In February 2026, on the second anniversary of its designation as a National 5A Tourist Attraction, the Qingdao Olympic Sailing and Marine Culture Tourist Areas had a stellar performance in cultural tourism.

During the Spring Festival holiday, there was a 15.41 percent year-on-year increase in visitors, with an influx of younger tourists drawn to its traditional-modern aesthetics.

The Qingdao Tourism Group achieved this by organizing a variety of interconnected cultural experiences. At the Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center, 14 large themed lanterns created a dreamlike "sea-in-light" show, establishing a new hotspot for social media check-ins.

Meanwhile, the Qingdao Underwater World extended festivities under the sea with special underwater performances, intangible cultural heritage performances, and marine life exhibitions for a multi-dimensional experience.

To counter the typical winter slowdown in coastal tourism, the group capitalized on Qingdao's unique maritime resources to transcend seasonal barriers. Through a "marine +" strategy, it transformed the sea into a core engine for winter consumption.

Special holiday cruise routes were introduced, allowing guests to follow seagulls and enjoy views of the historic Qingdao coastline during the day. These trips featured themes like Diamond Sea and Orange Sunset.

At night, the Maritime Light Show cruises provided a romantic atmosphere complemented by traditional Chinese drum performances. This approach not only provided guests with a sense of festive rituals but also solidified the area as an enduring gateway to the city's maritime charm.

Tourists take to the sea on a daytime route by Qingdao Tourism Group, cruising alongside soaring seagulls. [Photo/Guanhai News]