6 Days Best Shandong Tour: Jinan, Qufu, Mt. Taishan, Qingdao

Great to travel Shandong with you! Upon arrival in Jinan, capital of Shandong, your guide and driver will meet you at Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport (TNA) or Train Station and escort you to hotel for check-in.

Rest a while, then start your half-day tour in Jinan, heading to Baotu Spring (趵突泉). It is Jinan's iconic landmark and the top of its "72 famous springs," flowing for at least 3,500 years. Emperor Qianlong, charmed by its water, declared it the "First Spring Under Heaven." Its three main eyes surge with clear, crisp water, bubbling up continuously and reaching several feet high when abundant.

Follow this route: South Gate - Baixue Tower - Baotu Spring - Guanlan Pavilion - Li Qingzhao Memorial Hall - Jinxian Spring - Shuyu Spring - East Gate. South Gate shines in its plaque, "Baotu Spring". It was penned by Emperor Qianlong. Inside, you will have a panoramic view of this scenic area, and then walk along corridors surrounding Baotu Spring. Three springs churn with natural power. How magic it never rests! Besides Baotu Spring, the scenic area also features other springs, gardens, and Li Qingzhao Memorial Hall. Explore them along your way, but certainly, allow extra time for Baotu Spring to stun you.

Then, drive 13 minutes to Daming Lake (大明湖). Daming Lake, one of Jinan's famous attractions alongside Baotu Spring, is a rare natural lake in a bustling city, known as the "Pearl of Spring City (Jinan)."

Stroll across its stone bridges, enjoy clear waters, and admire surrounding mountains. The lake's beauty changes with seasons, with summer lotuses being the most stunning. Inside Lixia Pavilion, a renowned Jinan pavilion, you'll find the famous Tang Dynasty poem by Du Fu: "To the east of the sea, this pavilion is ancient; Jinan abounds in famous scholars." You can also choose to explore by boat.

Daming Lake has been featured in famous Chinese historical TV dramas, so don't be surprised if you see people suddenly kneeling to cosplay!

After the tour, your guide and driver will escort you to hotel in Jinan.

Today, you will start a day tour to Confucius Temple, Kong Family Mansion, Confucius Cemetery. All entered UNESCO World Heritage list in 1994. Get closer to Confucianism, the Chinese cultural roots that run deep.

Start from Confucius Temple (孔庙), "Ancestor of East Asian Confucian Temples." This site stands as one of China's "Three Great Ancient Architectural Complexes," a peer to Beijing's Forbidden City and Chengde Mountain Resort.

This temple, built on the site of Confucius's former residence in 478 BC, just one year after Confucius's passing. It became a crucial ritual site where 12 emperors performed honor. Beginning in the 3rd century BC, emperors had generous hand in investment of Confucius-related buildings. Today, its sprawling 140,000 square meters are vast enough to fill 9 to 12 baseball fields!

You will visit its Dacheng Hall (大成殿) and Apricot Altar (杏坛). Dacheng Hall, a luxurious main site for honoring Confucius, ranks among "Three Great Eastern Halls" (alongside Forbidden City's Hall of Supreme Harmony and Dai Temple's Tiankuang Hall). Inside, note the ten carved dragon pillars. Nearby is the Apricot Altar, where Confucius taught.

Notice: Annually, from September 27th to October 7th, Confucius Temple hosts the International Confucius Cultural Festival (国际孔子文化节)'s grand sacrificial rituals.

Just east of the Confucius Temple lies Kong Family Mansion (孔府), home of Confucius's direct family. As one of feudal China's most prestigious family estates, it's known as "The Foremost Family Under Heaven." For nearly a millennium, from the 10th century, Confucius's descendants resided and worked here, inheriting noble privileges—as if Confucius’ fame forever blessed them.

You will admire a living feudal family life on this sprawling 160,000-square-meter super villa. It’s your ancient villa tour with Grand halls, private quarters, and ancestral shrines. Explore details like ancient delivery lockers in walls and gate paintings warning against greed.

Then, 1,500 meters away, Confucius Cemetery (孔林), "the Museum of Ancient Chinese Burial Culture," is the vast family burial ground for Confucius and over 100,000 descendants, established over 2,500 years ago. It lets travelers admire how China’s burial customs have changed. What's unique is that this site is still actively in use, with Confucius's descendants continuing to be buried here, staying forever with their legendary family.

After the tour, your guide and driver will escort you to hotel in Qufu.

Today, you will have an enjoyable Qufu day tour at Confucius Temple and Nishan Sacred Land.

Your first stop is Confucius Temple (孔子博物馆), China's premier national museum dedicated to Confucius. It shows his life, Confucian culture, and the history of his descendants.

Inside, across three floors, you'll find over 700,000 artifacts, including the Kong Family Archives, recognized as a "Memory of the World" heritage, detailing the daily management of this immense family. The museum's most prized possession is the "Yellow Horse," a representative jade carving from the Warring States period's State of Lu.

Notice: Closed on Monday.

Then, drive 30 minutes to Nishan Sacred Land (尼山圣境), the trending Confucius cultural tourism complex at Confucius's birthplace. Here, you'll find the world's largest Confucius statue, towering 72 meters. The Confucius Academy (孔子大学堂) is central. You can admire traditional sacrificial rituals and music. At Nishan Academy (尼山书院), learn calligraphy and write classic Confucian sentences. The interactive zone allows you to try simulated Confucian manners, play ancient instruments, practice archery, and enjoy ancient chariot driving. Good way to be Confucius's students!

Optional: "Golden Sound and Jade Vibration" Live Show

At the Confucius Academy, you can choose to watch "Golden Sound and Jade Vibration" live show. This performance portrays Confucius's whole life and how ordinary people, shaped by Confucian culture, transform into a grounded, kind person. Very impressive!

After the tour, your guide and driver will escort you to hotel in Qufu.

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours (Sightseeing Bus, Cable Car Included)

Route: Tianwaicun Tourist Center - Sightseeing Bus - Zhongtianmen - The Eighteen Blends - Nantianmen - Yuhuangding - Nantianmen - Cable Car - Sightseeing Bus - Tianwaicun Tourist Center - Return to Hotel

After Breakfast, drive 1.5 hours to Mount Taishan. Spend a full day on the mountain.

Mount Taishan(泰山), the world's first UNESCO World Natural and Cultural Heritage site since 1987, is revered as China's "Foremost Mountain Under Heaven" and the "leader of the Five Sacred Mountains of China," ranking higher than Mount Huashan, Mount Hengshan, Mount Heng (Hunan), and Mount Songshan.

But this amazing fame has no connection with its 1545 meters, but refers to rare Chinese emperor culture. For over two millennia, its majestic scenery drew eyes of ancient emperors, earning it "divine mountain". This solitary peak on the eastern plain was considered by emperors a direct path to communicate with the gods—a real-life ancient "Iron Throne" from Game of Thrones.

It hosted 13 emperors who came for Fengshan sacrifices - grand ceremonies to report achievements to heaven and earth—with Qin Shi Huang being the first.

This mountain has witnessed emperors reporting their deeds to gods, welcomed Confucius who declared famous"small world" from its summit, and observed countless common people throughout millennia. Even 500,000-year-old human fossils at its foot speak to its deep history.

You'll arrive at Tianwaicun Tourist Center and take a 20-minute sightseeing bus to Zhongtianmen (847m), the starting point for your Mount Taishan hike. The section from Zhongtianmen (中天门) to Nantianmen (南天门) is the core of the Taishan hike.

First, you'll walk along a gentle path, admiring the distant mountains that seem almost within reach. Then, you'll climb The Eighteen Bends (十八盘) between Zhongtianmen and Nantianmen. This challenging section takes about 2.5 hours and involves over 1,600 steep steps. It needs a lot of energy. Feel free to follow your pace, pausing to admire thousand-year-old stone inscriptions along the way.

Finally, you'll reach Nantianmen (1460m), the summit's entrance. This was a crucial site for ancient emperors performing the Fengshan sacrifices. From Nantianmen, you can look down upon the steep path of The Eighteen Bends and gaze at the layered mountain ranges in the distance. In this moment, you might share Confucius's open heart.

From there, take a 40-minute stroll eastward along Tianjie (Heavenly Street) to reach Yuhuangding (1545m), Mount Taishan's highest point. Along the way, you'll find the famous "Five Sacred Mountains Unique" inscription, a popular photo spot.

After your tour, back to Nantianmen, take the cable car down to Zhongtianmen, then a sightseeing bus to Tianwaicun Tourist Center. Back to hotel in Tai’an.

Climbing Tips:

1. Even in summer, its summit feels cold. It’s better to pack a light down jacket or windproof outer shell, along with gloves and a hat.
2. For the climb, bring high-energy snacks like chocolate.

Optional: Mount Taishan Shadow Puppet

At Mount Taishan Shadow Puppet Intangible Cultural Heritage Theater (泰山皮影非遗剧场), you can enjoy a shadow puppet show and get hands-on to create your shadow puppet. Contact us to book your visit!

After breakfast, take 3.5h high speed train from Tai’an to Qingdao. First, explore Zhanqiao Pier (栈桥). Look afar, it look like rainbow across the waves. Step on this 440-meter-long pier, you will enjoy vast sea view, embrace the gentle breeze, listen to rhythmic sounds of the waves. Walk to the Huilancan Pavilion with red-tiled roof, and look back for beautiful view of "red tiles, green trees, blue sea, and blue sky". And Xiao Qingdao Island also in your sight. (Tip: if you come in winter, numerous seagulls are flying freely on the calm emerald water. Great for photos.)

Later, move to the Museum of the Former German Governor’s House (青岛德国总督官邸旧址). First built in 1905, it has witnessed Qingdao’s centennial history. It was originally the residence of the governor of Jiaozhou Bay during the German occupation. Appreciate its striking outlook - the Stone Building, which blends German Wilhelminian Era New Romanesque architecture.

In this afternoon, you will reach Xiaoyushan Park (小鱼山). This is the best spot in Qingdao to take breathtaking panoramic photos of the city, coastline and sea. Enjoy short walk up to the hill, and the "Yu" (Fish) Emblem (the Chinese character "Yu," meaning fish) will catch your eyes. Climb up the main highlight of the park - Lanchao Pavilion. You will have peaceful time to enjoy 360-degree views. From here, the nearby scenery unfolds: Huiquan Bay, Zhaoqiao Pier, and the Golden Sandy Beaches. As you take in the surroundings, a poetic scene will unfold before your eyes: "red tiles, green trees, blue sea, and blue sky" - a harmonious landscape with charming houses scattered across it. Very romantic!

Later, dive deeper to explore Qingdao city. You will take a look at the iconic and beautiful St. Michael's Cathedral (天主教堂). Yellow granite, red-tiled conical spires, Neo-Romanesque architecture, and rose window - it's truly elegant! Take some photos here.

After enjoying the beautiful view, let's experience Qingdao life! Have great time at Dabaodao Cultural Block (大鲍岛文化街区). This trending spot in Qingdao is perfect for experiencing local life and taking photos. It's an open-air architectural museum, centered around 187 "Li-yuan" building complexes that blend Chinese and Western architectural styles. Stroll leisurely on the streets, and you can feel the vibrant, trendy youth culture as you shop for unique crafts, discover art galleries, enjoy live music venues, and find authentic local Qingdao dishes.

After the tour, be escorted back to your hotel in Qingdao.

After breakfast, enjoy your last day in Qingdao to experience its beer culture and coastal views.

Your first stop is the Qingdao Beer Museum (啤酒博物馆). Cool experience for beer lovers! Dive into the history and production of Tsingtao Beer, one of China's most famous brews. On this site, you'll first see the iconic beer bottles dotted around the factory and learn about Tsingtao Beer's century-old history. Visit the Production Process Area to see the actual brewing equipment and workshops from 100 years ago, alongside modern production lines. This section vividly explains the brewing process, from ingredients like barley and hops to fermentation and bottling. Besides watching, you'll also get to taste! Sample fresh Tsingtao beer straight from the production line.

Later, move to Badaguan Scenic Area (八大关), known as the "Museum of International Architecture." Here, you'll enjoy a diverse collection of European-style villas, with each one telling a story of Qingdao's colonial past.

Explore from north to south, strolling through tree-lined streets and admiring over 200 villas built in the architectural styles of more than 20 different countries, including German, Russian, French, British, American, and Danish. You won't want to miss the Princess House, a delicate Danish-style villa that looks straight out of a fairy tale, famous for having hosted Princess Margrethe of Denmark. Also, see the Huashi Building (Flower Stone House), a European-style castle built with granite and cobblestones.

Your trip will be followed by a visit to Qingdao Second Bathing Beach (青岛第二海水浴场), located just south of Badaguan. It's often considered one of Qingdao's most charming and tranquil bathing spots. Its less crowded, more peaceful, and relaxed environment will truly attract you. Take a leisurely stroll on the soft sand, or simply lay out, soak up the sun, and listen to the gentle waves. This is also a great spot for taking photos.

After the tour, your guide and driver will then take you to the airport or train station in Qingdao for your onward flight or high-speed train to your next destination.

Thank you for taking Shandong Tour! Asia Odyssey Travel is delighted to have guided you on this 6 Days Best Shandong Tour. We're always ready to craft your smooth trip in China and across Asia. Until next time!