A Stroll Along Qingdao's Lovers' Dam

At the end of summer, I took a leisurely walk along Lovers' Dam at the Olympic Sailing Center in Qingdao during the evening twilight. The day's heat gradually faded, and the sea breeze, carrying a salty freshness, gently brushed against my face. Restaurants scattered along the dam lit up with warm yellow lights, and people at the outdoor seating raised their glasses and laughed together. In the distance, the masts of sailboats formed silhouettes against the setting sun. At the end of the dam, a pure white lighthouse stood quietly, like a sentinel guarding the harbor. I ordered a chilled Qingdao draft beer and watched as the sunset dyed the clouds orange and pink. Across the water, the neon lights of May Fourth Square began to illuminate one by one. Suddenly, the skyline was ignited by a light show, with skyscrapers transforming into giant screens, their dazzling colors reflected on the shimmering sea. As night deepened, lazy jazz music drifted from the bars. Taking a bite of the fresh and sweet spicy stir-fried clams, I thought to myself, Qingdao's romance must be hidden in this lively and graceful dam.