Qingdao Municipal Museum covers the city's history through antiquities, porcelain, calligraphy, and art. It is a useful stop if you want Qingdao to be more than beaches, beer, and German-era streets.
The museum sits east of the old German quarter, so it is best folded into a day exploring modern Qingdao rather than the historic centre. The collections are strongest for visitors interested in local history and Chinese decorative arts.