Climb Mount Liang to Experience the Heroic Spirit of Water Margin, Visit the Hometowns of Confucius and Mencius to Feel the Charm of Confucian Culture

Jining City Three Days Two Nights In-Depth Travel Guide (Budget 8000 RMB)
Trip Highlights:

Cultural Feast: Visit the hometowns of Confucius and Mencius, feel the charm of Confucian culture, climb Mount Liang, and experience the heroic spirit of Water Margin.
Natural Scenery: Stroll around Weishan Lake, enjoy the wetland beauty, and experience the charm of the Grand Canal.
Food Experience: Taste authentic Jining snacks and savor the flavors of Shandong cuisine.

Itinerary:
Day 1: Hometown of Confucius – Qufu

Morning: Arrive in Qufu, check into the hotel (Recommended: Shangri-La Hotel Qufu, about 1000 RMB/night).
Afternoon: Visit the Confucius Temple (80 RMB ticket), Confucius Mansion (60 RMB ticket), and Confucius Forest (40 RMB ticket) to feel the depth of Confucian culture.
Evening: Taste Qufu specialty dishes such as the Confucius Mansion Banquet (about 200 RMB per person), smoked tofu, etc., and take a night tour of the Ming Ancient City (free).

Day 2: Hometown of Mencius – Zoucheng & Water Margin Site – Mount Liang

Morning: Head to Zoucheng, visit the Mencius Temple (40 RMB ticket) and Mencius Mansion (30 RMB ticket) to learn about Mencius’s thoughts.
Afternoon: Drive to Mount Liang, tour the Mount Liang Scenic Area (100 RMB ticket), experience Water Margin culture, and enjoy the scenery of Water Margin Marsh.
Evening: Return to Jining city center, check into the hotel (Recommended: Wanda Realm Jining, about 800 RMB/night), and taste local snacks such as Jining stuffed pancakes and braised pork with rice (about 50 RMB per person).

Day 3: Weishan Lake & Return

Morning: Visit Weishan Lake Wetland Park (80 RMB ticket), take a boat tour to enjoy the lake and mountain scenery, admire lotus flowers, and experience fishing village customs.
Afternoon: Depending on your return schedule, you can visit the Jining Museum (free) or Taibai Tower (20 RMB ticket) to learn about Jining’s history and culture.
Evening: End the trip and return.

Budget Breakdown:

Accommodation: 2000 RMB (2 nights)
Transportation: 1500 RMB (including high-speed rail/flight and local transport)
Tickets: 450 RMB
Meals: 1500 RMB
Others: 500 RMB (shopping, souvenirs, etc.)

Travel Tips:

Jining’s climate is pleasant in spring and autumn, the best seasons for travel.
The Three Confucian Sites in Qufu cover a large area; comfortable shoes are recommended.
Please pay attention to safety on Weishan Lake boat tours and keep your belongings secure.
Jining offers many local specialty snacks; be sure to try them.

Optional Itinerary Adjustments:

If time permits, you can add Bao Xiang Temple in Wenshang and Xinglong Cultural Park in Yanzhou.
If interested in canal culture, you can visit Nanyang Ancient Town.

Wishing you a pleasant holiday in Jining!