Hometown of Confucius, Friendly Shandong

Known as the hometown of renowned philosopher and educationist Confucious, whose teachings extend over Chinese civilization and beyond borders, Shandong province in East China is rich in cultural and tourism resources, including a wealth of cultural heritage, scenic spots, idyllic villages, culinary delights, a widespread transport network and quality tourism services, and has established a reputation as a popular destination, attracting flocks of tourists from home and abroad to immerse themselves in its natural beauty and cultural charm

Nestled in the lower reaches of the Yellow River and on the eastern edge of the North China Plain, Shandong province has long been famed for its rich resources, extensive history and diverse cultures.

From multiple historical sites and breathtaking landscapes to appetizing local cuisine, Shandong offers a broad array of attractions and experiences that captivate tourists from around the world.

Historical and cultural heritage

Shandong has been one of the most-developed regions in China since the prehistoric period, fostering a wealth of cultures.

On the Shandong Peninsula, archaeologists have discovered several neolithic sites including those of the Beixin, Dawenkou and Longshan cultures, which highlight the region's significance as a cradle of ancient Chinese civilization.

From the Western Zhou Dynasty (c.11th century-771 BC) to the Warring States Period (475-221 BC), the region was home to the two powerful states of Qi and Lu, which is why Shandong is known as "the Land of Qilu" today.

From the Sui Dynasty (581-618) to Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the Beijing-Hangzhou Great Canal extended into Shandong, further promoting the region's connectivity and economic growth.

The Shandong section of the Grand Canal is 643 kilometers long, creating a cultural corridor with a series of historical sites, ancient towns and villages, rich intangible cultural heritage, and a variety of exquisite local cuisines.

For example, Shanxi-Shaanxi Guild Hall, located on the west bank of the ancient canal in Liao cheng, Shandong, was a place where Shanxi and Shaanxi merchants gathered, conducted business, stored goods and entertained during the mid to late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). It is the only well-preserved commercial guild hall in the canal region of Shandong.

Taierzhuang Ancient Town in Zaozhuang city is located in the middle section of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, rich in intangible cultural heritage and traditional handicraft resources. The town still retains numerous ancient streets, lanes, and buildings, earning it the title of "Living Ancient Canal" by the World Tourism Organization.

Currently, Shandong is developing 10 cultural and tourism routes along the Grand Canal, focusing on the theme of experiencing canal culture on board and experiencing ancient town and village accommodation culture off board. These routes organically connect various cultural themes, such as "water transport on the shore, the past and present charm of the Grand Canal,""looking back to the ancient times, the historical and modern charm of the canal" and "intangible cultural heritage memories, the enduring charm of the Grand Canal", showcasing the unique charm of the Grand Canal in Shandong from multiple perspectives.

The Great Wall of Qi, located in the Taiyi Mountains in Shandong province, has a history of over 2,600 years. It is the oldest ancient Great Wall in China with accurate remains, well-preserved conditions, and is considered the "father of the Great Wall."

So far, the province has established more than 800 museums to better preserve the cultural heritage, and 10 of its cities — including the provincial capital Jinan, Qingdao, Liaocheng, Qufu and Qingzhou — have been recognized as national historical cultural cities.

The Shandong Museum, located in Jinan, houses a collection of more than 140,000 historical artifacts. Highlights of the exhibits include the eggshell black pottery high-stem goblet from the neolithic period, the Ya Chou bronze battle-axe from the Shang Dynasty (c.16th century-11th century BC), and the nine-tasseled crown which was unearthed from the tomb of Zhu Tan (1370-89), the son of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) founder Zhu Yuanzhang.

Among them, Qufu, a county-level city in southwestern Shandong, is the birthplace of Chinese philosopher and educator Confucius (551-479 BC), also known as Kong Qiu.

Confucius's teachings helped build Shandong as a national center of early Chinese philosophy, and have profoundly shaped Chinese culture and society for centuries.

The Temple of Confucius in Qufu, along with the Confucius Cemetery and the Kong Family Mansion, were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.

The site offers a glimpse into Confucius's life story and thinking, and showcases the grandeur of ancient Chinese architecture.

Other historical figures hailing from Shandong include the fourth-century thinker Mencius (372-289 BC), who is considered the "second sage" of Confucianism, after Confucius; Sun Tzu, a Chinese military strategist from the Warring States Period; Wang Xizhi, a master calligrapher from the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-420) and Li Qingzhao (1084-1155), a female poet renowned for her subtle and graceful works.

Natural beauty, scenic wonders

Shandong's natural scenery is as magnificent as its cultural heritage, ranging from majestic mountains and mighty rivers to lakes, wetlands and oceans.

Rising 1,545 meters above sea level, Taishan Mountain, esteemed as the "most revered of China's five great mountains", is located in the city of Taian.

To reach the Jade Emperor Peak, the mountain's highest point, visitors must take on the challenge of climbing nearly 8,000 steps.

But the arduous hike proves to be rewarding, as at the summit, they can see a stunning vista of ancient temples, towering pines, steep cliffs thrusting out through the sea of clouds.

Adjacent to northern Taian is the provincial capital Jinan, which is often dubbed as the "city of springs" for its abundant water sources.

The most famous of them is the Baotu Spring in the city's downtown area, which has been celebrated in poetry and art over the centuries for its crystal clear, bubbling waters.

The spring flows northward into the city's other scenic attraction — the Daming Lake.

Visitors can take a boat ride on the water to appreciate the natural splendor, while exploring the historical sites on the shoreline. Particularly in spring and summer, the swaying willows and blooming lotus flowers create a serene, beautiful view.

Beyond mountains and springs, with some 3,500-kilometer coastline, the province also provides visitors with fascinating coastal attractions and seaside activities.

One of the most popular coastal cities is Qingdao, which is particularly renowned for its charming beaches, time-honored breweries and historical European-style architecture.

The Golden Beach, named for its golden, fine-grained sands, is ideal for sunbathing and swimming, while the Shilaoren Beach offers a perfect viewpoint for watching the sunrise over the sea.

The coastal city of Dongying is where the Yellow River, China's mother river, joins the Bohai Sea. It's also one of the top destinations among photographers seeking natural wonders.

Spanning about over 150,000 hectares, the Shandong Yellow River Delta National Nature Reserve in Dongying city is home to nearly 400 species of birds, some of which are under the national first-class protection such as the Oriental stork, the hooded crane and the red-crowned crane.

Based on the reserve, the city has set up the Yellow River Estuary Ecotourism Area, allowing tourists to admire bird flocks, vast wetlands and the spectacular dividing line between the Yellow River and the Bohai Sea.

Shandong currently has around 250,000 hectares of wetland parks and nearly 300,000 hectares of forest parks at national and provincial levels.

Rural tourism

Zhuquan village in Linyi, Shandong province, has a history of more than 400 years. In Chinese, zhu literally means bamboo and quan means springs, reflecting the two major landscapes of the village.

In 2019, the village was inducted into China's first batch of key villages for rural tourism. Visitors can take a casual stroll along the bamboo-lined paths, stay in traditional stone dwellings, and partake in activities such as fruit picking in order to enjoy the slow-paced, leisurely village life.

Besides Zhuquan, Shandong boasts a multitude of picturesque, tranquil villages, making it one of the top options for people looking to escape from the hustle and bustle of cities.

At Houshanwang village in Rizhao, travelers can explore rolling mountains, pick tea leaves and sip some fresh tea amid a breathtaking landscape of vibrant green.

Meanwhile, at Dongchudao village in the city of Rongcheng, they can wander the streets dotted with ancient buildings, have a close encounter with seagulls and fish with local residents.

The rural areas of Shandong have also preserved a wealth of traditional customs and intangible cultural heritage. So far, a total of 186 cultural items from the province have been recognized as national intangible heritage including kite-making techniques from Weifang, shadow puppet plays from Jinan, paper-cutting from Gaomi and wicker-weaving from Linshu county, Linyi.

Throughout the year, tourists can participate in different folk festivals and traditional cultural activities around the province to experience its artistic creativity and cultural diversity.

Culinary delight

Shandong cuisine, or Lu cuisine, is one of the eight major culinary schools of Chinese cuisine.

It emphasizes a wide range of ingredients, fresh, salty flavors and the use of different culinary methods. The common cooking techniques of Lu cuisine include quick-frying, roasting, braising, coating sugar and stewing, making dishes both visually appealing and delectable.

One of the iconic delicacies of Shandong cuisine is jiuzhuan dachang, or braised intestines in brown sauce, with history dating back to the Qing Dynasty.

To prepare jiuzhuan dachang, the pork intestines are first cleaned and boiled and then deep-fried, and stewed with 10 more condiments such as garlic, black pepper and cinnamon.

What sets the dish apart is the combination of chewy texture and a special flavor profile that is salty, spicy, sour and slightly sweet.

Seafood also plays a crucial role in Shandong cuisine, reflecting the region's coastal geography, rich marine resources and its dedication to culinary excellence.

The notable seafood delicacies include sea cucumber with scallions, dumplings with Spanish mackerel filling and braised prawns.

In addition, almost every city in Shandong has its own street food and specialties such as the braised chicken from Dezhou, shaobing (a type of crispy baked flatbread) from Zhoucun district in Zibo, and bazirou (a pork belly slice stewed with soy sauce) from Jinan.

Transportation and accommodation

Shandong boasts an extensive and well-connected public transport network involving buses, trains, planes and ferries.

Major tourism cities like Jinan, Qingdao, Weihai and Yantai are linked by high-speed railways and highways, making it easier for tourists to travel between destinations efficiently and comfortably.

For example, the high-speed rail journey from Qingdao to Weihai takes as little as over one hour.

Departing from Jinan, travelers need only spend only one and a half hours to reach Beijing and three hours to Shanghai via the Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway.

The province also has four international airports in Jinan, Qingdao, Yantai and Weihai, with direct flights to the United Kingdom, Russia, Australia, Japan and South Korea, among other countries and regions.

These airports are equipped with modern facilities and high-quality services, ensuring a hassle-free travel experience.

A good night's sleep is essential to a perfect journey. In Shandong, tourists are offered plenty of accommodation options covering luxury hotels, homestays, country inns and guesthouses.

A highlight is that many cities across the province have their own unique hotels or homestays close to scenic sites, allowing tourists to immerse themselves in natural beauty and enjoy a pleasant stay.

These include The Lalu Qingdao, a seaside Confucianism-themed hotel in Qingdao and the Bright Qi Hotels and Resort in Zibo, which features an awe-inspiring landscape due to its location on an 800-meter-high cliff of the city's Tanxi Mountain.

Welcome to Shandong

In Shandong, diverse festivals offer a glimpse into Qilu culture, such as Rizhao Sun Prayer Ceremony.

LI XIAOTIAN/CHINA DAILY