The eastern coastal city of Qingdao, Shandong province has launched a campaign to promote itself in several cities around the world.

Billboards featuring Qingdao brands, landmarks and scenic spots have been set up on highways near Incheon International Airport in South Korea and Dubai International Airport in the United Arab Emirates.

A poster displaying Qingdao's landmarks, scenic spots and renowned brands [Photo/dailyqd.com]

Qingdao promotional videos are advertised on billboards in Shinjuku, a major commercial and administrative center in Tokyo, Japan.

Three tour buses featuring promotion pictures and logos of Qingdao have been put into service in Europe.

According to Qingdao authorities, the campaign started on Dec 20, 2019 and will last for a period of one year, during which Qingdao's famous festivals, events, industrial parks, brands and tourism resources will be spotlighted.

An advertisement for Qingdao appears on a billboard near a highway on the way to Incheon International Airport. [Photo/dailyqd.com]

"I've seen the Qingdao billboard near Incheon International Airport at night. The billboard gives a clear picture of what the city is like and features some flashy LED lighting," said a senior advertising expert in South Korea, adding that Qingdao has always enjoyed popularity in South Korea.

"The Qingdao advertisement really outdid itself this time around, showing the city's urban scenery in a semi-realistic way. In addition to promoting tourism, it also shows the city's famous brands," said a staff member of JCDecaux Group in Dubai.

"Who would have thought that Haier is a Qingdao company!"

A Qingdao advertisement appears on billboards in Shinjuku, a major commercial and administrative center in Tokyo, Japan. [Photo/dailyqd.com]

Tokyo will host the 2020 Summer Olympic Games. As a result, Shinjuku, one of its busiest commercial areas, will see an uptick in international tourists, meaning the Qingdao ad will be seen by a lot of people, said an official from Qingdao municipal government.

The Qingdao tourism buses operate in major European tourist cities and scenic spots in nine countries including Germany, Italy, France, Switzerland and the Czech Republic.

A Qingdao tourism bus in Europe [Photo/dailyqd.com]