The 30-day Qingdao International Beer Festival ended on Aug 16 with the Zhongshan Road historic area logging a record 10.86 million visitors, up 12 percent year-on-year and averaging 360,000 daily.

During the Beer Festival, Qingdao's old city center – most parts of today's Shinan district – buzzes with excitement. [Photo/WeChat account: qdweishinan]

Returning to the old city center, organizers abandoned perimeter walls and threaded eight open-air "beer bars" along Zhongshan Road, Taiping Road and Vows Square. Visitors redeemed the digital "beer coin" to sample 360,000 liters poured by flagship vendors, while courtyards hosted pop-up markets and 700-plus performances.

A daily 2 pm "five centuries" parade re-enacted Qingdao's past across alley stages: costumed shopkeepers rang bells at Shuilong Pool Square, dancers twirled on a bottle-cap platform at Taiping Road, and singers crooned love songs at Vows Square. The Shangjieli area held an immersive theater which blurred the line between audience and performer.

From Aug 17, the Shinan district shifts to a permanent "beer-plus" model – bars and flash shows – turning a stroll through the century-old quarter into a daily ritual.

At the beer festival's Zhongshan Road branch, the blue sea feels within reach. [Photo/WeChat account: qdweishinan]