The Shandong Peninsular constitutes the eastern part of Shandong, a province in the lower reaches of the Yellow River and a cradle of the Dawenkou and Longshan cultures about 4,000 years ago. During the Western Zhou (c. 1066-771 BC) Dynasty and the spring and autumn (770-476 BC) and Warring States (475-221 BC) periods, most part of Shandong became part of the states of Qo and Lu, which bequeathed a rich legacy on the land. Shandong abounds in tourist resources. Mount Taishan has made the UNESCO List of world cultural and natural heritage sites. Qingdao, Yanai, Weihai and Penglai are famed seaside tourist resorts. Shandong was also the homeland of Confucius and Mencius, two celebrated thinker of ancient China.

Abbreviation: Lu
Area: 156,700 square km
Population: 88.38 million

THE PROVINCE'S MEAN TEMPERATURE ()

Jinan, capital of Shandong Province, is a famous historical and cultural city known as the "Capital of Springs" or "City of Springs" since ancient times. "Baotu" "Black Tiger", "Pearl", and "Five-Dragon" are the names of the four best known of the 72 springs in this charming city, which is situated with Mount Taishan in the south and the Yellow River in the north. Other attractions: Thousand-Buddha Mountain, Daming Lake, and Lingyan Temple with the Four-Door Pagoda.

Mount Taishan

Mount Taishan, its main peak at an elevation of 1,545 metres, and its smudge of peaks looking majestic in their sheer masses, is regarded as the holiest of all the five holy mountains in China. For its long history, scientific value and natural beauty, Taishan has been designated as a world natural and cultural heritage site. The Daimiao and Bixia temples are among the mountain's major sites of historical interest, and the Yuhuang (Jade Emperor) and Riguan (Sun-Watching) peaks are primary scenic spots. A visit to Mount Taishan not only brings one in touch with its peaks and stones of imaginary images, ancient trees famed rich in cultural implications, and its awesome topographical wonders-it also provides the opportunity to marvel at stone tablets inscribed with poems composed by emperors and poets. Watching the sunrise atop the mountain is definitely a fascinating experience.

Qufu

Qufu is another famous historical and cultural city of China. During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, Qufu was the capital of the state of Lu, and the native place of Confucius, a celebrated thinker and educator and the father of Confucianism. Chinese rulers and scholars of various dynasties held Confucius in high esteem, and the Confucian temple, mansion and graveyard were built in Qufu as a result, which are now on the UNESCO'S list of world cultural heritage sites. Confucian Temple, where libations and sacrifices were offered to Confucius, is a complex of tall and elegant buildings. Confucian Mansion, where the thinker's scions resided and ran official business, is another giant courtyard with 463 halls, chambers and rooms. Confucian Graveyard, where the remains of Confucius and those of his descendents are buried, is a 200-hectare affair planted with more than 100,000 ancient trees. When visiting Qufu, don't miss the chance of tasting the dishes prepared in the Confucian kitchen. The classical concerts and dances staged nightly at Qufu's Queli Guesthouse are worth seeing for their authentic Spring and Autumn and Warring States styles. Qufu can be reached by bus from Jinan and Taishan.

Zoucheng

Zoucheng, a neighbouring city of Qufu, was the native place of another ancient Chinese thinker, Mencius. The Mencius temple, mansion and graveyard in the city are as majestic and elegant as their counterparts in Qufu. Zoucheng also has something else to offer its visitors: the famous and scenic Yishan Mountain, and a Ming cemetery.

Qingdao

Qingdao in east Shandong is a fine harbour on the Yellow Sea. It is also a renowned beach resort. Numerous European-style villas and churches have turned the city into a veritable world architecture museum. Qingdao boasts a lot of fine bathing beaches, one of them having been converted into a national summer resort-Shilaoren (Old Stone Man) National Holiday Resort, which is equipped with a 18-hold golf course, an international beer city and an amusement park-on-the-sea, in addition to some posh hotels, villas and apartment buildings. Zhangqiao (Plank Pathway), Lesser Qingdao, and Badaguan (Eight Major Passes) are among the scenic attractions in the city. To the southeast of Qingdao is Laoshan Mountain, a national scenic Zone and major Taoist sanctuary with 10 well-preserved temples. As renowned as Qingdao's landscape is Qingdao Beer. The International Qingdao Beer Festival takes place in summer every year along with the International Marine Festival.

Yantai

Yantai is another famed port city and seaboard tourist city in northeast Shandong. Quite a few historical relics bear witness to visits by Qinshihuang, who founded the Qin, and Emperor Wudi of the Han. Eighty-three km off the shore of Yantai is Penglai, a fairyland-like resort on the northernmost tip of Shandong Peninsula. The mystique of Penglai is mostly ascribed to the mirages that occur beyond the sea, and the Penglai pavilion proves an ideal place for watching the sea and enjoying the sunrise.

Zibo

Zibo, an eastern Shandong city 110 km from Jinan, is another famous cultural and historical city. It is where ruins of the Dawenkou culture of 7,000 years ago and the Longshan culture of 7,000 years ago and the Longshan culture of 4,000 years ago have been found. During the Warring States Period Zibo was the capital of the state of Qi and the largest city in the east. Many celebrated thinkers, including Confucius, Mencius, Xun Zi, had visited the city on lecture tours. The former residence of Pu Songling (1640-1715), author of the Qing classic Strange Tales from a Carefree Studio, is there. The rare discovery of a large Spring and Autumn Period tomb with chariots and horses prompted City Hall to build the Chinese Ancient Chariot Museum in 1994.

Educational Tour of Qufu

Shandong was the cradle of education in the east in ancient times. Apricot Altar at the Confucian Temple of Qufu was where Confucius lectured. An educational tour of Qufu enables tourists to learn Chinese calligraphy, classical Chinese musical instruments and cooking, with graduation ceremonies taking place in the Confucian Mansion. They may also visit schools, cultural facilities and famed scenic resorts.

Calligrabphic Tour

Shandong, the native place of Wang Xizhi, a pre-eminent calligrapher of ancient times, abounds in calligraphic resources. Over 70 percent of China's Han-dynasty stone tablets are found in this province, not to mention so many ancient stone inscriptions preserved in Mount Taishan, Yishan Mountain, Wenfeng Mountain in Yantai, and Laoshan and Tainzhu mountains in Qingdao.

Bird-Watching Tour

Among the endangered species of birds inhabiting the national nature reserves on Long Island and in Yellow River Delta, are red-crested cranes and golden eagles under first-class state protection. In spring and autumn, these nature reserves provide excellent stopovers for migratory birds. Both places are dream places for lovers of mankind's two-legged friends.

MAJOR FESTIVALS

Int'l Confucian Cultural Festival
Venue: Qufu
Time: September 26-October 10
What's On: Activities in memory of Confucius, including a grand concert in ancient style in front of the Dacheng Hall of Confucian Temple; tours of Qufu's scenic attractions; educational tour of Confucius' native place; and classical Chinese weddings.

International Kite Festival
Venue: Weifang
Time: April 20-25
What's On: Weifang, the "Kite Capital of the World", is the venue of the world's largest annual kite-flying competition, exhibition and symposium. Participants also have the opportunity to attend unique evening parties and make tours of discovery of local mores.

Int'l Mountaineering Festival
Venue: Mount Taishan
Time: September 6-8
What's On: mountaineering competitions; the holiest Song-dynasty religious ceremony atop the mountain; and folklore performances.

International Qingdao Beer Festival
Venue: Qingdao
Time: August 26-September 10
What's On: Sampling beers of Chinese and foreign brands; drinking competition; full-length variety show; recreational and body-building sports on the sea; visits to tourist resorts.

SOUVENIRS

Qingdao Beer: Qingdao Beer is one of the finest brands in China which enjoys brisk sales on the world market.

Weifang Kites: The kites make in Weifang are known for their superb craftsmanship, multifarious themes, distinct folkloric implications, and close association with local lifestyle.

Jinan Feather Patchwork: Feathers of different birds are patched to produce numerous life-like images.

Qingdao Shell Mosaics: Using sophisticated techniques, the artists of Qingdao have come up with a good variety of bass-relief mosaics which sell like hot cakes overseas.

Zibo Artistic Ceramics: These objects of art are made for both ornamental and practical purposes. They are art collectors' dream objects.

Shandong E-Gelation: The finest E-gelatin, a traditional Chinese blood-nourishing tonic made from donkey skins, can be found in Dong'e, Pingyin and Yanggu counties.

Shandong melons and Fruits: These include Yantai apples, Laiyang pears, Feicheng peaches, Dezhou watermelons, Leling golden-veined small dates, Daze Mountain grapes, Yantai cherries, which are popular at home and abroad for their god quality.

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