People drink beers during the 23rd Qingdao International Beer Festival in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, Aug. 25, 2013. The 16-day 23rd Qingdao International Beer Festival closed on Sunday, in which more than 300 kinds of beers attracted about 4 million people from home and abroad.

A festival in honor of the nectar of the gods, beer -- how great is that? Every summer, starting the second weekend of August, Qingdao (青岛) hosts the largest beer festival in Asia with international breweries from all over the globe flocking to the sandy shores of China's Shandong Province. If you are a serious drinker or a casual weekend enthusiast, you'll see the best of China's beer drinking culture at this event. If karaoke is your thing, you can test your singing skills in front of huge crowds, and even buy a CD recording of your song if you so desire.
The event lasts for two weeks and begins with a grand opening ceremony, followed by beer tasting, evening entertainment, drinking competitions, and concluded with a themed final ceremony. Besides beer there's tons of food, both Chinese and Western, to gorge on when you get the munchies. And don’t forget beautiful Shilaoren beach is just a 10 minute walk away!