As northern tourist cities enter their off-season, Qingdao is ushering in a new winter tourism season. Every winter, over 100,000 seagulls flock to this coastal city along the Yellow Sea, drawing visitors from across China.

Zhanqiao Pier, a Qing Dynasty-era (1644-1911) structure that became a local attraction during the Minguo period (1912-49), has in recent years welcomed winter visitors eager to see the seagulls. More and more seagulls have gathered around the pier, initially drawing local residents who brought food like bread and buns. The increasing number of seagulls has attracted tourists from outside the city, creating a new winter spectacle.

The winter seagulls in Qingdao are mainly Siberian red-billed gulls. Through prolonged feeding, these seagulls have become accustomed to human activities. They gather around tourists, swirling around Zhanqiao Pier until the crowds disperse in the evening. In recent years, the number of seagulls has continued to grow, with some non-Siberian species, including German seagulls, joining in.

On Nov 6, Qingdao launched the "winter charms of mountains and seas, encounters with seagulls in Qingdao" winter cultural and tourism series, introducing 10 premium travel routes, 10 themed activities, 10 new consumption scenes, and 10 popular check-in spots. Shinan district has hosted the "seagull season" for two consecutive years, using the seagull theme to build a "seagulls + cultural tourism" ecosystem.

Zhanqiao Pier welcomes winter visitors eager to see the seagulls. [Photo/WeChat account: qdweishinan]

In recent years, the number of winter seagulls in Qingdao continues to grow. [Photo/WeChat account: qdweishinan]