Day 1 Check in at designated hotel in Jinan★All day meeting day
All day
Travelers from all over the world can fly or train to Jinan and check into your designated hotel. If you have more time, you can freely explore the beauty of the Spring City. You can visit Quancheng Square to feel the dancing lights, visit the Shandong Provincial Museum to learn about the history we are about to delve into, and even comfort yourself with food to quickly immerse yourself in the city.
The world-famous Baotu Spring and the "Summer Rain Lotus" in Daming Lake will be left for us to experience together tomorrow. This old city, which is a gathering place of mountains, springs, rivers and lakes, can still be found in the richness described by Mr. 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 Baotu Spring → Daming Lake → Shandong Museum → Qingzhou Ancient City
·morning
After breakfast at the hotel at 8:00, we will depart for Baotu Spring (5A), one of the three major scenic spots in Jinan, and recall the travel notes written by Lao She in our textbooks during our school days.
Standing on the bridge outside the West Gate, you'll see a stream of fresh, shallow water flowing from south to north. This is the water from Baotu Spring. Without this spring, Jinan would lose half its beauty.
Strolling along the edge of the spring, as the explanation deepens, you will not miss any of the beautiful sights, such as Shangzhi Academy, Jinxian Spring, Li Qingzhao Memorial Hall, Shuyu Spring, and Wanzhu Garden.
Depart for Daming Lake at 10:00. “Lotus flowers on four sides, willows on three sides, one city with mountains and half of the city with lakes” is the best description of its scenery.
Among the eight scenic spots in Jinan, Daming Lake accounts for four of them, which shows how popular Daming Lake is in Jinan.
We will take a boat trip on the moat, with the clear water lapping against the banks.
Walking in the lake allows you to experience the poetic and picturesque scenery of Jinan.
In addition to enjoying the scenery and strolling around, reading "Winter in Jinan" engraved on the wall of the Lao She Memorial Hall by the lake is another kind of dialogue between time and space, evoking childhood memories.
·afternoon
Our trip to the Shandong Museum began at 13:00. As the explanation deepened, the ten treasures of the museum were displayed in front of us one by one, from the large jade bi of the State of Lu to the cicada-crowned Bodhisattva statue of the Eastern Wei Dynasty, to the nine-feathered crown of King Lu Huang of the Ming Dynasty... There are many treasures in the Shandong Museum, through which we can feel the vicissitudes of life, historical events, and cultural interests of this land.
Confucian culture, Dawenkou culture, Longshan culture...all converge here, radiant as stars. After the unification of the Qin and Han dynasties, Chinese history became the history of Shandong. A glimpse of the whole reveals a glimpse of the whole: the Shandong Museum offers a glimpse of China.
The special exhibition "Rites of the East - The Essence of Ancient Shandong Civilization" is now on display. Let us step into this magnificent scene of civilization spanning thousands of years.
Another way:
I was at Lubo Restoration: I could observe the restorers at work up close in their studios, each with their own division of labor, as they focused on their daily tasks, such as photographing and archiving artifacts, scanning information, cleaning and maintaining them. In the silence, I admired each priceless treasure protected and restored by their hands.
·night
The tour concludes at 4:30 PM and we'll travel to Qingzhou (a two-hour drive) for overnight stay and dinner. The ancient city of Qingzhou, one of the ancient Nine Provinces, boasts a 7,000-year history of development, 5,000 years of civilization, and twelve years of glory as the capital. A well-preserved example of a Ming and Qing dynasty city, its integrated landscape and waterscape are rare both domestically and internationally, and its mysteries and details are worth savoring. A nighttime tour of Qingzhou offers a truly unique experience, with fireworks blazing across the city under a starry sky. All the beauty of Qingzhou is truly breathtaking, with dazzling fireworks and a dazzling display of lights.
Day 3 Qingzhou Museum → Tuoshan Grottoes → Tai'an
·morning
After breakfast at 8:30, we started our tour of Qingzhou Museum. Although Qingzhou Museum is a county-level city museum, it is a "National First-Class Museum" and is one of the few county-level museums in the country.
In addition to its many treasures, the museum's entire fourth floor is dedicated to the Buddha statues unearthed from Longxing Temple. The sheer number and variety of these statues have caused a sensation around the world.
From the Northern Wei Dynasty to the Northern Qi Dynasty, the Buddha statues changed from thin to round, but the smile hanging on the corners of the Buddha's mouth remained unchanged. It is called "the most beautiful oriental smile" and also known as "Qingzhou smile".
Let the professional tour guide lead you through the past and present and experience the charm of ancient Qingzhou!
Another way:
Participate in museum study courses: rubbings, leather carving, incense art, lacquer art, printmaking, ceramics (kite painting, Qingbo cultural relics graffiti)
·afternoon
After lunch at 12:30 PM, we'll travel by bus to Tuoshan Grottoes, the largest and best-preserved grotto sculpture complex in eastern China. Constructed between the Northern Zhou Dynasty and the heyday of the Tang Dynasty, it incorporates the characteristics of three different periods. In 1988, it was designated a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit (NCHR). The main peak boasts five grottoes and a cliff sculpture complex with 638 statues. At the summit, the Haotian Palace is the oldest remaining Taoist temple in Qingzhou.
Tour sequence: Scenic area gate - Buddha worship platform - Tuoshan Stele - Wangyun Pavilion - Buddha worship platform - Tuoshan Grottoes - Ladder to Heaven - South Gate of Heaven (mountaintop) - Jade Emperor Hall - Mountain God Temple - Descend the mountain (tour duration 3 hours)
Another way:
More recommendations from Qingzhou
Longxing Temple: Built during the Northern Wei Dynasty, it served as a first-class imperial temple during the Tang and Song dynasties. It was destroyed in the early Ming Dynasty. Standing for over 800 years, it was one of the most renowned temples in China at the time. Located at the foot of Tuoshan Mountain, it is one of Qingzhou's top ten tourist attractions.
Yunmen Mountain: Not far from Tuoshan Grottoes, it is also a good place to view grottoes. Yunmen Mountain has been favored by Buddhism and Taoism as early as the Sui, Tang and Song dynasties. There are five Sui and Tang grottoes and 272 stone Buddhas on the mountain.
Jingtang Ancient Village: A 600-year-old village
Qingzhou Never Sleeps City: Night market, snacks and performances, lights on at 18:00
·night
At 15:30, we will end our tour by bus to Tai'an (2.5 hours drive) where we will check in and have dinner. In the evening, we will enjoy the Taishan Shadow Play, a traditional opera from Tai'an City, Shandong Province, which is one of the intangible cultural heritages.
Taishan shadow puppetry, a prominent representative of Shandong shadow puppetry, originated in the Qing Dynasty and boasts a rich variety of vocal styles. It not only inherits the "Mo tune" of early Shandong shadow puppetry but also draws on other popular Tai'an folk opera styles, forming a unique vocal system. Taishan shadow puppetry is a typical oral folk art form, performed without a script; actors rely entirely on memory. Its repertoire is extensive, particularly exemplified by the "Taishan Shi Gan Dang" series.
Day 4 Tai'an all day
All day
Today we will spend the whole day in Mount Tai (5A). We will depart after breakfast at the hotel at 8:00. The itinerary is as follows
Arrived at Tianwai Village at 8:30 and arranged a bus ride up the mountain from the entrance of Tianwai Village:
Tianwai Village - Zhongtianmen; about 30 minutes by scenic bus (fee included)
Zhongtianmen-Nantianmen; choose by yourself:
1. Walk (about 2 hours), passing by: Yunbu Bridge, Wudafu Pine, Wangren Pine, Eighteen Bends, Shengxianfang
2. Or take the cable car (about 15 minutes, one-way 100 yuan/person, at your own expense) to overlook the panoramic view of Mount Tai from a high altitude
Mountaintop: Nantianmen - Tianjie - Bixia Temple - Riguan Peak - Yuhuangding; walking tour with explanation for about 2 hours
After the end, you can go down the mountain by the same route or by cable car;
Zhongtianmen - Tianwai Village: about 30 minutes by scenic bus (fee included)
After your visit to Mount Tai, you'll travel by car to the Dai Temple, a quintessential ancient architectural complex that combines imperial grandeur with a touch of folk charm. It's considered one of China's four great ancient architectural complexes, along with the Forbidden City in Beijing, the Three Confucius Temples in Qufu, Shandong, and the Mountain Resort in Chengde. Today, the majestic palaces are well-preserved, and visitors can admire massive Song Dynasty murals and numerous ancient inscriptions. Every brick and tile of the Dai Temple tells a story stretching back thousands of years.
Another way:
Rubbing experience: The Dai Temple Scenic Area regularly organizes rubbing experience activities. The activity is divided into four parts: visiting the exhibition hall to learn about rubbings, watching PPT to understand rubbings, explaining the use of demonstration teaching, and hands-on practice of making rubbings.
·night
After dinner, we will watch a magnificent and breathtaking live performance, "The Fengshan Ceremony of Mount Tai, China," at the foot of Tianzhu Peak, east of Mount Tai. Using the historical context of emperors from the Qin, Han, Tang, Song, and Qing dynasties ascending the mountain to perform Fengshan ceremonies, the performance showcases the chaos of ancient times, the iron cavalry of the Qin dynasty, the Confucian music of the Han dynasty, the international tributes of the Tang dynasty, the artistic spirit of the Northern Song dynasty, and the ethnic integration of the Qing dynasty.
Note: The performance time is 19:30-20:50 (the time may be adjusted, please refer to the notice on the day)
Day 5 Tai'an → Three Confucius Temples Scenic Area → Confucius Museum
·morning
8:00 Depart for Qufu after breakfast (1.5 hours drive)
morning
Throughout the day today, we will learn about Confucius in detail, starting with the Three Confucius Temples (5A).
First stop: the Confucius Temple. Its importance to Qufu is comparable to that of the Forbidden City to Beijing. The temple complex comprises nine courtyards, centered on a north-south axis, divided into three sections: left, center, and right. The complex stretches 630 meters long and 140 meters wide. It boasts over 460 halls, rooms, altars, and pavilions, 54 gatehouses, and 13 "Imperial Stele Pavilions." The complex encompasses over 100 buildings and 460 rooms, covering an area of approximately 95,000 square meters.
The second stop is the Confucius Mansion. If the Confucius Temple is full of the solemn atmosphere of worshiping saints, then the Confucius Mansion just across the wall has a more lively atmosphere.
Another way:
City Gate Opening Ceremony: Starting at 8:00 every day, the ceremony is divided into three chapters: the auspicious morning bell, welcoming guests with music and dance, and guests entering the city. Props such as flutes, palace lanterns, and scrolls are used to perform dances such as Yi dance, welcoming dance, water sleeve dance, and scroll dance. This ceremony integrates traditional Chinese etiquette and culture, and is solemn, grand, and magnificent.
Confucius Memorial Performance: Confucius Memorial Performances are held daily at 11:00 AM in the Dacheng Hall of the Confucius Temple in Qufu. The Confucius Memorial Ceremony, once known as the "Grand Ceremony of the State," is now a representative item of intangible cultural heritage. The daily Confucius Memorial Performances are a condensed version of the Confucius Memorial Ceremony, featuring a grand spectacle and harmonious blend of ritual and music. This performance, spanning the centuries, recreates the splendor of Chinese ritual culture.
·afternoon
After lunch, we continued to visit the Konglin. There are many different legends about Konglin. There are too many stories and too many details to be felt.
We will invite local professional guides to lead us to understand the "Three Confucius Temples". Here, we will trace the origins of Confucianism and feel the thousand-year accumulation of Chinese culture.
After the Three Columns tour around 3:00 PM, we'll travel to the Confucius Museum. A strategically designed circulation system will guide you through five exhibition units, showcasing diverse exhibition techniques, clear layouts, and interactive displays of artifacts and sculptures. At the Confucius Museum, witness the guiding star of thought, breaking through the darkness like the dawn, becoming the shining light of our times.
Another way:
Themed performance of the Book of Songs: The Book of Songs, which was played 2,000 years ago, is played here. The sound of Huangzhong and Dalu resonates through the trees, allowing you to experience the beauty of the thousand-year-old elegant music (advance reservation required)
"Recite the Analects and get a free visit to the Three Kongs": Go to the Cultural and Creative Experience Center of the Confucius Museum and participate in the "Recite the Analects and get a free visit to the Three Kongs". Answer the computer questions to get a certificate, which will allow you to visit the Confucius Temple, Confucius Mansion, and Confucius Forest Scenic Area for free once within one year, allowing culture to permeate people's hearts.
·night
At 16:30, we will finish our visit today and arrange our accommodation. At night, we can freely experience the night view of Qufu Ancient City, enjoy the light show of the ancient city, and stroll around the bustling Drum Tower Street. At this moment, we will have the feeling of traveling through time and space.
Day 6 Qufu → Tengzhou → Taierzhuang
·morning
After breakfast at 8:30, we will drive to Nishan Sacred Land. To understand the world of Confucius, we can visit the Gallery of Seventy-two Sages, where you can travel back in time over 2,500 years, listen to the wisdom of sages, and converse with timeless classics.
If you want to understand the world of Confucius, you can come to the Wisdom Hall of the University Hall to feel the discussion between Confucius and Lao Tzu and decipher the wisdom of the ages.
If you want to understand the world of Confucius, you can come and watch the "Golden Voice and Jade Sound" ritual and music festival, which will take you into the thousand-year ritual and music picture scroll of China and let you experience the process of going from ordinary to holy.
The ancient music performance is free to watch, and the hand-copied Analects is also a classic Confucian experience activity. You can experience the Analects and experience Confucian culture in multiple dimensions.
·afternoon
After lunch at 12:00 PM, depart for the Tengzhou One Pagoda and Six Museums (a 1.5-hour drive). This "One Pagoda and Six Museums" complex includes the 1,300-year-old Longquan Pagoda, the Mozi Memorial Hall, the Lu Ban Memorial Hall, the Wang Xuezhong Art Museum, the Han Dynasty Stone Reliefs Hall, the Inkstone Hall, and the new Tengzhou Museum. The Tengzhou Museum and the Han Dynasty Stone Reliefs Hall are both designated National First-Class Museums, making Tengzhou the first county-level city in China to boast two National First-Class Museums.
·night
After the tour, we'll depart for Taierzhuang Ancient City (a 1.5-hour drive). As dusk falls, we'll enjoy the city's nightscape and fully experience the bustling atmosphere of a vibrant market town: "merchants bustling, fishing boats blaring, singing echoing through the river, and a market that never closes." Taierzhuang's buildings, illuminated by colorful neon lights, stand out strikingly. The flowing waters of the small bridges and the towering red lanterns create a sense of paradise, a place where time and space intertwine and immerse in the swaying waters of the ancient city. Here, time and space intersect, a vibrant fusion of classic and modern, tranquility and wildness. It's said that Taierzhuang Canal Ancient City boasts over 6,000 lamps and 800 red lanterns. When you're tired of admiring the sights, you can drift off to sleep amidst the night's shimmering waters.
Another way:
Night Tour of Mount Ni: In addition to the daytime experience, there's also a fireworks and drone show. Hundreds of drones, against the starry sky, create stunning visuals of a phoenix dancing on Mount Ni, mountains and rivers, chime bells, a tour of the nations, and scrolls from the Analects of Confucius. The interweaving of light, shadow, and water displays with dazzling fireworks creates an immersive new world filled with surprise and charm.
7th Tiantaierzhuang/Jinan disbanded
All day
This morning, we'll explore Taierzhuang, an ancient city steeped in history. Let's explore the city and hear stories from thousands of years ago. Taierzhuang boasts a quaint elegance and rich history. You can visit World War II ruins and experience the unyielding spirit of the Chinese nation. You can carefully contemplate this living canal and experience the unique blend of north and south, and East and West, along this "water and land wharf" along the Thousand Mile Canal. We'll also have free time to dine in the ancient city and savor local specialties (such as Huanghua beef noodles, Zaozhuang spicy tofu, Fengjia donkey meat, canal stone pancakes, Zaozhuang spicy chicken, and Zaozhuang mutton soup).
Reserve some free time. If you feel tired, you can choose to take a boat tour around the city and experience the unique beauty of the ancient oriental water city in a different way.
Another way:
Tie-dyeing: Anciently known as "zha hua," "jiao hua," "jia hua," and "ran hua," tie-dyeing is listed as a national intangible cultural heritage. It primarily uses pigments extracted from natural plants, flowers, grasses, and trees as dyes, making it very environmentally and human-friendly. Here, you can not only admire vibrant tie-dye artwork but also experience the craft firsthand.
Lu Ban Lock Craftsmanship Experience Hall: The Lu Ban Lock, also known as the "Eight Diagrams Lock," is a traditional Chinese structural fastener for civil engineering. It originated from the mortise and tenon joint mechanism, a pioneering feature in Chinese architecture. Legend has it that it was invented by Gongshu Ban of Lu during the Spring and Autumn Period, marking a 2,500-year history. Many buildings within the ancient city of Taierzhuang utilize the mortise and tenon structure of the Lu Ban Lock.
·afternoon
The return trip will be around 13:00. Generally, we will arrive at Zaozhuang Station around 14:30 and at Jinan West Station around 17:30. Please choose the location of the group's departure based on your own circumstances.
