A sightseeing cruise sails across Jiaozhou Bay at sunset in Qingdao. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Qingdao's Round-the-Jiaozhou-Bay cruise route has been named among China's model waterway tourism passenger routes for 2025, highlighting the coastal city's growing appeal as a marine tourism destination.

The Ministry of Transport recently announced 19 selected cases nationwide, with the Qingdao route recognized in the urban sightseeing category. This follows the earlier selection of the Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center-Zhanqiao Pier round-trip route.

Launched in August 2024, the Round-the-Jiaozhou-Bay route has recorded more than 2.35 million passenger trips, with a single-day peak of about 20,000. Centered on Qingdao Ferry Terminal, the route offers views of Xiaogang Port, Zhonggang Port, Qingdao International Cruise Port and Dagang Port, giving visitors a fresh perspective on the city's waterfront, port heritage and coastal skyline.

The route has also moved beyond conventional sightseeing by introducing sunset cruises and seasonal seagull-watching experiences, helping turn the historic ferry terminal from a traditional transport hub into a popular cultural and tourism destination.

Qingdao's marine tourism network now features 23 routes and 37 products, extending from Jiaozhou Bay in the north to Zhaitang Island in the south.

As of Aug 16, the network had recorded more than three million passenger trips this year, up 5.39 percent year-on-year and marking a record high for the same period.