Qingdao is famous in Shandong for its variety of commercial products, from the well renowned Laoshan mineral water to its shell carvings. The main shopping and commercial street runs along Zhongshan Lu, although most of the shops here are either clothing or food orientated. If it is your wardrobe that you are after then this road, along with the Longshan Underground Market (Longshan dixia shangye jie) below Xinhaoshan park (Xinhaoshan gongyuan), are your best bet.

For an introduction into the shell carving of Qingdao, beyond sifting through the rather tacky versions around the pier area, you can arrange a tour through CITS (in the Huiquan Hotel on Nanhai Road) to the local factory. CITS can also arrange tours to the local Brewery and the Locomotion Engine Factory.

Qingdao is also famed for its tea, the Taoist Laoshan variety, that is presumed to flourish on the natural spring waters of that holy mountain. This tea can be brought all over Qingdao, as can the Laoshan beer and Laoshan mineral water.

Near to the Shangri-La Hotel, on Zhanshan dalu, is the local Carre-four Supermarket