals in addition to its beautiful scenery and often cool temperatures.

Along with the renowned Qingdao International Beer Festival, the city will also host an international sailing week and the Inter City Music Festival in August - welcoming visitors with a passion for sports, art, music and beer.

Biggest in Asia, the 16-day carnival is set to begin.

An ideal escape from the sweltering summer heat often includes a glass of beer, and Qingdao never fails to complete the experience due to its renowned century-old brewery and the grand festival that carries its name.

Along with the fresh sea breeze, the aroma of beer in the air is a heady experience for everyone during the citywide Qingdao International Beer Festival revelry even if they don't drink.

Now in its 22nd year, the beer festival will begin in the second weekend of August at Beer City in Century Square of Laoshan district.

A grand opening ceremony will kick off 16 days of carnival-like festivities on Aug 11.

"After 21 years of experience, the festival is Asia's largest and has evolved into an impressive city signature event combining tourism, culture, trade, sports and a carnival," said Wei Shengji, general director of the news office for the Qingdao municipal government.

"Ganbei - or cheers - with the world is the eternal theme of the event. This slogan displays Qingdao's open and inclusive culture, and its citizens' passion and hospitality," he added.

According to the organizing committee, an estimated 4 million visitors will consume 1,200 tons of beer this year, consolidating the festival's status as the largest of its kind in Asia and the top tourism event in China.

The main venue has been relocated to Century Square, less than 2 kilometers north of the old Beer City, which is undergoing renovation and will resume its host function in 2015.

A grand opening ceremony, beer tasting, a carnival, performances, artistic parade, drinking competition, trade events and the closing ceremony will all take place in the square.

Xia Zhengqi, commander in chief of the 22nd Qingdao International Beer Festival, said that 300 kinds of beer including 25 world-class brands from 16 countries will be provided for visitors throughout 12 grand tents this year, breaking records in a range of categories compared with previous festivals.

"We have designed the 'Munich Style Drinking Area' to enhance the festival's international participation," he said.

A "Crystalline Munich Palace" will even be built at city's International Convention and Exhibition Center to demonstrate the authentic Bavarian culture and lifestyle.

With a wealth of beer brands from across the globe, the festival is brimming with diverse cultures, artistic performances and sports.

"The festival is an occasion to transcend, transmit and mix different cultures and civilizations, which in turn form the unique character of the festival," said Wei. "And Qingdao people, immersed in its intrinsic Confucius culture, also embrace and renew themselves through this cultural diversity."

Xu Baofeng, deputy director of the Qingdao exhibition industry development office, said that in addition to the boisterous scene at Laoshan district, the other eight districts and county-level cities will also organize beer-themed events to meet robust demands from visitors and locals to be involved in the bash.

Along Dengzhou Road, the 1,000-meter-long Tsingtao Beer Street is dubbed an everlasting beer festival that welcomes some 10,000 visitors daily and 3 million visits during the three summer months alone. Its amenities include a wide range of bars, restaurants, museums and leisure facilities.

On July 20, Sifang Beer Street was officially opened to the public just across the river from the Tsingdao No 2 Brewery. Its location guarantees the freshest original beer.

On July 21, the third Qingdao West Coast (Golden Beach) Beer Carnival was as a prelude to the Qingdao International Beer Festival with over 10 world-renowned brands on offer including big names like Trappist, Valentine and Adler.