Irkutsk and the Chinese port city of Qingdao signed a cooperation agreement under a tourism information exchange project. The partnership should help both cities attract more tourists.

Within the framework of the information exchange project in the field of tourism, Irkutsk and the Chinese port city of Qingdao have signed a cooperation agreement. The port city of Qingdao is located in the east of Shandong Province, on the shore of the Yellow Sea near the southern coast of the Jiaodong Peninsula. Thanks to its rich history and culture, Qingdao is the main economic center of the eastern part of China and a center of attraction for international tourism.
The port is surrounded by sea and mountains and has a mild climate, with an average annual temperature of +12.4 °C. Summers are humid and often rainy, with an average August temperature of 25.3 °C; winters are windy but not very cold, with an average January temperature of 0.9 °C. Qingdao has diverse natural resources. There are more than 30 types of mineral resources here, including graphite, fluorite, zeolite, heavy spar, and gold, as well as 1,400 types of agricultural and livestock products, including Laoshan dairy goats, Licang black pigs, honey peaches, and Dazeshan grapes. This contributes to travelers’ interest in it. The city covers an area of 11,282 km², with a population of about 8.7 million people.
"Irkutsk is a member of this organization and takes part in many of its events," says Irina Urbanovich, head of the tourism department of the Irkutsk city administration. "Our city was chosen by the Chinese partners for information exchange in the field of tourism. As a result of signing the agreement under this project, both cities will receive an additional influx of tourists."
Qingdao is a unique combination of history and distinctive architecture. The fanciful fusion of Eastern and Western culture, the blending of traditional European Art Nouveau style and Eastern elements in architecture give it a special flavor and make it one of the most attractive beach destinations in China. This picturesque port city has an extensive coastline stretching more than 730 km, surrounded by more than 50 bays and 69 of the most beautiful islands. In 2007, the city was recognized as having one of the most beautiful seacoasts in the world. At a distance of 40 km from it rises Mount Laoshan, considered sacred among followers of Taoism and recognized as the highest peak of China’s coastal mountains. During the summer period, the International Beer Festival is traditionally held here in August; Qingdao also hosts the "Sand Festival," the "Ocean Festival," the "Cherry Blossom Festival," and many others.
During the Beijing Olympics, Qingdao became a kind of venue for sailing competitions. The Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center is still considered one of the city’s most attractive landmarks.
Thanks to the amazing natural combination of sea and mountains and its unique tourist resources, the city offers visitors many different kinds of recreation: various cruises, festival, seaside, sports, and cultural tourism. And the traditional red roofs of Qingdao’s houses against the backdrop of green trees, the boundless sea, and the blue sky will leave no one indifferent.
Based on materials from the Irkutsk city administration press service.