Day 1: All over the country → Jinan (assembly day, check in to Jinan hotel)
All day
Recommended tours in Jinan (full day meeting, free time, bus not included)
Baotu Spring: A must-see when visiting Jinan! When you're tired, find a seat on one of the garden's corridors and savor the magnificent scenery while perusing Lao She's poem "Baotu Spring." Experience the sentiment expressed in the poem, "Without Baotu Spring, Jinan would lose half its charm."
Daming Lake: One of Jinan's three major scenic spots, it's known as the "Pearl of the Spring City." Daming Lake, illuminated by streetlights at night, is a truly breathtaking sight, and its reflections are incredibly photogenic. Chaoran Tower is also a great spot for nighttime photography. If you're a photography enthusiast, don't miss Daming Lake's nightscape.
Furong Street: Once a bustling area of Jinan, this place was home to merchants and many wealthy families. Today, Furong Street is a must-visit (foodie recommendations: Lingji Duck Blood Vermicelli [a must-try chicken soup dumplings], Zhuangyuan Rice Noodles, and Xuji Noodle House). Stroll through the historic buildings of old Jinan and savor the charm of bygone times.
Kuanhouli: A century-old historical district in the land of Qilu, where Mao and the street meet, the river echoes the city, springs and water merge, and history and modernity blend. Unlike Furong Street's historic feel, this area features more modern elements: internet-famous shops, bars, small, fresh, and artistic shops. When you're tired of shopping, enjoy a street art performance, relax on a rattan chair or wooden bench, and quietly experience the ancient charm and new look of this century-old street.
Day 2 Jinan → Yellow River Estuary Wetland → Qingzhou
·morning
After breakfast at the hotel, we headed to the Yellow River Estuary Wetland to explore the "Romance of Autumn"
Depart at 7:30, and have lunch at your own leisure near Dongying City (mostly light meals, but you can also bring your own lunch)
·afternoon
Around 12:30 PM, we arrived at the Yellow River Estuary Wetland Scenic Area. Located at the mouth of the Yellow River, we admire the pristine beauty of the wetlands. Here, you can witness the Chinese nation's mother river as it empties into the sea, marvel at the confluence of river and sea, and admire the boundless, wondrous wetland landscape. In autumn, not only do the endless expanses of reeds turn golden, but the red beaches (Suaeda winged) are captivating. While not as spectacular as those in Panjin, Liaoning, they still resemble clusters of fiery red seedlings, growing wildly and blanketing the ground in crimson.
·night
Then drive to Qingzhou, check in to the hotel, have free time for dinner, and in the evening you can also freely stroll around the night view of Qingzhou Ancient City.
Day 3 Qingzhou → Shimenfang → Dai Temple → Accommodation in Tai'an
·morning
After breakfast at the hotel, we headed to Shimenfang Red Leaf Valley.
We arrived around 8:30 AM. Compared to the red leaves at Beijing's Fragrant Hills, the same crimson leaves offered a different feeling, evoking a sense of "a fairyland, not of this world, drunkenly talking among the bushes, never wanting to return." The cotinus coggygria trees in Shimenfang Scenic Area ignited the emerald green of the mountains, and the occasional pine trees accentuated the vibrant crimson leaves. Under the sunlight, the vibrant crimson, pink, scarlet, and peach colors shone in distinct layers. In the chill autumn breeze, the crimson clouds seemed to surge forth like a sea of red.
You can enjoy lunch freely in the scenic area (mainly simple meals, or you can bring your own meals)
·afternoon
We will gather at 11:30 and depart for Dai Temple, arriving at 14:30. Dai Temple is one of the four major ancient architectural complexes in China, along with the Forbidden City in Beijing, the Three Confucius Temples in Qufu, Shandong, the Mountain Resort in Chengde, and the Eight Outer Temples.
In late autumn, walking in the Dai Temple, along the stone road, looking through the ancient window lattices at the red leaves, the sunlight leaks through the bottom of the leaves, scattering mottled spots on the ground.
The Dai Temple is picturesque all year round, especially in autumn, when the ancient buildings blend with the autumn colors, and history and the present complement each other!
Afterwards, we went to watch the Tai'an Shadow Play. Taishan Shadow Play is known as the essence of the "Ten Non-Idle" Chinese art. Let us appreciate the charm of traditional Chinese culture in the interweaving of light and shadow.
·night
The tour ends around 17:00 and you will be transferred to the hotel for accommodation. In the evening, you will enjoy Shandong cuisine and have a good rest to prepare for tomorrow's trip to Mount Tai.
Day 4: Mount Tai full day
·morning
After breakfast at 8:00, we will gather at the hotel and drive to climb Mount Tai.
We arrived at Tianwai Village around 8:30 and took a bus from Tianwai Village to Zhongtianmen (about a half-hour drive). From there, we took a cable car to Nantianmen (including a one-way upward cable car), hiked to the top of the mountain, and concentrated on visiting the Daiding Scenic Area: Tianjie, Wangwu Scenic Spot, Qingdi Palace, Jade Emperor Temple, Gongbei Stone and other attractions.
A special blessing ceremony is arranged at the top of the mountain, and blessing belts are given out to pray for happiness and prosperity.
·afternoon
We are free to go down the mountain at the right time. We can take the cable car or hike to Zhongtianmen (the choice of hiking or cable car depends on your physical strength. You need to reserve time for going down the mountain in advance), and then take the scenic bus to Tianwai Village. The bus is waiting for us there.
After gathering, we will be transferred to Tai'an Hotel for a good rest and dinner at your own leisure.
Day 5 Tai'an → Red Leaf Valley → High Speed Rail Station/Airport
All day
After breakfast at the hotel, we headed to Red Leaf Valley.
Arriving at Red Leaf Valley around 9:00 AM, the mountains and forests are ablaze with crimson, a true reflection of autumn. The scenic area boasts dozens of winding, steep valleys planted with trees like cotinus coggygria. In late autumn, the leaves blanket the mountains, and wandering through them offers a truly captivating glimpse into the poetic beauty of the saying, "Frost leaves are redder than February flowers."
Climb Manye Pagoda for a panoramic view of the crimson foliage covering the mountains. Explore the Autumn Lake, where the crimson leaves are reflected in the water. Enjoy a immersive experience and take plenty of photos. Enjoy lunch at your leisure within the scenic area.
Gather around 12:00 and arrange to be taken to the station/airport.
Note: Return drop-off time and arrangements: Arrive at Jinan West Station (High-speed Railway Station) around 14:00, arrive at Jinan Station (Downtown Station) around 14:30, arrive at Jinan Airport around 15:30 (Please book a flight at 17:30 or later for the return flight). If there are any special circumstances, please contact the tour leader in time for coordination. Please be informed!
