5-Day Qingdao Discovery Tour: Qingdao, Qufu & Mount Taishan

Tour Highlights
• Walk along Zhanqiao Pier, symbol of Qingdao and one of the most iconic attractions in Qingdao
• Visit Small Qingdao Isle, from which Qingdao gets its name.
• Enjoy a commanding view of Qingdao, and the Yellow Sea at the top of Little Fish Hill.
• Wander through Badaguan Scenic Resort, originally a residential area built for Germans when Qingdao was a German protectorate.
• Savor authentic Tsingtao beer at Tsingtao Beer Museum, the original and still-operating brewery in Qingdao.
• Visit Qufu, birthplace and place of residence of Confucius, the ancient sage who founded Confucianism.
• Admire Temple of Confucius in Qufu, the largest and most renowned temple of Confucius in China.
• Visit Confucius Family Mansion, the historical residence of the direct descendants of Confucius.
• Visit Cemetery of Confucius where Confucius himself and some of his disciples were buried, as well as many thousands of his descendants.
• Admire Mount Taishan, one of the Five Sacred Mountains of China & a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Visit Daimiao Temple, one of the most sacred temples in the Taoist religion &  the largest and most intact ancient architectural complex at Mount Taishan.

Tour Itinerary at a Glance
• Day 1 Arrival in Qingdao, Qingdao Airport or Train Station Transfer
• Day 2 Zhanqiao Pier, Small Qingdao Isle, Little Fish Hill, Badaguan Scenic Resort & Tsingtao Beer Museum, Bullet Train to Qufu
• Day 3 Temple of Confucius, Confucius Family Mansion, Cemetery of Confucius, Drive to Tai'an
• Day 4 Mount Taishan, Daimiao Temple, Bullet Train to Qingdao
• Day 5 Departure from Qingdao, Transfer to Qingdao Airport or Train Stations

Hotels & Meals
• 2 nights of accommodations at 4-star Mingdu Gloria Plaza Hotel Qingdao or similar
• 1 night of accommodation at 4-star Queli Hotel Qufu or similar
• 1 night of accommodation at 4-star Ramada Plaza Tai'an or similar
• Daily hotel breakfast included, lunch & dinner on your own

Tailor This Tour to Meet Your Needs
• If you've booked your own hotel, prefer a different stay, or wish to modify this itinerary, contact us via WhatsApp (+86 139 1083 0737) or email (info@GrandChinaTravel.com), and we'll craft a personalized tour just for you.

Price Remarks
• Prices are not valid during National Day (Oct 1-7), Chinese New Year, and Labor Day (May 1-5).
• Prices are based on double/twin/triple occupancy at the suggested hotels.
• A single supplement is charged for single room occupancy.

Price Inclusions
• Second class bullet train tickets.
• Hotel accommodation with daily breakfast.
• Professional English language speaking tour guide.
• Air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced driver.
• Admission tickets to sightseeing places.
• All government taxes.

Price Exclusions
• Your personal expenses.
• Tour guide for departure transfer.
• Lunches & dinners are excluded allowing you flexibility on menu.
• Travel insurance is not included. Please purchase before your trip to provide for any unforeseen circumstances.
• Gratuities to guide & driver. They are customary and would be of great encouragement and reward for quality service.

Additional Info
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking.
• Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately.
• The itinerary is subject to change due to traffic conditions or bad weather.
• The itinerary is flexible; changes can be made upon written request from travelers.
• Advice on Meals: Please feel free to ask your guide for recommendations on authentic local food.
• IMPORTANT: It is required by the government regulations that travelers must provide their name, gender, nationality, passport number and date of birth to their tour operator upon booking a tour. Failure to do so could result in being denied access or admittance to sites and attractions during sightseeing. When you book this tour, please complete all required fields at checkout. Please bring your passport with you on the tour.

Cancellation Policy
• Cancellations made 31 days or more before departure will receive a 100% refund.
• Cancellations made 22-30 days before departure will incur a 10% fee.
• Cancellations made 15-21 days before departure will incur a 30% fee.
• Cancellations made 8-14 days before departure will incur a 50% fee.
• Cancellations made 0-7 days before departure are non-refundable.
• Once the tour commences, there are no refunds for unused services or missed days.
• Cancellation request will be confirmed within 2-5 business days, with refunds issued within 14 working days.

Know Before You Go
• Keep your passport with you throughout the tour; it may be needed to buy entrance tickets.
• Meals (lunch & dinner) are not included; please feel free to ask your guide for recommendations.
• Before getting to Qingdao you will receive guide's name & contact information via WhatsApp or email.
• Your guide will greet you in the airport/train station arrival hall with a GoGrandChina welcome sign displaying your name.

Day 1 Arrival in Qingdao, Qingdao Airport or Train Station Pick-up
Meet your guide at Qingdao airport or train stations and transfer to your hotel in a comfortable private vehicle. After getting settled at the hotel, you may explore Qingdao on your own. Qingdao, literally translated Green Island is the largest city in Shandong province. Qingdao has leveraged its history as one of China’s first gateways to the outside world to achieve its modern glory of being an economic and cultural hub in Northern China. Having been developed as a German colony from 1891 and then occupied by Japan during the early 20th century, its legacy boasts historic architecture – hillside villas with red-colored roofs, on winding cobbled streets – alongside striking modern designs.

Meals Included: No meals
Hotel: 4-star Mingdu Gloria Plaza Hotel Qingdao or similar

Day 2 Zhanqiao Pier, Small Qingdao Isle, Little Fish Hill, Badaguan Scenic Resort, Tsingtao Beer Museum, Bullet Train to Qufu
Morning visit to Zhanqiao Pier. First built in 1891 and frequently enlarged, Zhanqiao Pier is the symbol of Qingdao and one of the most iconic attractions in Qingdao. This 440 metres (1,443.6 ft) long strip stretches into the sea and was the first wharf at Qingdao. Next, visit the Small Qingdao Isle, from which Qingdao gets its name. The most prominent view on the isle is a white conical lighthouse standing at the highest point of isle. The lighthouse was built by the Germans in 1900 and put into use in1915. Continue with a visit to the 60 meter (197 feet) high Little Fish Hill which commands an excellent view of Qingdao, and out to sea. Then, Wander through Badaguan Scenic Resort, originally a residential area built for Germans when Qingdao was a German protectorate. Finally, savor authentic Tsingtao beer at Tsingtao Beer Museum, the original and still-operating brewery in Qingdao. Take bullet train to Qufu (approximately 3 hours). the birthplace and place of residence of Confucius, the ancient sage who founded Confucianism.

Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel
Hotel: 4-star Queli Hotel Qufu or similar

Day 3 Temple of Confucius, Confucius Family Mansion, Cemetery of Confucius, Drive to Tai'an
Morning visit to the Temple of Confucius, the largest and most renowned temple of Confucius in China. Within two years after the death of Confucius, his former house in Qufu was consecrated as a temple. Chinese emperors would visit Qufu after their enthronement or on important occasions such as a successful war. In total, 12 different emperors paid 20 personal visits to Qufu to worship Confucius. About 100 others sent their deputies for 196 official visits. The temple complex is among the largest in China, it covers an area of 16,000 square metres and has a total of 460 rooms. Because the last major redesign following the fire in 1499 took place shortly after the building of the Forbidden City in the Ming Dynasty, the architecture of the Temple of Confucius resembles that of the Forbidden City in many ways. Then, visit the Confucius Family Mansion, the historical residence of the direct descendants of Confucius. Afterwards, visit the Cemetery of Confucius where Confucius himself and some of his disciples were buried, as well as many thousands of his descendants. Drive to Tai'an (approximately 1 hour & 30 minutes).

Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel
Hotel: 4-star Ramada Plaza Tai'an or similar.

Day 4 Mount Taishan, Daimiao Temple, Bullet Train to Qingdao
Morning visit to Mount Taishan, the most famous sacred mountain of China, with exceptional historic, cultural, aesthetic and scientific value. The mountain has been worshipped continuously throughout the last three millennia. On the mountain there are 12 historically recorded imperial ceremonies in homage to Heaven and Earth, about 1,800 stone tablets and inscriptions, and 22 temples, which together make Mount Taishan the most important monument in China, a world-renowned treasure house of history and culture. Upon arrival, take the cable car to the South Heaven Gate. Then hike to the summit of Mount Taishan, Jade Emperor Peak. Walk to Jade Emperor Temple, built to honor the Jade Emperor of Taoism. Explore the Bixia Temple, built at the year of 1008 during the Song Dynasty. Afterwards, walk back to the foot the mount and then take a 20 minutes' drive to the Daimiao Temple, the largest and most complete ancient building complex at Mount Taishan. The temple was first built during the Qin Dynasty (221 BC - 209 BC). Since the time of the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD), its design has been a replica of the imperial palace, which makes it one out of three extant structures in China with the features of an imperial palace (the other two are the Forbidden City and the Confucius Temple in Qufu). Take bullet train to Qingdao (approximately 3 hours).

Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel
Hotel: 4-star Mingdu Gloria Plaza Hotel Qingdao or similar

Day 5 Departure from Qingdao, Transfer to Qingdao Airport or Train Stations
Private transfer (without guide) to Qingdao airport or train station for your departure flight/train. Wish you a pleasant journey and thank you for traveling with GoGrandChina.

Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel