Constructed especially for the 29th Olympiad the Qingdao’s Olympic Sailing Center is a monolithic structure of truly global appeal as the venue hosted the coveted 2008 Summer Olympics as well as the Paralympic Sailing competitions in the same year. Built on what was formerly the Beihai Shipyard, this monumental sporting venue occupies a breathtaking location on Shandong’s Fushan Bay. Spread out over 450,000 square meters, the massive enclave encompasses the harbor area, land and off-shore region of Qingdao which is also affectionately referred to as the Eastern Switzerland of China. The land section includes an athletes’ center, logistic and functional center, administration and competition management center and a press center while the port and offshore sections are devoted to the creation of an embankment, a shore wall, main and secondary breakwater and a quay featuring an Olympic Memorial Wall. Divided in to seven sections, the Accreditation Center, Qingdao Sub-Village, Venue Media Center, Athletes Center and Logistics Center form the core of the mega sailing facility with the Administrative Center and Reception Center also serving key roles.

The sailing center’s competition area is sprawled across 30 hectares while the remaining 15 hectares have been set aside for development after the conclusion of the Olympics. With an ideal location opposite the Yellow Sea, the major breakwater contains several windmills, a seating area for the audience and flag posts with flags fluttering in the wind. A light house is also available in the viewing region as a lookout point for when spectator ferries are unavailable. The iconic May 4th monument as well as Qingdao’s landmark seaside structure is also visible from the vantage point of this region, which also hosted the “Good Luck Beijing – 2006 event and the IFDS Qingdao International Regatta in 2008. Another highlight at the Olympic Sailing Center is its nightly laser light show which takes place at the main breakwater lighthouse from the evening hours to twelve midnight. With wind conditions changing rapidly from light breezes to +15knots gusts of winds, the venue is also known to have severe fog conditions on occasion.

Those in search of a Qingdao hotel in the centre of the city’s CBD will find no finer alternative to the Copthorne Hotel Qingdao. Offering 455 exquisite suites and guestrooms this stylish rest with several restaurants and a host of corporate facilities, is one hotel Qingdao, recommended by both its business and leisure holidaymakers.