{"id":8457,"date":"2025-07-25T17:10:09","date_gmt":"2025-07-25T09:10:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/1000journey.my\/en\/?p=8457"},"modified":"2025-11-24T12:39:20","modified_gmt":"2025-11-24T04:39:20","slug":"shandong-travel-guide-ports-peaks-philosophers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/1000journey.my\/en\/shandong-travel-guide-ports-peaks-philosophers\/","title":{"rendered":"Shandong Travel Guide: Ports, Peaks & Philosophers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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When it comes to China, Beijing is usually the first choice for first time travellers, what with its status as the capital and a rich history and cuisine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But veer just a little south and you\u2019ll come across a curious province.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although unknown outside of China, this next door province boasts its third-largest economy and second-largest population while occupying a prestigious place in its history and culture.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Welcome to Shandong. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shandong: East of the Mountain <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Literally named “East of the Mountain”, Shandong’s history, culture and even geography could be said to be a tale of dueling dualities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Divided between a mountainous west and coastal east, a traditional inland culture and pioneering coastal culture as well as the historical Lu and Qi kingdoms – these dualities have shaped the modern Shandong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the Warring States period, the Qi and the Lu were two of Shandong\u2019s prominent kingdoms. The Qi were the last to be conquered by the Qin Dynasty while the Lu would give birth to a scholar you might know called Confucius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, the Qi and Lu kingdoms were so massively influential to Shandong\u2019s identity that many Chinese still refer to the province as Qilu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Qingdao Railway Station is one of the city’s most prominent legacies of German colonial rule.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Fast forward to the 19th century, Shandong\u2019s wealth and coasts would be seized by foreign powers like Japan, Russia, the UK and most significantly – Germany. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most of them would extract concessions and establish colonies, particularly the Germans at the port city of Qingdao, inadvertently spawning a booming tourism industry centered on Western-style heritage buildings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, Shandong is considered one of the most prosperous and livable provinces in China. And with so many enticing attractions, there\u2019s no better time to visit!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are four of the must-see attractions among the peaks and shores of Shandong. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jinan: City of Springs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Black Tiger Spring, Jinan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ever since the Ming Dynasty first carved out a province called Shandong, the inland city of Jinan has been its capital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blessed with a staggering 72 natural springs, this \u201cCity of Springs\u201d is a wellspring of watery attractions of all shapes and sizes that stand next to shopping streets full of old-school charm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Baotu Spring. Photo: Windmemories<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The most famous of these springs is arguably Baotu Spring <\/strong>or literally \u201cBubbling Spring\u201d. And at a glance, it\u2019s not hard to see why. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the center of the spring, framed by gently swaying weeping willows and majestic pavilions and temples, three constantly churning natural water jets add untold litres of pristine spring water into the glowing turquoise above. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So fascinated by Baotu\u2019s beauty were the ancient Chinese that it was included in the classical Chinese text Spring and Autumn Annals <\/em>and even dubbed \u201cThe Supreme Spring Under Heaven\u201d by the Qianlong Emperor of the Qing Dynasty. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But why stop at one spring?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Black Tiger Spring, Jinan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Connected by ancient moats and boat cruises, just like one of southern China\u2019s canal towns<\/a>, is Heihu Spring <\/strong>or Black Tiger Spring. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Compared to the distant jewel that is Baotu, it is a more intimate Jinan spring experience, with direct access and even public taps that allow you to sample or, as some locals do, take home a bottle of clear spring water!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Summer brings with it huge swathes of lotus plants in Daming Lake. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But as impressive as these springs are, none hold a candle size-wise when compared to Daming Lake<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though no Kanas Lake<\/a>, this gigantic 57.7-hectare lake is peppered with various pavilions, halls and parks that make for a great day trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In summer, the vast islands of blooming lotus plants hugging the southern shore are some of its most photogenic sights. Add some far-off islands and apartment blocks and you have one of Jinan\u2019s classic sights. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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