South Korean visitors enjoy local beer during a weekend trip in Shinan district, Qingdao. [Photo/WeChat account: Shinanly]

Weekend trips to Qingdao are becoming increasingly popular among South Korean travelers, who make up the city's largest inbound tourism market. The city's accessibility via convenient flights and its coastal appeal draws many visitors.

For many South Koreans, a quick getaway involves flying to Qingdao after work on Friday and returning home by Sunday. The flight takes about an hour and a half and has gained traction on South Korean social media.

In Shinan district, international visitors are now a common sight, from the Zhongshan Road Historic Area to the Olympic Sailing Center waterfront.

"I had heard Qingdao was beautiful, but seeing it in person is even more impressive," said a tourist from South Korea while tasting local beer at Zhongshan Road No 1 Legend Club. "The red roofs, green trees, and sea breeze feel very different from home."

South Korean visitors pose for a photo during a trip in Shinan district, Qingdao. [Photo/WeChat account: Shinanly]

To cater to the demand for short leisure trips, Shinan has launched six themed routes tailored for South Korean tourists. They cover historic neighborhoods such as Zhongshan Road, Daxue Road, and Badaguan, along with coastal landmarks like Zhanqiao Pier and the Olympic Sailing Center. The routes also offer experiences in beer, seafood, cycling, hiking, and wellness.

Pet-friendly routes supported by local hotels have also been introduced. Local businesses are enhancing services with multilingual menus and training staff members to assist in English and Korean.

Shinan plans to continue developing customized tourism products to support Qingdao's growth as an international coastal destination.