8D TIMELESS SHANDONG: WHISPERS OF CONFUCIUS, SACRED MOUNTAIN & ANCIENT CITIES

Car Transfer: Airport to Hotel

Upon arrival, your guide will meet you and you will be transferred to your hotel.

A City of Springs

Famed across millennia for its watery beauty, Jinan is home to over 70 artesian springs. You will visit Jinan’s most renowned spring, Baotu Spring (趵突泉) which is mentioned in the classic text Spring and Autumn Annals.

Enjoy a walking tour of Furong Street (芙蓉街), the oldest and most prosperous commercial street in Jinan.

Whispers of Ancient Jinan

Led by a museum expert, enjoy a visit to Shandong Museum (山东博物馆) to uncover the natural and historical treasures from the prehistoric Dawenkou and Longshan Cultures, as well as the Qi Lu Culture.

Visit Zhujiayu Ancient Village (朱家峪古村). This well-preserved ancient village from the Ming and Qing dynasties is dubbed as the “Number One Ancient Village of Shangdong.”

Car Transfer: Jinan to Tai An

Drive to your accommodation in Tai An (75km / 1.5 hours) via Mount Tai.

If you would like to experience sunrise on Mount Tai, we can alternatively arrange a stay at the top of Mount Tai, or under the mountain. Please note that the due to its rugged location, rooms at Mount Tai are generally smaller and facilities can be limited.

Sacred Mount Tai

Mount Tai (泰山) is one of China’s most famous sacred mountains, with exceptional historical, cultural, aesthetic and scientific value. You will take a shuttle bus to the Zhongtian Gate, followed by a cable car to the Nantian Gate and a hike up to Jade Emperor Peak (玉皇顶).

Optional Activity 

This evening, you can catch the Mount Tai Fengshan Ceremony（中华泰山·封禅大典), a grand-scale live performance.*

Performance Time: May – October 20:00 – 21:20  (19:30 – 20:50 in October)

*At your own expense

Tai An’s Intangible Cultural Heritage

Visit Dai Temple (岱庙), where emperors of the past dynasties held the Feudal Ceremony and worshipped the god of Taishan. This temple is also home to a precious collection of ancient stone tablets from the Han dynasty. Walk along the Tai An old street. Here, you will watch a shadow puppet show with backstage access (皮影戏与后台参观).

Car Transfer: Tai An to Qufu

Drive to Qufu (80km / 1.5hrs), and transfer to your hotel for the evening. 

Into the Birthplace of Confucius

Today, we will visit the Temple and Cemetery of Confucius and the Kong Family Mansion (孔府、孔庙、孔林), Built to commemorate Confucius in 478 B.C., the temple now comprises more than 100 buildings. The cemetery contains Confucius’ tomb and the remains of more than 100,000 of his descendants. The small house of the Kong family evolved into a gigantic aristocratic residence, of which 152 buildings remain. The Qufu complex of monuments has retained its outstanding historical character thanks to the devotion of successive Chinese emperors for over 2,000 years.

Optional Activity 1: Taste Confucius’ Cuisine 

Experience the rich culinary heritage of Confucian Mansion Cuisine, guided by an inheritor who will share its thousand-year history and evolution. Enjoy a customised dinner showcasing this refined tradition. (Own expense)

Optional Activity 2: Tour with a Descendant

Explore the Temple and Cemetery of Confucius, along with the Kong Family Mansion, led by a descendant of Confucius. 

Car Transfer: Qufu to Qingzhou

Drive to Qingzhou (300km / 3.5 hours)

Ancient Qingzhou

Qingzhou boasts a history of over 5,000 years, making it one of the important birthplaces of Shandong culture. Visit the Qingzhou Museum (青州博物馆), which houses a vast collection of precious cultural relics, most notably the exquisite stone-carved Buddhist statues from Longxing Temple, which date back to the Northern Dynasties period and hold great artistic significance. 

You will also explore Qingzhou Ancient City (青州古城), which features numerous historical sites and cultural attractions. The city retains the architectural style and street layout from the Ming and Qing dynasties, offering a glimpse into its rich historical heritage.

Car Transfer: Qingzhou to Qingdao 

Drive to Qingdao (230km/3 hours)

Qingdao’s City Charms 

Enjoy a city walk in Qingdao, visiting St. Michael’s Church (圣米歇尔教堂), the guqin-shaped Little Qingdao (小青岛), the famous landmark of Qinyu Piaodeng, as well as the trestle bridge (栈桥), a former military dock built at the beginning of modern construction in Qingdao.

Visit Tsingtao Beer Museum (青岛啤酒博物馆) to taste the iconic beer, learn its history and old beer production tools.

Wonders of the Mountains and the Sea 

Head to Mount Lao (崂山), a majestic Taoist mountain dubbed as “No. 1 Mountain on the Sea”. Visit Taiqing Palace (太清宫), which is the oldest and largest Taoist temple in Mount Lao.

Enjoy a stroll around Badaguan (八大关), an atmospheric residential district built by the Germans between 1898 – 1914, and subsequently enhanced during the Japanese era.

Car Transfer: Hotel to Airport

Enjoy the morning at your own leisure before transferring to the airport for your onward journey. 

Car Transfer: Qingdao to Yantai via Penglai

Drive to Penglai (220km / 2.5 hours) for sightseeing, followed by a drive to your accommodation in Yantai (95km / 1.5 hours).

Penglai Pavillion

Penglai Pavilion (蓬莱阁) is one of the four famous ancient towers in China, located on Danya Mountain in the northern part of Penglai City. It was first built during the Song Dynasty and has been renovated in successive dynasties. Renowned for its long history and mythological legends, it is particularly famous for its association with the story of the “Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea.”

Weihai Day Trip

From Yantai, you will be driven to Weihai (70km/ 1hr 15mins). Take a boat to Liugong Island to visit the Sino-Japanese War Museum (甲午海战博物馆), a specialized museum established to commemorate the First Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the charming city of Weihai before driving back to Yantai.

Shandong Red Wine Culture

Shandong is one of the most important wine-producing regions in China, renowned for its rich red wine culture. You will visit the Changyu Wine Culture Museum (张裕酒文化博物馆) with its distinctive underground wine cellar. Built in 1894, this historic cellar houses a large collection of aged oak barrels and wines.

Proceed to the Changyu Chateau (张裕酒庄), one of China’s oldest wineries. The chateau preserves many historical relics, such as ancient winemaking equipment, documents, and photographs, which documents the glorious century-long development of Changyu.

Thereafter, you may enjoy one of the following two activities:

Option 1: Sanxian Mountains (三仙山)

Explore a captivating Taoist-themed attraction featuring majestic pavilions, intricate eaves, and stunning towers designed to evoke the mythical “Three Immortal Mountains.” Immerse yourself in the enchanting atmosphere of ancient legends and spiritual heritage.

Option 2: Haichang Whale Shark Ocean Park (海昌鲸鲨海洋公园)
Discover the wonders of the ocean at this marine science and technology museum, located in Haichang Fisherman’s Wharf. Encounter whale sharks, marvel at mesmerising jellyfish displays, and dive into the mysteries of the deep sea through interactive exhibits.

Car Transfer: Hotel to Airport 

Enjoy leisure time before transferring to the airport for your flight home.