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Tai Shan (Mount Tai), pride of all Shandong province and standing at an imposing 1,545 m above sea level, is the most venerated of China's five sacred Taoist mountains. Some 6 million tourists a year come to follow in the footsteps of Confucius and other great leaders and thinkers of China. There are a few different ways to get to the summit. Hiking from the base in Tai'an city should take the best part of a day (assuming you want to stop a while at some of the attractions) on either the central route or western route. The more popular of the two is the central route, which encompasses many of the mountain's pavilions, bridges, stone inscriptions and other cultural relics.  On the first leg of the journey you can take in the Rock Valley Scripture, the North Prayer Rock and Guandi Temple, erected to enshrine the Taoist God of War. Continuing on, you'll pass through... more >>

Perhaps better known as "Tsingtao," thanks to the use of the old spelling that appears on millions of bottles of China's most famous beer, Qingdao (Qīngdǎo, 青岛) on the Yellow Sea is a fabulous destination for its clean ocean air, beaches, mountainous landscape and German colonial-era architecture, not to mention the aforementioned brew and the Shandong seafood dishes that go so well with it.  The city also has its inevitable fast-paced modern side, and after it was chosen to host the 2008 Olympics sailing events, it enjoyed an across-the-board upgrading of facilities to accommodate waves of new visitors. Qingdao isn't new to the tourist game, however, as it's long been favored as a summer-time escape from Beijing's hot and dusty dog days.  Qingdao's deep water harbor and proximity to Korea and Japan have long made it a strategic port (hence the interes... more >>

Named for its location south of the Ji River, Jinan, the capital of northeast China's Shandong province, is also known as the "City of Springs" thanks to 72-odd natural artesian springs bubbling up through the same limestone that forms nearby Tai Shan, a sacred Taoist mountain and major regional attraction. Jinan boasts a rich history and distinct culture, making it popular with domestic tourists, and it also serves as a major  transportation hub worth a day or two stopover for travelers passing through. The city's greatest claim to fame is its distinction as the home of lu cai (Shandong cuisine), one of the eight great culinary traditions of China. Jinan loves to eat, and it also loves to celebrate, a fact that makes it a great place to witness many of China's traditional festivals, including the Lantern Festival at Baotu Spring Park, the Lotus F... more >>