Day 1 → → → Check in to designated hotel in Jinan ★ All-day meeting day
All day
Tourists from all over the world can arrive in Jinan by plane or train and check into designated hotels. If you have more time, you can freely explore the beauty of the Spring City. You can visit Spring City Square to marvel at the dancing lights, visit the Shandong Provincial Museum to learn about the history we're about to delve into, and even enjoy a meal to quickly immerse yourself in the city.
The renowned Baotu Spring and the "Summer Rain Lotus" of Daming Lake will be left for us to experience together tomorrow. This old city, a blend of mountains, springs, rivers, and lakes, still evokes the richness described by Lao She.
During your free time, please be careful and stay safe! In the evening, your team leader will confirm the next day's itinerary and schedule with you.
Day 2 Jinan → Baotu Spring → Qushuiting Street/Daming Lake → Tai'an
·morning
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, then drive to Baotu Spring. With its three grottoes emanating simultaneously, the sound resembling hidden thunder makes it the most famous of Jinan's 72 famous springs. Baotu Spring, Jinxian Spring, and Shuyu Spring... the waters dance on the strings of time, playing a vibrant melody that resonates wherever it touches the city. Baotu Spring Park is a natural landscape park that incorporates the characteristics of Jiangnan gardens.
Afterward, embark on a street-shopping adventure, exploring Qushuiting Street, a lane embodying the essence of Jinan life. Today, Qushuiting Street retains the unmistakable image of the Spring City described in "The Travels of Lao Can," where "every home has a spring, every house has weeping willows." To experience authentic Jinan life, a visit to Qushuiting Street is a must. Stroll along the bluestone pavement, marvel at the whitewashed walls and gray tiles, the flowing water under small bridges, and the shady willow trees.
Besides Qushuiting Street, more off-the-beaten-path attractions include
Gulubazi Street. This old street's curving shape closely resembles the handle of a water-drawing well, hence its name.
Donghuaqiangzi Street, while not as popular as Furong Street and Qushuixiang Street, is still a significant location for Jinan residents.
Wangfu Pond, Qifeng Bridge, and Xigengdao Street offer a vibrant mix of cultural attractions and popular photo spots.
·afternoon
Enjoy lunch at your leisure in the alleyways. Afterward, explore Daming Lake, where the scenery is captivatingly described as "lotuses on four sides, willows on three sides, half of the city covered in mountains and half by lake." Over 30 scenic spots and historical sites, including the Lixia Pavilion, Tiegong Temple, Beiji Temple, and Nanfeng Temple, showcase its rich history and culture.
Afterward, travel by car to Tai'an (approximately 1.5-2 hours) to enjoy the Taishan Shadow Play, a World Cultural Heritage site known as "Ten Uninterrupted Activities." After dinner, check into your hotel.
Day 3 Taishan Full Day
All day
After breakfast, we'll depart for Mount Tai, the highest of the Five Great Mountains (approximately 7 hours), a World Heritage Site. Mount Tai is no longer simply a scenic spot, but a symbol of the Chinese nation.
From Tianwai Village, take the scenic shuttle bus to Zhongtianmen. Then, walk past Yunbu Bridge, the Welcoming Pine, and the Eighteen Bends (a cable car is available for 100 yuan one-way, 200 yuan round-trip, at your own expense) to reach the Daiding Scenic Area. Visit Nantianmen and stroll along Tianjie Street. Then, visit the Bixia Temple, a model of alpine architecture. Explore the magnificent Daguan Peak, a masterpiece of grandeur, and admire the calligraphy and inscriptions of emperors and generals from past dynasties. See the iconic stone inscription "Most Respected of the Five Great Mountains." Then, ascend to Yuhuangding, the summit of Mount Tai, and experience the exhilarating feeling of "ascending to the summit, overlooking all other mountains."
Experience activities: The thousand-year-old Bixia Temple, a place of prayer for generations, has been visited by over a hundred emperors. It is the spiritual home of the Chinese people and a symbol of the nation. Since ancient times, there has been a saying that climbing Mount Tai will ensure safety. This place is the chairman unit of the China Taoist Association, and it is very popular and the wishes are effective. We have specially arranged a prayer experience for you to make a good wish.
Prayer ceremony:
Burn incense and make a wish for your family's health and safety.
Circumambulate the incense pavilion and pray for longevity and good fortune .
Present a blessing belt and return home with the blessing
. Return to Zhongtianmen by the same route and take a scenic bus to Tianwai Village. After dinner, check in to the hotel and enjoy your own meal.
Day 4 Tai'an → Qufu → Qingdao
·morning
After breakfast, depart for Qufu (approximately 1.5 hours). Qufu is the only city in the world known as the "Holy City of the East," the cradle of Chinese culture spanning over two thousand years. It's a spiritual destination for leaders and celebrities worldwide. Which city truly deserves this honor?
Do you know about Confucius's arduous life? Are all people with the surname Kong a descendant of Confucius? Did you know there are three things about the Confucius Cemetery that shouldn't be buried? Your guide will explain each of these:
Visit the Three Confucius Temples of Qufu.
The Confucius Temple, considered one of China's three great ancient architectural complexes alongside the Forbidden City in Beijing and the Mountain Resort in Chengde, is dedicated to Confucius, a renowned ancient Chinese thinker and educator. It boasts nine courtyards and a three-way layout.
The Confucius Mansion, the long-time residence of Confucius' direct descendants, is a classic example of the integration of official residence and inner residence in Chinese feudal society. Experience the luxurious lifestyle of Confucius' descendants and the rich folk customs of southern Shandong.
[Konglin] is the exclusive cemetery for Confucius and his family. It is a well-preserved clan tomb complex and artificial garden, with thousands of acres of woodland, making one sigh that time flies by.
·afternoon
In the afternoon, we'll depart from Qufu for Qingdao by bus. Upon arrival, we'll check into our hotel and enjoy free time at
leisure .
There's no group itinerary, so you'll be free to arrange your own activities. Sightseeing spots are only recommended and do not include entrance fees, transportation, or guide fees.
Recommended: 1. Taidong Pedestrian Street
: Qingdao's renowned pedestrian street, known as the city's answer to Wangfujing. As dusk falls, the night market opens, and the street vendor economy
becomes particularly bustling. Qingdao's nightlife begins here, and you won't
leave until you've had a few seafood and a few beers! Recommended: 2. May Fourth Square Light Show: As night falls, the city lights illuminate, leaving behind the bustle of the day and bathing in the tranquility of the night. The vibrant lights illuminate the island city, and the dazzling nightscape showcases the city's charm.
Recommended: 3. Yingkou Road Seafood Stalls
: Yingkou Road is a delicious place to enjoy! Who says Qingdao tourism is unreliable? Enjoy delicious seafood and drinks! When it comes to affordable seafood and beer in Qingdao, Yingkou Road is the place to go. No need to worry about the cost of processing imported materials.
Day 5 Qingdao City Tour → Weihai
·morning
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel in the morning and visit the Pier (approximately 40 minutes). Stroll along the iconic Qingdao pier, known as "a long rainbow stretching across the water, a towering pavilion swirling across the waves." Built during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty, the pier boasts a century of history. At the end, you'll see the Huilan Pavilion, the Tsingtao Beer logo. The pier resembles a long rainbow resting on the waves, while the Huilan Pavilion shimmers brilliantly. Feed the seagulls and make close friends with the animals!
Visit the Qingdao Catholic Church (exterior), originally named St. Michael's Church. This place is a real test of your photography skills! With good photography skills, you can capture the feeling of a European street scene!
Visit Signal Hill Park. Located in the heart of Qingdao, Signal Hill Park is named after the signal tower once built atop its peak to guide ships. Standing 98 meters above sea level, the three red-roofed mushroom-shaped buildings at the summit are particularly striking. [Red tiles, green trees, and yellow walls are a perfect photo spot. Enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of Qingdao from above.]
Visit the Qingdao German Governor's Mansion Museum (Guide's Guided Tour)
. The colorful exterior of the Guest House is perfect for photos. The Governor's Building is a German castle-style building with a palace-style wooden structure. The interior furnishings can still be seen today. The Governor's Building is located on the southern foot of Signal Hill and is currently a high-level reception hotel in Qingdao.
·afternoon
After lunch, enjoy a stroll through Badaguan (Huashilou and Princess Tower, 60 minutes of guided tours). Named one of China's five most beautiful urban areas by National Geographic, Badaguan boasts villas in over 20 architectural styles, including those from Russia, Britain, France, Germany, and Malaysia, earning it the nickname "The World Architecture Expo." The unique architectural style of the Huashilou within the area is a must-see.
Badaguan is a renowned and beautiful street in Qingdao, home to a collection of international architecture. It blends parks and courtyards, lush with trees and blooming flowers year-round. Over 200 unique and exotic villas nestle amidst the flowers and trees, making it a perfect spot for capturing exotic international films.
Afterward, visit Qingdao's Second Bathing Beach. The beach is clean, the sand is fine and soft, and children will find the sand and water a playful playground, allowing them to play endlessly without eating or sleeping.
Gather at the appropriate time and depart for Weihai city for check-in.
Day 6 Weihai → Liugong Island → Torch 8th Street → Yantai
·morning
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel in the morning and visit Liugong Island with a 2-hour guided tour of the Dingyuan Warship.
Known as the "Fairy Mountain on the Sea" and a "Peach Blossom Land," Liugong Island was the site of numerous naval battles from the Ming and Qing dynasties to the pre-Liberation period, particularly the First Sino-Japanese War, which left a profound historical imprint. Explore sites dating back thousands of years to the Warring States Period, including the Beiyang Navy's Admiralty Office, the Naval Academy, and ancient artillery forts from the First Sino-Japanese War.
Visit the Dingyuan Warship, Asia's first full-scale replica of a Qing Dynasty warship. As a natural barrier to Weihai's maritime defenses, it held a crucial role in national defense, earning it the nicknames "Eastern Screen" and "Unsinkable Battleship."
·afternoon
After lunch, visit the Gate of Happiness (not the summit) and the Wanfutu sculpture. The Gate of Happiness symbolizes Weihai's modernity, openness, and development, and is a landmark. A raised circular wrought-bronze structure, called the Wanfutu, is located on the ground. Five circles of the Chinese character "Fu" (meaning "blessings") are arranged, symbolizing the arrival of five blessings and the sharing of all five. Stepping on the Wanfutu will bring happiness to yourself and your loved ones.
Checking in at Torch Street 8 is a fact of life in Weihai, a city surrounded by the sea on three sides. While marine elements are common, charming seaside
streets are rare. Torch Street 8 bears a striking resemblance to classic scenes from the anime "Slam Dunk," reminiscent of the streets of Kamakura, Japan,
earning it the nickname "Weihai's Little Kamakura."
After the event, we drove to Yantai and checked into our hotel.
Day 7 → Penglai Pavilion → Yantai Golden Beach → Drop off
·morning
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel this morning before traveling by car to the scenic area for a tour of Penglai Pavilion. As the saying goes, "A mountain's fame lies not in its height, but in the presence of immortals." While the "Penglai Wonderland" is captivating, a visit to Penglai without a visit to Penglai Pavilion would be a complete waste. Penglai Pavilion has long been admired, boasting the ancient legend of the "Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea" and the rare spectacle of a mirage.
·afternoon
After lunch, we'll arrive at Yantai Golden Beach Seaside Park and visit the Tianma Pier, the Lonely Whale, the Love Yantai Auditorium, and Housha Square. Many popular attractions are gathered here, so take photos and check in to share your beautiful moments on social media.
The tour ends around 2:00 PM and we'll be transferred to Penglai Airport or Yantai Station or Yantai South Station. (Please arrange your return tickets appropriately. Please book your flight tickets at least 3 hours later and your train tickets at least 2 hours later.)
