Qingzhou Ancient Town Slow Travel Guide: High-speed Rail Direct Access, Free Admission, Three Days and Two Nights to Taste Century-old Snacks!

🔹Must-See Before You Go】
📍 Location: Qingzhou City, Weifang, Shandong Province (High-speed rail to Qingzhou Station, 15-minute taxi to the ancient city)
🎫 Tickets: Ancient city free all day! Ouyuan/Fucai Gate small attractions 18-30 RMB
🌤 Best Season:
🍃 Most comfortable in spring and autumn (April-May rose sea / September-October chrysanthemum exhibition)
☀️ Summer nights in the ancient city are super cool, Huanghua Creek is perfect for summer heat relief
❄️ Winter has fewer people and beautiful snow scenes, perfect for photos!
👟 Dressing tip: Stone slab roads + big temperature difference = comfortable shoes + thin jacket essential

【🚄 Transportation Guide】
🔸 Main Transport:
- High-speed rail: Jinan/Qingdao → Qingzhou Station (40-60 minutes; fastest from Beijing 2h10min direct)
- Plane: Jinan Yaoqiang Airport → transfer to airport bus 2h direct
🔸 Local Transport:
🚶 Inside ancient city: walking + special rickshaw (10-15 RMB per ride at night, remember to bargain first!)
🚗 Nearby tours: Yunmen Mountain/Huanghua Creek recommended by taxi (30-40 minutes one way) or charter for more freedom

【🌟7 Must-Visit Spots】
1️⃣ Fucai Gate City Tower
📍 South gate of the ancient city | Climb for panoramic view | Night view with red lanterns is stunning
2️⃣ Ouyuan (Prince Heng’s Garden)
🎫 30 RMB | Rare Kangxi-era garden in the north | Hanfu photoshoot is a must!
3️⃣ Zhaode Ancient Street
🍳 Old Locust Tree fried buns + handmade copperware | Immersive Hui ethnic experience
4️⃣ Qingzhou Museum (closed on Mondays)
🏆 The only county-level national first-class museum in China | The Buddha statue at Longxing Temple amazed me!
5️⃣ Yunmen Mountain
⛰️ "Longevity" cliff carving check-in | 40-minute hike to the top overlooking the city
6️⃣ Jingtang Ancient Village
🎫 40 RMB | Filming location of "Red Sorghum" | Stone houses + freshly ground tofu pudding
7️⃣ Huanghua Creek
💦 Northern Jiuzhaigou! Waterfalls + glass plank road | Cool hiking 2-3 hours

【📅 3 Days 2 Nights Itinerary】
DAY1️⃣ Cultural Marathon Mode
07:30 🚄 Arrive → Fucai Gate 📸 → Ouyuan Street Old Locust Tree fried buns
10:00 Hanfu photoshoot at Ouyuan → Lunch at Old Street Impression for Nine-Turn Intestines
14:00 Museum to see top scholar scroll → Fangong Pavilion to chase sunset 🌇
19:00 Night tour of intangible cultural heritage stalls + red lanterns 🏮

DAY2️⃣ Mountain and Water Healing
08:30 Yunmen Mountain to admire "Longevity" → Jingtang Ancient Village for farmhouse meal
14:00 Huanghua Creek glass plank road scream → Late-night snack at Songcheng Chaotian Pot 🌯

DAY3️⃣ Artistic Finale Day
🌵 Flower Center for Instagram-style photos → Ancient city sugar painting workshop experience
🛍️ Buy honey knife pastries at Longsheng Pastry → Satisfied return trip!

【😋 Food Highlights】
🍜 Breakfast star: Old Locust Tree fried buns (beef filling + tofu pudding ¥8)
🍯 Snack king: Longsheng Pastry Main Store (Honey Knife yyds ¥15)
🍲 Must-eat main meal: Old Street Impression (Nine-Turn Intestines‼️ Avg ¥60)
🌯 Night snack highlight: Songcheng Night Market Chaotian Pot wrap (¥12 fills you up)
🐑 Hardcore recommendation: Miaozizhen Whole Lamb Feast (4+ people set meal rush!)

【🏨 Accommodation Guide】
💯 Top choice inside ancient city:
- Jianguo Puyin (window view)
- Huaxi Hotel (amazing night view)
💰 Best value: Home Inn Business Ancient City Branch (¥200+ includes parking)
👨👩👧 Family-friendly:
- Zijing Hotel family room
- Jiulongyu RV Campground (starry sky experience✨)

【💡 Hard-earned Tips】
⚠️ Museum/Ouyuan closed on Mondays! Book in advance on holidays
🧳 Stone slab roads discourage suitcases! Recommend backpack or luggage storage
📸 Best light at Flower Center in the morning (avoid noon)
🚗 Compare prices for chartering around (taxi about ¥50 one way)

💬 Follow this guide and conquer all the delicious food and beautiful scenery of Qingzhou Ancient Town!