Lighthouses are regarded as direction indicators in Qingdao, a city famous for its lighthouses on Tuandao Island and Xiaoqing Island.

However, Qingdao citizens are not allowed to climb lighthouse towers and enjoy the gorgeous view of this coastal city, since some of the buildings are protected by the municipal government and are not open to the public.

One reporter was permitted to climb the lighthouses at Tuandao and Xiaqing islands guided by staff members at the Qingdao navigation mark office of the Tianjin Maritime Safety Administration.

Photographs taken from the lighthouse show red roofs and European-style architecture against the background of a crystal-blue sky clouds. Qingdao won the title of “most livable city in China” for a good reason.

By Audrey and Chen Zhilin