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April is the perfect time for flowers to bloom. While the blossoms of Jiangnan have faded, those of Shandong are in full bloom. Join us on a spring journey across Shandong. From Qingdao to Jinan, from azaleas to willows, this springtime adventure promises a memorable experience, capturing the warmth of spring.
Colorful spring scenery in Shandong
"You are the flowers blooming on every tree, the swallows whispering on the beams. You are love, warmth, and hope. You are the April of the world!"
Besides visiting the Shandong Peninsula in summer and admiring Shandong's mountains and rivers in autumn, spring is another season not to be missed in Shandong. Coastal cities offer perfect weather, delicious seafood, and the vibrant cherry blossoms of Qingdao and Yantai are a draw for countless tourists. Spring, with its arrival of life, offers a great way to experience the spring season, whether praying at Mount Tai or viewing the flowers at Laoshan.
Nestled between mountains and the sea, Qingdao, a century-old city, fulfills every spring fantasy: international architecture, a myriad of flowers, ocean views, and endless beer. Known as the "Pearl of the Yellow Sea," Qingdao boasts charming Qianhai scenery, while Laoshan, a Taoist sanctuary, boasts numerous historical sites. Come to Qingdao and experience a vibrant April, a vibrant seascape.
Qingdao's Zhongshan Park is renowned for its early spring cherry blossoms. The park boasts over 2,000 single and double cherry trees, primarily single. All are Japanese, with the Somei Yoshino (single cherry) being the most common. A 660-meter-long Cherry Blossom Street is lined with cherry trees.
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Qingdao Cherry Blossoms: The Qingdao Cherry Blossom Festival has a history of more than 80 years and is held in Zhongshan Park between April and May every year. In the 1930s, the cherry blossom viewing activities in Zhongshan Park were already famous, and the "East China Sea Flower Sea" was listed as one of the ten scenic spots in Qingdao.
Flowers of all colors dot the sides of the tourist trail and the hillsides, vying for beauty and welcoming spring. Every few steps, a vibrant scene unfolds, every few meters, a new landscape unfolds. The vibrant blossoms bring a strong sense of spring to this landscape nestled between mountain and sea. Witness the blossoms in their entirety at Laoshan. This half-mountain, half-sea landscape is uniquely situated here.
Cherry blossoms are in full bloom, blanketing the mountains like mist and clouds, creating a fairyland-like scene. Some are already in full bloom, while others are still buds, creating a vibrant interplay of pink and white. Local fruit farmers explain that the cherry trees here in Laoshan are the first to bloom, so every spring, the area is bustling with visitors eager to admire the blossoms. Throughout Beizhai Subdistrict, there are approximately 400,000 cherry trees.
△ Train to Spring
Dazhushan is known as "the first mountain to bloom crimson in spring," where vast expanses of azaleas transform from pink to purple, instantly painting the hillsides red. Dazhushan's "Three Sisters of Azaleas"—the blue broom, the mountain azalea, and the Kongtong flower—each possess unique characteristics. The blue broom, which blooms earliest and lasts longest, is at its peak around the Qingming Festival. The vibrant azaleas open in mid-April, and the Kongtong flower reaches peak bloom in late April, lasting until May. A trip to Qingdao is a must, to enjoy the spring, pray, and see the blossoms.
Walking into the Wanguo architectural complex, there's no need to search for roses along the street. Inside and outside the quiet European-style courtyards, roses are already blooming freely, poking out from the walls. The most concentrated spot for flower viewing is at Ningwu Pass, where the exterior walls of buildings are adorned with roses, creating a vibrant scene of yellow walls and pink blossoms, creating a fragrance that captivates even before the blossoms are visible. This artistic atmosphere is a favorite among photography enthusiasts.
Jinan, the City of Springs, boasts numerous springs and abundant water, earning it the nickname "Natural Karst Spring Museum." Hundreds of springs surge within the city, including the renowned Baotu Springs, Black Tiger Springs, Five Dragons Pond, and Pearl Springs. Every spring, the city's willow trees sway, the spring breeze caresses, and flowers bloom. Since ancient times, the city has been known for its beautiful scenery: "Springs in every home, weeping willows in every household," and "Lotus on four sides, willows on three sides, mountains in one city, lakes in the other."
Jinan's must-see destinations. Spring arrives, and the shores are shaded by graceful willows; the lake ripples with azure waters, a vibrant display of flowers. Small boats vie for space, pleasure boats ply the waters, and pavilions loom large. The Qing Dynasty Qianlong period's "Licheng County Chronicles: Landscape Studies (IV)" records: "The lake's radiance is vast, the mountains reach far into the distance. Summer lotus waves ripple, spring colors rise like mist. Rowing a boat across it feels like traveling to a land of fragrance, with flutes and drums adding to the distant melodies. This is truly the unique beauty of the north bank of the Yangtze River." Don't miss a spring boat trip on the lake; you might just encounter the "Summer Rain Lotus."
Baotu Spring is the most famous of Jinan's 72 famous springs. During his southern tour, Emperor Qianlong, impressed by the mellow and sweet tea made from its water, crowned it "the best spring in the world." In spring, the spring boasts a warm and pleasant warmth, and flowers bloom in a breathtaking beauty. The literary figure Pu Songling considered it "the most famous spring in China and the unrivaled scenic spot in Qimen." The former residence of Li Qingzhao is also within the Baotu Spring scenic area, offering a chance to fully appreciate the beauty of the poem, "Do you know, do you know, it should be red, plump, and green, thin?"
Hiking in the mountains is a great option in spring. Climb to the Yilan Pavilion and gaze north, taking in the mirror-like Daming Lake in the near distance and the sweeping Yellow River in the distant horizon – a breathtaking view of the Spring City. During the Kaihuang period of the Sui Dynasty (581-600 AD), Buddhism flourished, and thousands of Buddha statues were carved into the mountainside, earning it the name Thousand Buddha Mountain. Thousand Buddha Cliff boasts over 60 Sui Dynasty stone Buddhas, representing a rich history and immense artistic value. P.S.: There's a matchmaking event here every March 3rd.
Zeng Gong wrote, "All the springs in Daiyin rise from the ground. Baotu in the west is the most majestic, and Baimai in the east is the most beautiful." Baimai Spring Park is dotted with springs, each with its own distinct beauty. This beautiful park has produced numerous famous figures throughout history, a place blessed with exceptional people and a rich history. Mingshui in Zhangqiu District is the hometown of Li Qingzhao, the "master of poetry." Beyond its history, the culinary wonders of Mingshui are also worth savoring, with its famous "flowers blooming everywhere, the fragrance of the hillsides overflowing, and cooking at home filling the air with fragrance from the surrounding neighborhood."
As the birthplace of kites, Weifang, also known as the "Kite Capital," boasts a long history of kite-making, a valuable intangible cultural heritage. Over 70% of the world's kites are exported from Weifang. A springtime visit to Weifang is a must-do for kite-flying. The Weifang International Kite Festival is a great opportunity to witness the spectacle.
During the Qianlong reign, there was a saying: "Suzhou in the south, Weixian in the north." The origins of Weifang kites can be traced back to the first wooden kite made by the great Lu State philosopher Mozi. While this tradition spans over 2,000 years, it wasn't until the Ming Dynasty that kites truly flourished and became popular. A poem goes, "The kite market is located near the east city wall, bustling with shoppers. New designs are constantly being created to attract customers, and pairs of butterfly kites form rows."
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The Weifang International Kite Festival, held annually in Weifang from April 20th to 25th, attracts participants from over 30 countries and regions worldwide. It is my country's first large-scale local festival to be recognized internationally and lauded as "international." Since 1984, it has successfully held 36 editions. Its founding model of "kites leading the way, cultural and sports providing the stage, and economic and trade playing the role" has been widely adopted across the country.
Yangjiaobu kites incorporate the characteristics of Yangjiaobu woodblock New Year paintings, emphasizing rich colors, bold and exaggerated forms, and a rugged style. The shapes, materials, color combinations, and production style all convey a strong sense of local flavor. Yangjiaobu woodblock New Year paintings are renowned both domestically and internationally, ranking alongside Tianjin's Yangliuqing and Suzhou's Taohuawu, known as one of China's three major art markets.
The name Qingzhou first appears in the "Book of Documents: Tribute to Yu" (Shishu): "The sea and the mountains are the Qingzhou," making it one of the ancient "Nine Provinces." Over seven thousand years of human cultural development, relics of the Beixun, Longshan, and Dawenkou cultures have been left behind, making it considered by historians the birthplace of Dongyi culture.
There are many scenic spots on Yunmen Mountain, such as the Wangshou Pavilion, the Mountain God Temple, the Red Cliff with Red Mangroves, the Thousand Tortoises Paying Homage to Birthday, the Wangshou Pavilion, the Champion Tree, the Giant Longevity Carving on the Cliff from the Ming Dynasty, the Yunmen Archway, the Two Dragon Pond, the Ma Danyang Relief Statue, the Sanfeng Cave, the Yunmen Mountain Grottoes with Statues from the Sui and Tang Dynasties, the Yun Caves, the Toulongbi Inscriptions, the Yunmen Wonderland, the Yingxu Gate, the Tianchi, the Tianxian Yunu Temple, the Jade Emperor Hall, the Wanchun Cave, and the East and West Langfeng Pavilions.
The ancient city of Qingzhou has a complete urban layout and still retains the traditional layout and historical features of the integration of mountains, water and city. The streets and alleys in the ancient city are well-maintained, and ancient shops and houses are lined up one after another.
Heze boasts a long history of peony cultivation, beginning in the Sui Dynasty, flourishing in the Tang and Song Dynasties, and reaching peak status during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Since ancient times, Caozhou peonies have enjoyed the reputation of being the best in the world and are designated a National Geographical Indication product. Ancient people used the phrase "the flowers are a foot tall" to describe their size, and "a thousand petals of crimson rosy clouds, a hundred branches lit with brilliant crimson lights" to describe their magnificent appearance.
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Heze Peony History: Heze peonies have dominated the history of Chinese peony development for over 500 years. In 2012, the cultivated area of Heze peonies reached over 120,000 mu (approximately 16,000 hectares). The "Caonan Peony Catalogue" states, "By the Ming Dynasty, Caonan peonies were the best in China." Even in the Qing Dynasty, there was a saying that "Caozhou peonies are the best in the world."
The name "Qufu" was first seen in "The Book of Rites". Ying Shao of the Eastern Han Dynasty explained: "There is a hill in the city of Lu, which winds for seven or eight miles, so it was named Qufu."
The Temple of Confucius, dedicated to Confucius and honoring Confucianism, was first built during the Zhou Dynasty and completed during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is the largest of the more than 2,000 Confucius Temples in the world. The Confucius Mansion, home to the eldest direct descendant of Confucius, is China's oldest, largest, and best-preserved ancient architectural complex combining government offices and residences, earning it the title "The First Family Under Heaven." The Konglin Cemetery, a family cemetery, is the largest in the world. Since Confucius was buried on the Si River north of Lu City, his descendants have continued to be buried there without interruption for over 2,000 years.
The Confucian Mansion's exclusive banquets, specially prepared for distinguished guests, succession celebrations, memorial anniversaries, birthdays, weddings, and funerals, are a unique family feast that has evolved and enriched over centuries. The Confucian Mansion Banquet, gradually formed by absorbing culinary techniques from across the country, has been continuously updated over the centuries and continues to this day.
Like the Confucius Mansion Banquet, this unique pastry boasts a long history, passed down through generations. Especially during the Ming and Qing dynasties, Confucius Mansion pastries were far superior to the more famous pastries sold on the market. Confucius Mansion pastries are baked and eaten fresh, ensuring their color, aroma, taste, and appearance are all perfectly balanced.
Mount Tai, considered by the ancients to be a paradise "directly connected to the throne of the emperor," became a sacred mountain worshipped by the common people and offered sacrifices by the emperors. There was a saying, "When Mount Tai is at peace, all the world is at peace." From the Qin Shihuang Emperor to the Qing Dynasty, 13 successive emperors ascended Mount Tai to offer sacrifices or perform rituals, while another 24 emperors sent officials to perform sacrifices 72 times. The mountain is home to over 20 ancient architectural complexes and over 2,200 steles and stone carvings.
The best time to visit Mount Tai is from May to November. You can see four wonders: sunrise (the best time to view sunrise at Mount Tai is in May), the sea of clouds, sunset glow, and the golden belt of the Yellow River.
Mount Tai is closely connected to the urban area of Tai'an, with the city situated at its southern foot. Mount Tai lies directly north of the city, and on a clear day, Jade Emperor Peak, the main peak, is clearly visible. There are four official entrances to Mount Tai for ticket sales: Hongmen Palace, Tianwai Village (Heaven and Earth Square), Taohuayu, and Tianzhu Peak.
△ Transportation to Mount Tai Scenic Area
Approximately 3,000 years ago, Linzi District was the capital of Qi, the most prosperous state during China's Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. Qi boasted a highly developed education system, with high standards for poetry and music. Confucius is said to have listened to Shao music in Qi and experienced "no meat for three months." Linzi District served as Qi's capital for over 700 years and was the largest city in eastern China at the time. Fun Fact: Cuju, the prototype of modern football, originated in Qi. Consequently, Linzi District has been recognized by FIFA as the birthplace of world football.
The towering Pishan Pass, the vast ancient terraced fields, and the Qi Great Wall are all within easy reach. Our hike began in the thousand-year-old village of Yongquan, and weaved through the spring sunshine to the Pishan section of the Qi Great Wall. This is the most well-preserved section of the thousand-mile wall and the foundation of the legend of Meng Jiangnu weeping at the Great Wall, which has been passed down for over 2,000 years. Every spring, the peach blossoms here are in full bloom, and exploring the ancient Great Wall ruins amidst the fragrance of the flowers is a fascinating and fascinating experience.
The temperature in Shandong in April is around 12℃-23℃. It is recommended to wear a thin coat + long skirt, T-shirt and other comfortable clothes. Central Shandong is colder than other cities, so it is recommended to prepare a thick coat.
△ Shandong's average temperature in April
Shandong cuisine tends to have a heavy flavor, and is accustomed to using seasonings such as soy sauce and salt. Learn to adapt to the "heavy taste"; drink more purified water and eat fresh fruits to prevent acclimatization; avoid eating unclean snacks on the roadside (especially seafood and barbecue), try to eat seafood with vinegar, and be careful not to eat raw or cold foods.
△ Spring Shandong cuisine
Many of the tourist attractions in Shandong Province are historical and cultural attractions. We must protect cultural relics and historical sites. Wherever we go, we should consciously protect cultural relics and historical sites as well as the flowers, plants and trees in the scenic area. We should not scribble on the scenic areas and historical sites at will, and practice civilized and green travel.
"I say you are the April on earth; your laughter lights up the wind on all sides; you dance lightly in the splendor of spring. You wear the crown of bright flowers." It's April on earth, come to the north to find spring, Shandong welcomes you!
