Former German Imperial Post Office, Qingdao

Step into history at the Former German Imperial Post Office, a historic landmark located at the intersection of Anhui, Guangxi, and Juxian Roads in the Shinan District of Qingdao, Shandong, China. Built between 1900 and 1901 by F. H. Schmidt, this site originally served as the postal administration office for the Kiautschou Bay Leased Territory.

Recognized today as a Major historical and cultural site protected by Shandong Province, the building now houses the Qingdao Postal and Telecommunications Museum. Why visit? This site offers a fascinating look into Qingdao’s colonial-era communications infrastructure. Historically, the ground floor contained the main postal service hall, while the upper floors provided staff quarters and later housed a radio receiving station.

Over the decades, the facility handled ordinary and registered mail, telephone exchanges, telegraph communications, and even issued distinctive postal stamps depicting the imperial yacht SMY Hohenzollern. It endured major regional shifts, transitioning through German, Japanese, and Chinese administrations across two World Wars. Today, visitors can explore a preserved landmark that offers a compelling window into early twentieth-century trade, technology, and global postal history.

What to see at Former German Imperial Post Office, Qingdao

• Constructed between 1900 and 1901 by F. H. Schmidt
• Houses the present-day Qingdao Postal and Telecommunications Museum
• Protected as a Major historical and cultural site by Shandong Province
• Historically issued local stamps featuring the imperial yacht SMY Hohenzollern
• Served as a vital hub for regional telegraph, telephone, and mail services

Visiting tips

Head to the intersection of Anhui, Guangxi, and Juxian Roads in Shinan District to visit this protected provincial historical site.

How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Morning

How to get there & what’s nearby

Former German Imperial Post Office, Qingdao is easy to reach on Qingdao’s public transport, and pairs naturally with St. Michael's Cathedral, Qingdao and Christ Church. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Qingdao travel guide.