Shandong, a very charming province in the eastern part of China, is where you could enjoy the breathtaking natural scenery, ancient history and brilliant culture. There are four popular cities - Qingdao, Jinan, Qufu, and Tai’an (Mount Tai) and many some other popular destinations to explore.
In Qingdao, you could enjoy the mild waves and gentle wind on the seaside and taste the famous Tsingtao Beer after having a relaxing trip. Qufu, the Hometown of Confucius, attracts you with its sacred Three Confucian Sites and Confucianism. In Tai'an, Hike Mount Tai, the top of the Five Greatest Mountain in China. Also, enjoy the beautiful beaches and coastlines of Shandong Peninsula and experience leisure living in the seaside cities.
Top 7 Places to Visit in Shandong Province (Click to Enlarge)
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No.1: Qingdao - Cheers with the World
Location: in the East of Shandong Province
Recommended Length of Visit: 2-3 days
Events: Qingdao International Beer Festival, Qingdao International Marine Festival
Lying across Shandong Peninsula, Qingdao is surrounded by hills, seas and beaches with gorgeous scenery, always offering you many surprises. Once you are in Qingdao, you’ll feel as though you have mistakenly entered into Switzerland. So, it has got a nickname “Switzerland in Orient”.
This beautiful coastal city is mainly known for its Tsingtao Beer and the annually held Qingdao International Beer Festival. There are more sites fascinated visitors: sunny bathing beaches, precipitous Mount Lao, exotic Badaguan Scenic Resort, Little Qingdao Isle, as well as the city symbol Zhanqiao Pier etc.
Recommended attractions to visit: Laoshan Mountain, Badaguan, No. 1/2 Bathing Beach, Zhangqiao Pier, Qingdao Beer Museum
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No.2: Jinan - the City of Springs
Location: in the northwest of Shandong Province
Recommended Length of Visit: 1-2 days
Jinan, known as City of Springs, is the capital of Shandong Province. In Jinan, you’ll get to know why Shandong is known as “Friendly”. The locals of this city make you feel welcome.
As you know Jinan is a Spring City. There are 72 registered springs, of which Baotu Spring, Black Tiger Spring, Five Dragons’ Pool and Pearl Spring enjoy a good reputation. The top three Jinan attractions include Baotu Spring, Daming Lake and Thousand Buddha Mountain. All the rare natural advantage thus makes a Jinan a special and attractive city.
Recommended attractions to visit: Baotu Spring, Daming Lake, Qianfo Mountain, Black Tiger Spring
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No.3: Qufu – Birthplace of Confucius
Location: in the Southwest of Shandong province
Recommended Length of Visit: 1 day
Events: International Confucius Cultural Festival
Qufu, the birthplace of Confucius, is a place abounds with cultural relics, and the most famous of which are the Confucian Temple, the Confucian Family Mansion and the Confucian Forest, where you can get a better understanding about Confucius.
Located in the center of Qufu city is the Confucian Temple, which was built in 478 BC with 466 halls and pavilions. In the Great Accomplishment Hall, the major structure of the temple, there is a statue of Confucius, as well as ancient stone inscriptions that telling the life story of Confucius in 120 pictures. Adjacent to the Confucian Temple, is the Confucian Family Mansion, which was used to be the residence of Confucius’ descendants. Nowadays, you can find a large number of documents and cultural relics there. The Confucian Forest, also be called the Confucian Cemetery, has been the family graveyard of Confucius and his descendants for more than 2,300 years, and is the best-preserved cemetery in China.
Recommended attractions to visit: Confucius Temple, Kong Family Mansion, Confucius Cemetery
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No.4: Mount Tai - the foremost of China' Five Sacred Mountains
Location: in the Southwest of Shandong province
Recommended Length of Visit: 1-2 days
Events: International Mt. Tai Climbing Festival
Mount Tai, the foremost of the Five Great Mountains of China, is a mountain of historical and cultural significance.
It is well known for its majesty in vigor, grandness in structure, soaring in shy and rooting in terra, broad foundation. It is also a focal point for religion in this area, providing a base for Buddhism and Taoism. The tallest peak is the Jade Emperor Peak at 1,545 meters. For climbing, you can started from the back or north side. There are also round-trip cable cars from the front for travelers to reach the top (Note: The last cable car descends at 4.30 p.m.).
Recommended attractions to visit: Mount Tai, Dai Temple
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No.5: Weifang - the Kite Capital of the World
Location: in the middle of Shandong Province
Recommended Length of Visit: 1 day
Events: Weifang International Kite Festival
Weifang is located in middle Shandong province. It is famous for extraordinary skills of handicrafts, especially kites and new year paintings. It is said that the world’s first kite was made here, and now Weifang is praised as the Capital of Kites. The International Kite Festival is held there every year in in April when kite lovers from around the world fly their beautifully-designed kites in the blue sky of Weifang. You can find more unique kites in Weifang Kite Museum. To explore more local folk culture, you can go to Yangjiabu Folk Culture View Garden where the skillful artisans make some of the best traditional New Year Painting in China and many other spectacular handicrafts. You can get to Weihai by high speed trains from Qingdao, Jinan, Yantai, etc.
Recommended attractions to visit: Weifang Kite Museum, Yangjiabu Folk Culture Village, Shihu Garden
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No.6: Weihai - Leisure Coastal Resort
Location: on eastern coastline of Shandong Peninsula
Recommended Length of Visit: 2 days
Weihai is a beautiful coastal city. It is the birthplace of the first modern navy of China, the closest city in Chinese mainland from Tokyo, Seoul. It is also the battlefield of Sino Japanese naval war in 1894. Currently, Weihai is a great place for beach resort. Here you can enjoy clean sea, golden beach, wild forest, sea birds and many beautiful islets. You can get to Weihai by high speed trains from Qingdao, Jinan, Yantai, etc., or domestic flights from Beijing, Hangzhou, etc., and spend about 2 or 3 days in Weihai.
Recommended attractions to visit: Liugong Island, Chengshantou Scenic Area, Hailu Island, Weihai International Bathing Beach
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No.7: Yantai - Fairyland on the Sea
Location: on the northeastern coastal region of Shandong Peninsula
Recommended Length of Visit: 2 days
Yantai is only about 1 hour’s driving from Weihai city. It is a historical city as well as a popular summer resort destination. Yantai is one of the earliest areas where human beings lived and flourished. In the southwest of Zhifu District of Yantai City, about 1.5 kilometers away from the present coast, it was a small harbor with a history over 7000 years where Baishi people, who mainly made a living by marine fishing and agricultural production, created splendid prehistoric culture. Yantai also provides stunning seascape and golden beach too. The city can be arrived by high speed trains and domestic flights.
Recommended attractions to visit: Yantai Hill Park, Changyu Wine Museum, Yangma Island, Penglai Pavilion
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No.8: Other Popular Shandong Cities
Besides the above five hot destinations, there are some other places worth exploring. Each place has its own characteristics that you could have short break.
Penglai – Known for Penglai Pavilion
Zibo – Capital of the Ancient State of Qi
Linyi – High Mountains and Long RiversThe FRIENDLY SHANDONG is waiting for you to explore!
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