Qingdao is the Miami of China

 
Skyscrapers in Miami

Miami is a major city in Florida, with a metro area of 5.5 million.  "For more than two decades, the Port of Miami, known as the 'Cruise Capital of the World,' has been the number one cruise passenger port in the world, accommodating some of the world's largest cruise ships and operations, and is currently the busiest in both passenger traffic and cruise lines."  Neighboring Ft. Lauderdale also has a major port, from which it is possible to take a ferry to Bahamas.   The Florida Institute of Technology in nearby Melbourne has one of the best maritime colleges in the US. Miami is known for its many beaches.


Skyscrapers in Qingdao

Qingdao (青岛) in Shandong (山东) Province has a population of  3.7 million in its urban area. "The world's longest sea bridge, the Qingdao Haiwan Bridge, links the main urban area of Qingdao with Huangdao district, straddling the Jiaozhou Bay sea areas. In 2009 and 2011, Qingdao was named China's most livable city. ...The Orient Ferry connects Qingdao with Shimonoseki, Japan. There are two ferry lines connecting Qingdao with South Korea. The New Golden Bridge II operates between Qingdao and Incheon, and the Blue Sea Ferry operates between Qingdao and Gunsan. Qingdao hosts one of China's largest seaports."  Along with Beijing's hosting of the 2008 Summer Olympics, Qingdao was the host city for the Olympic Sailing competitions which took place along the shoreline by the city. These events were hosted at the Qingdao International Sailing Centre. Qingdao was a German concession until 1922, and it retains some traditional foreign architecture.  "Qingdao is one of the few cities in northern China where surfing is possible." The Ocean University of China is located there.


Former site of the headquarters of the German Administration