Shandong

Shandong (山东 Shāndōng) is a province in China. Also referred to as Chiloo (齐鲁 Qilu), The Giant State (Shandong people are known to be the tallest in the country), and the hometown of Confucius.

The name means east of the mountains. Shandong is a coastal province situated by the Bohai Sea to the north and the Yellow Sea to the south. The Yellow River runs through the province.

Main attractions are Qufu (the birthplace of Confucius), Mount Tai (holy mountain in Chinese belief, the most climbed mountain in China), Qingdao (nice port city with beaches and German buildings) and Yantai (holiday city with lots of European buildings). The capital, Jinan (a city of springs where water and willows are famous), is renowned for its artesian springs and serves as a transport hub for the region.

Cities

Map of Shandong

1 Jinan 济南 — the capital
2 Caoxian 曹县 — a small commercial town in southwestern Shandong
3 Dezhou 德州 — transportation hub city in northwestern Shandong
4 Dongying 东营 — a coastal wetland city in the northern part of Shandong Province
5 Heze 菏泽
6 Jining 济宁
7 Laiwu 莱芜 — the smallest city in Shandong Province,now a district of Jinan
8 Laixi 莱西
9 Laiyang 莱阳
10 Linyi 临沂
11 Qingzhou 青州
12 Qingdao 青岛 — or Tsingtao the largest city, former German concession, home of Tsingtao Brewery
13 Qufu 曲阜 — the birthplace of Confucius
14 Rizhao 日照 — seaport city south of Qingdao
15 Shanxian单县
16 Tai’an 泰安 — a town established because of Mt. Tai
17 Weifang 潍坊
18 Weihai 威海 — or Port Edward a seaside resort at the eastern end of the peninsula. Formerly, a British naval base.
19 Yantai 烟台 — or Chipoo, holiday city with beaches
20 Zibo 淄博
21 Zaozhuang 枣庄
22 Zhucheng 诸城 — home to the largest dinosaur museum in northern China
23 Zoucheng 邹城 — the birthplace of Mencius

Other destinations

1 Mount Tai (泰山 Tàishān)

2 Linyi (临沂 Línyí— Former residence of Wang Xizhi.
3 Penglai (蓬莱 Pénglái) — Coastal resort, home to Penglai Pagoda, one of the Four Great Towers of China.
4 Taierzhuang（台儿庄Tái’ ér Zhuāng)— The largest ancient town in China.

Understand

Climate

Shandong has a temperate climate: humid continental (Köppen Dwa); it is bordering humid subtropical (Cwa under the Köppen climate classification) in the south. Generally, summers are hot (typical max 35°C) and rainy (except for eastern parts of Jiaodong Peninsula (typical max 28°C) and Mount Tai (typical max 20°C)), while winters are cold and dry. Average temperatures are −9 to 1 °C (16 to 34 °F) in January and 18 to 28 °C (64 to 82 °F) in July. Annual precipitation is 550 to 950 mm (22 to 37 in), the vast majority of which occurs during summer, due to monsoonal influences.

Get in

By plane

There are a few major international airports including Jinan Yaoqiang Airport, Qingdao Jiaodong Airport, Yantai Penglai Airport, and Weihai Dashuipo Airport.

By train

High-speed trains provide regular service from Beijing and Shanghai to cities including Jinan, Taian, Dezhou, Qufu ,Qingdao and Zaozhuang. An average travel time is 2 hrs.
Regular train services provide links between pretty much anywhere else in China to almost any city and town in Shandong Province.

Get around

See

Mount Tai: A World Heritage Site, enjoy sunrise views from the summit and experience the majestic scenery of the “Most Dominant of the Five Mountains.”

Confucius Temple, Cemetery, and Mansion in Qufu: The hometown of Confucius, learn about Confucian culture and history.

Do

Climb Mount Tai: Choose to hike or take the cable car for a pilgrimage-like experience.

Qingdao Beach Activities: In summer, enjoy swimming, beach volleyball, and strolling along the coast.

Eat

Shandong pancakes: a local breakfast specialty, thin, crispy and delicious.

Shandong cuisine classics: sweet and sour carp, nine-turn large intestine, Dezhou braised chicken.

Drink

Tsingtao Beer: Famous both at home and abroad, best enjoyed chilled in summer.

Spring water tea: Jinan spring water can be used directly to make tea, which has a refreshing taste.

Stay safe

When climbing Mount Tai or other scenic areas, pay attention to safety railings and wear comfortable hiking shoes.

Be mindful of personal belongings, especially at popular scenic spots and beaches.

Go next

Jiangsu Province: Such as Nanjing and Suzhou, experience the ancient cities and gardens of Jiangnan.

Henan Province: Such as Luoyang and Shaolin Temple, explore the history and culture of the Central Plains.

Mountain-sea route: Qingdao → Weihai → Yantai, drive along the coast or take a train to enjoy the coastal scenery.

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