Objective To describe the epidemiological characteristics of human rabies in Qingdao, China from 2008 to 2012. Methods The epidemic data of human rabies cases from 2008 to 2012 were collected and analyzed, and brain samples were taken from suspected rabid dogs. Rabies virus was identified with both direct fluorescent antibody assay and RT-PCR. All data were subject to descriptive analysis. Results From 2008 to 2012, a total of 29 human rabies cases were reported in city of Qingdao, which were distributed in 7 districts or county-level cities. The incidence continuously increased from 2008 to 2011, and the highest was 0.15/100 000. Rural cases accounted for 96.55% of all cases. The incidence in city of Pingdu was 0.29/100 000, the highest among all districts and county-level cities. The number of cases during July and December was 3.14 times as that during January and June, the peak occurred in November. The male-to-female ratio was 2.22:1. The ages of the cases ranged from 27 to 79 years and 72.41% were aged 30-59 years. Farmers constituted 93.10% of all cases. Categories Ⅱ and Ⅲ rabies exposure accounted for 24.14% and 75.86%, respectively. Of all cases, wounds in 86.21% were untreated, 93.10% were not immunized with rabies vaccine, and 100% were not injected passive immunization against rabies. The incubation period was 14-413 d (median, 80.5 d). Sixteen cases were bitten by domestic dogs, 12 cases were bitten by stray dogs, and 1 was exposed when slaughtering dogs. Of 5 brain samples from suspected rabid dogs, 3 were positive for rabies virus. Conclusion From 2008 to 2012, the epidemic area of rabies expanded in Qingdao, the number of human rabies cases increased noticeably, and most of them were farmers. Lack of preventive care after exposure was the main cause of rabies. Therefore, emphasis should be given to post-exposure preventive care, and integrated measures should be implemented for the prevention and control of rabies.