A Winter Adventure in Shandong: A Journey Filled with Beauty and Culture
Introduction
Shandong, a province in eastern China, is a land of diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage. From the islands of Weihai to the waters of Zaozhuang, the mountains of Tai’an, the sanctity of Qufu, the seas of Qingdao, to the springs of Jinan, each city in Shandong has its own unique charm. The beauty of Shandong lies not only in its stunning scenery but also in its long – standing history and profound culture.
My friends have always told me that winter in Shandong has a special kind of beauty. The reputation of “Hospitable Shandong” and the warmth of the locals piqued my curiosity about a winter trip to this province. By chance, our journey coincided with the heaviest snowfall in recent years in Shandong, which added extra fun and beauty to our entire itinerary. So, how beautiful is Shandong in winter? Come with me and explore these heart – warming cities.
Itinerary
Day 1: Shanghai → Weihai → Tianmu Hot Spring → Weihai Tianmu Hot Spring Resort
We gathered at the well – known Tianmu Hot Spring in Weihai. Stepping off the plane, we were greeted by the cold and a snowy landscape, which was a pleasant surprise, especially for those of us from the south. The snow, even just ankle – deep, made us excited. Little did we know that this was just the beginning, as the following days would bring blizzards rarely seen by locals.
The drive from the airport to the hot spring hotel was about 30 kilometers, taking around half an hour. After checking in, we went to the outdoor hot spring pools. The Weihai Wendeng Tianmu Hot Spring Resort, a five – star resort invested by Zhuhai Tianmu Group, often receives tourists from home and abroad. With a variety of 66 functional hot spring pools, including fish therapy, herbal medicine, beauty, and SPA, it is a paradise for hot spring lovers. The service here is excellent, with friendly staff always ready to assist. Each guest can enjoy two free hot spring sessions per day, and the hotel’s breakfast is also quite rich.
Day 2: Weihai Tianmu Hot Spring Resort → Yandunjiao Swan Lake → Weihai Tianmu Hot Spring Resort
Due to the heavy snow, the Xixiakou and Liugongdao Scenic Areas were closed. So, we decided to go to Yandunjiao Swan Lake, a newly – emerging internet – famous attraction. The snow – covered town was like a dream. When we arrived, we were lucky enough to see the staff feeding the swans. Hundreds of swans from Siberia gathered there, creating a spectacular sight.
Day 3: Weihai Tianmu Hot Spring Resort → Qingdao → Catholic Church → Tsingtao Brewery Museum → Badaguan in Taipingjiao → Mercure Hotel in Qingdao
In Qingdao, we first visited the Catholic Church. As the largest Gothic – style building in Qingdao and the only consecrated church in China, it is a masterpiece of Christian architectural art. The 10 – yuan ticket allows visitors to freely view and take photos inside.
Then, we went to the Tsingtao Brewery Museum. Girls seem to love this place more because they can taste the limited – edition Tsingtao original beer. The museum is divided into two parts. In the A – hall, you can learn about the history and honors of Tsingtao Beer through high – tech displays. In the B – hall, you can taste the original beer for free and see the brewing process. There is also a souvenir shop, a bar, and a food court at the exit.
Day 4: Mercure Hotel in Qingdao → Zhanqiao Pier → Signal Hill Park → Badaguan (Huashi Building, Princess Building, etc.) → Zaozhuang → Taierzhuang Ancient City → Taierzhuang Mansion
We had lunch at a seafood buffet near Zhanqiao Pier. Then we visited the Catholic Church, Zhanqiao Pier, where we fed seagulls and pigeons. Signal Hill Park offers a great view of the city, especially from its observation tower. Badaguan, known as the “Exhibition of World Architecture,” has buildings in more than 20 different national styles. The Huashi Building, with its European castle – style architecture, is a must – visit.
In the evening, we rushed to Taierzhuang Ancient City. As the largest ancient city in China and a national AAAAA – level tourist attraction, it has the reputation of the “Most Beautiful Water Town in China.” At night, the city is illuminated by thousands of lights, creating a dreamy and festive atmosphere. We took a boat ride on the canal, which made us feel like we were in a southern Chinese water town.
Day 5: Taierzhuang Mansion → Qufu → Nishan Sacred Land → Confucius Temple – Three Confucian Sites in Qufu → Full Season Hotel in Qufu
Nishan Sacred Land is a place that makes you want to come back again. The core building, the “University Hall,” is magnificent, with five halls filled with the essence of Confucian culture. There is a special offer of 99 yuan for a 2 – hour Hanfu experience and free admission. The performance “The Sound of Metal and Jade” uses high – tech means to present the glorious life of Confucius.
The Three Confucian Sites in Qufu, including the Confucius Temple, Confucius Mansion, and Confucius Forest, are the holy places for people who respect Confucian culture. The Confucius Temple is a grand architectural complex, with the Dacheng Hall being its core. The ten stone pillars in front of the Dacheng Hall are exquisitely carved, and the unique architectural form here is the origin of the phrase “intricate and devious.”
Day 6: Full Season Hotel in Qufu → Three Confucian Sites in Qufu → Tianwaitian in Tai’an → Taishan Scenic Area → Jinan → Feiman Hotel near Henglong Square
Taishan, the head of the Five Great Mountains, has always been famous. We entered the Taishan Scenic Area from the Tianwaitian entrance, which is more convenient as we could take the scenic bus and cable car. The view from the cable car is amazing, but if you have enough time and energy, hiking is also a great option. The top of Taishan, Yuhuangding, offers a panoramic view of the surrounding area. The “Five – Yue Solemnity” stone on the way to the top is the inspiration for the back pattern of the fifth – series five – yuan RMB note.
Day 7: Feiman Hotel near Henglong Square → Jiefang Pavilion → Baishi Spring → Heihu Spring → Quancheng Square → Baotu Spring → Daming Lake → Jinan West High – Speed Railway Station → Shanghai
In Jinan, we visited the famous springs. Baotu Spring, known as the “Number One Spring under Heaven,” is a must – visit. The park around it is filled with historical buildings and other well – known springs. The Li Qingzhao Memorial Hall here commemorates the great female poet of the Southern Song Dynasty.
After visiting Baotu Spring, we had dinner at Yanfu Private Cuisine, a restaurant that has been inheriting Shandong cuisine for 40 years. Then we walked to Daming Lake. The lake, with its pavilions, boats, and the majestic Chaoran Tower, is a place full of history and charm. The Chaoran Tower, as the highest point in the Daming Lake Scenic Area, showcases the beauty and culture of Jinan.
Conclusion
Shandong always leaves a different impression on me, and winter in Shandong is even more gentle and romantic. I hope more people can come to experience the beauty and culture of this province in winter. Each encounter in Shandong is like the first time, full of freshness and surprises.
Tips
General Tips
- All scenic areas in Shandong are open as usual, not affected by the season or the pandemic.
- The recommended scenic spots are Yandunjiao Swan Lake in Rongcheng, Tsingtao Brewery Museum, Taierzhuang Ancient City, Nishan Sacred Land, Taishan Scenic Area, Baotu Spring, and Daming Lake Scenic Area.
- The scenic spots in Shandong are relatively scattered. It is recommended to drive or charter a car. Parking is convenient in most places except in Qingdao and Jinan.
- The local diet in Shandong is mainly based on noodles, dumplings, and buns. The portions are large, so order food according to your appetite.
- The temperature difference between cities is large. Prepare enough warm clothes, especially if you plan to climb mountains.
Transportation
- There are daily flights to Weihai or Jinan. If the ticket price is reasonable, flying is a good choice.
- If you are going to Weihai or Jinan, it is more convenient to arrive at Jinan High – Speed Railway Station first.
- It is recommended to fly to Weihai if you start your trip there, as it saves time and the ticket price is similar to that of the high – speed train. If you start from Jinan, taking the high – speed train is a better option as there are more frequent trains.
- High – speed trains are convenient for traveling between cities in Shandong, but it is still recommended to rent a car for traveling within the province. You can rent a car at the airports and high – speed railway stations.
Scenic Spot – Specific Tips
- Weihai Tianmu Hot Spring Resort: Each guest gets two free hot spring sessions per day. You can enter the hot spring area directly from the guest rooms. The hotel has plenty of parking spaces. There are a Korean restaurant and a small supermarket inside the hotel.
- Yandunjiao Swan Lake: It is free to enter. The best time to watch the swans is in the morning when they are fed. There are many homestays and restaurants in the area. Remember to keep warm as it is cold by the sea.
- Qingdao Catholic Church: The ticket is 10 yuan per person. You can take photos inside. It is open daily.
- Tsingtao Brewery Museum: You can buy tickets online in advance. Each ticket allows you to taste a glass of original beer and a glass of draft beer. The museum is divided into two parts, and it takes about 1 – 2 hours to visit.
- Taierzhuang Ancient City: The ticket is valid for three days and can be used for multiple entries. There are many accommodation and dining options inside the city. Be careful when walking on the stone roads with heavy luggage. There are performances during holidays.
- Nishan Sacred Land: There are paid sightseeing buses in the scenic area. You need to wear shoe covers when entering the core building. The performance “The Sound of Metal and Jade” has fixed showtimes.
- Three Confucian Sites in Qufu: You can choose to walk or take a carriage between the sites. It is recommended to have a guide to better understand the history and culture. There is a Confucius – worshiping performance at 11:00 am in the Confucius Temple.
- Taishan Scenic Area: It is recommended to spend at least two days to fully explore Taishan. The sightseeing buses and cable cars need to be paid separately. There are many accommodation and dining options at Nantianmen if you want to watch the sunrise on the mountain.
- Baotu Spring: The ticket price is 40 yuan. You can learn about the history and culture of the spring and Li Qingzhao from the guides.
- Daming Lake: You can take a boat ride on the lake. The Chaoran Tower is a great place to overlook the lake and the city.
