Qingdao is a picturesque coastal city that lies on the southern tip of China's Shandong Peninsula, located in JiaoZhou Bay facing the Yellow Sea. With seven beaches, a world-famous brewery, charming European architecture and the Olympic Sailing Center, the Shandong Province's city makes for a rewarding break.

Long described as the "Oriental Switzerland" due to its abundance of European architecture, Qingdao is now transforming itself into the Olympic sailing city.

It was interesting and a real adventure to be aboard a sailing boat at Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center in advance of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. As a member of the media team invited to report on the 2007 Shangri-La Sailing Competition, I was lucky enough to sail on a 32-foot (9.75-meter) Flying Tiger sail boat and view the whole race as it unfolded.