Qingdao is one of the important "coastal open economy" cities in Shandong, and enjoys economic administrative power equivalent to that of a provincial government. Under the jurisdiction of the municipal government are 7 urban districts, namely Shinan, Shibei, Sifang, Licang, Huangdao, Laoshan and Chengyang, and 5 county-level cities, namely Jiaozhou, Jimo, Pingdu, Jiaonan and Laixi. The total area is 10,654 sq km with 6.79 million population. The urban area accounted for 1, 305 sq km of 2.15 million population.

Qingdao is the 4th largest seaport in China. It consists of Dagang Port, Zhonggang Port, Beigang Port, Huangdao Oil Dock and Qianwan Harbour. Qianwan Harbour has 47 commercial berths, of which 24 has a capacity over 10,000 tons. The annual passage handling capacity is 73 million tons. Qingdao operates 7 international cargo shipping lines to Hong Kong, Japan, USA, Europe, Seoul, etc.

Qingdao is connected by the Jiaoji Railway. Major roads are of 2nd grade bitumen roads. Qingdao is also connected by highways to various other cities such as Shijiazhuang, Yantai, Lianyungang, Jinan, etc.