Jinan, Shandong (China, north)
Jinan is the capital of Shandong Province. From the south, the city is bounded by the Taishan Mountains, and from the north by the Yellow River. Jinan is called the “Capital of Springs” due to the 72 thermal springs that gush in its vicinity.
The city has a long history, and, according to Chinese experts, its age is more than 4000 years. The PRC government has given it the status of “City of Ancient Culture and History”. Not far from it, artifacts of the Chinese cultures Xihe (red-brown pottery, 8400-7300 BC) and Longshan (black pottery, 4600-4000 BC) were found. The ruins of the most ancient Chinese city with a total area of 200 km 2 were found here., the remains of mountain terraces and a well from the times of the Wu civilization, the Buddhist temple of Wu, sections of the wall of the periods of the Qin and Qi dynasties, the ancestral temple of the Han era – the oldest building that has survived to our time in China (I century BC).
Mount Taishan (Taishan) rises 1545 m above sea level and 1400 m above the surrounding plain. The history of worship of this mountain has 5000 years. It was also the site of Fengshan ceremonies, during which Chinese rulers performed sacrifices. A large number of stone carvings were found here, including 800 stone tablets and about 1000 inscriptions. Some poems were written by emperors and poets. Taishan’s main cultural attractions are the Daimiao and Bixia mountain temples. The mountain is also known for its rich flora and fauna. The most picturesque places are Yuhuang and Riguan peaks. Check directoryaah for information for travelers in China.
In Ziznan, Daming Lake is located, which is the best recreational area in the province. There are several resorts on its territory.
Qingdao, Shandong (China, north)
Qingdao is a city in Shandong Province. It is located on the southern tip of the Jiaodong Peninsula, on the shores of the Yellow Sea. Qingdao in 1897-1914 was a German colony. Neo-Gothic houses, churches and churches built at the end of the last century testify to the colonial past of Qingdao, which gives the city a special flavor.
The city’s emblem is the Qingdao Dam. Its length is 440 m, width – 8 m. At the end of the dam, a gazebo has been built, from where a beautiful view of the sea and the coastal strip opens. Of the sights of the city, it is worth seeing the MaritimeMuseum with an aquarium in Lusun Park. The park itself is located on a rocky platform that breaks off at the very water, between two wonderful beaches.
Also of interest are the TV tower with a beautiful view of the city and the sea, Zhan Chao pier, zoo, Tsintao brewery. Qingdao brews the best beer in China. They say that it owes its excellent taste to the spring water of mountain springs. Every year Qingdao hosts a grand event – the International Beer Festival. During this festival, large beer producers from many countries of the world present their products at specially equipped stands. The program includes carnival processions, performances by art groups, fashion shows from China, Hong Kong, Japan, Europe. As a rule, this event lasts two weeks, from the end of July to the middle of September.
In Qingdao harbor is the island of Little Qingdao or Lute Island, where many evergreens grow. Here you can find sculptures, underground grottoes, beautiful landscapes, a photo exhibition, a museum of history. The island has a white lighthouse 15.5 m high. It was built in 1900 and serves as the main landmark for ships entering and leaving Jiaozhou Bay. At night, when the lighthouse lights up, light paths appear on the sea and it seems that the island is floating among the lights.
40 km from the city is Mount Laoshan – one of the shrines of China. Densely overgrown with forest, it belongs to the landscape areas of national importance and is a favorite place of pilgrimage for adherents of Taoism. Here you can admire the waterfall and rocks of bizarre shapes, climb along a narrow path to a steep mountain slope from which you can see the sea.
Qingdao is a resort where you can combine relaxation on the beach with health and wellness programs.
