Ask a QuestionShandong, a province restoring ancient Chinese culture for centuries, is a pivotal cultural and religious site for Taoism, Chinese Buddhism, and Confucianism. TopChinaTravel would like to introduce some of the Best Places to visit in Shandong, to help you find your way to explore the unspoiled beauty of this charming and mysterious area. Where to visit in Shandong? Travel with us, just let us to be your guide and accompany with you to discover the charms between mountains and Confucius.
Mount Taishan is a typical symbol of China. As one of the "Five Sacred Mountains", it is associated with sunrise, birth, and renewal, and is often regarded the foremost of the five. Mt. Tai has been a place of worship for at least 3,000 years and served as the foremost ceremonial center for eastern China during large portions of this period.
Mt. Taishan is a tilted fault-block mountain with height increasing from the north to the south. It is the oldest example of a paleo-metamorphic formation from the Cambrian Period in eastern China. Known as the Taishan Complex, this formation contains magnetized, metamorphic, and sedimentary rock as well as intrusions of other origins during the Archean Era. The uplift of the region started in the Proterozoic Era; by the end of the Proterozoic, it had become part of the continent.
Daming Lake is one of the three symbols of Jinan with the Baotu Spring and the Thousand-Buddha Hill. It is a natural lake formed after all springs converge. In 13 century, the Italian traveler, Mark Polo marveled here as "what a beautiful landscape of lake and rocks." In the center of the lake perches the Lixia Pavilion.
The glistening light of waves of lake water is clear, the fish dive that the kite flies, the pleasure-boat walks. Many lotuses all over growing from ancient times in Daming Lake, the lakeside weeping willow is in accordance with depending on, the flowers and trees are luxuriant and well-spaced, "three pieces of willow of lotus on four sides, lake of half a city of color of mountain of a city" is the best portrayal of her scenery.
It is widely known that Jinan is called "the hometown of springs". And among these springs, Baotu Spring is the most outstanding one and enjoys the reputation as "the No. 1 spring in the world".
The water of Baotu Spring spurts out in three prongs, with water droplets falling around, just like three piles of snow, which is very spectacular. The spring water is very sweet, optimum for making tea, which is limpid in color, rich in aroma, good in taste. Sitting under the "Watching Crane Pavilion" in the east side of the spring with a cup of tea in hand, one's mind will fly faraway and hates to leave. Every severe winter, the steam boils, like the light silk mistily. Draw in the cloister around the spring, various flowers and different wood are thriving, forming the peculiar flower garden in the garden.
Confucian Temple, as one of the Qufu highlights, is a must-see attraction when you plan Shandong tour. The temple was built according to the specification for imperial palaces; it is one of the three ancient building complexes in our country and holds an important position even in the world.
Inside of this complex, there are 9 yards, each among which has its own characters. The temple has an outer wall, with four corner towers, which shelters ancient pines. The temple houses more than two thousand stone tablets with inscriptions in various styles of calligraphy. The front 10 stone columns are carved with dragons. In addition to a statue of Confucius, the hall also houses stone inscription of the Ming Dynasty, which tells the life story of Confucius in 120 pictures, as well as a great deal of stone tablets.
Confucian Cemetery takes up 1.998 million square meters and around it there is a seven-kilometer-long hedge. It is the largest, oldest, and best-preserved single-family cemetery in China. This final resting place of Confucius and his descendants is commonly known as the Forest of Confucius because of the large number of trees - over 20,000 - planted there by the Kong clan. At 200 hectares, the cemetery-cum-forest is China's largest artificial park, with numerous tombstones, temples, pavilions and sculptures.
The Confucian Cemetery is also a botanical garden, as there are over 42,000 trees in it, and the planting of trees in it started 2,400 years ago. After Confucius death in 479BC, most of his descendants and clansmen were buried in the cemetery, such as the tombs of his son Kong Li and grandson Kong Ji. The tomb of Confucius is 6.2 meters high and has a circumference of 88 meters, so it has been expanding ever since.
Confucius Mansion, also named Shengfu, Comprising 450 halls, this residence was used by the Kong family, headed by the eldest male direct descendants of Confucius who were granted special privileges by the emperors.
It is the largest and grandest feudal noble mansion preserved to this day in China was erected during the Ming and Qing dynasties.
The mansion arranged in three parts has 9 courtyards, 463 halls, towers, and verandas, which covers a total area of 16 hectares. The houses along the middle route are the main part of the mansion. After many times of rebuilding and expansion, it has turned into a typical feudal noble mansion combining official buildings with a residence.
Qingdao Beer Museum is the unique beer museum build by Tsingtao Beer Brewery. Invested by 28,000 yuan, this museum covers an area more than 6,000 square meters. Built in 1903, it combines historical treasures with modern design.
Based on the former factory of Tsingtao Beer Brewery, Qingdao Beer Museum takes the history of beer and the making process of it as the theme to tell visitors more about beer in China Qingdao.
The museum profound culture and advanced technology, and integrates beer entertainment and shopping. There are many things in this area, for example, the cultural relics, pictures and data which were collected from Europe and Tsingtao beer's objects in the different periods.
As every one known that Qingdao is a harbor city. The beach in Qingdao can be a must-go place during your Qingdao City. And the No.1 Bathing Beach, which is famous for the soft sand, clean water and clam waves, welcomes you all the time.
Surrounded on three sides by mountains, the beach is like the pearl of Huiquan Bay. The gentle slope and mild waves make the place a comfortable play area. Visitors can sunbathe here and swim near the coast, relaxing by playing volleyball or running on the sand and even dining on the beach. The region's comfortable weather makes it a good choice to avoid the summer heat. Even in winter this place is crowded with keen swimmers.
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