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, Drive to Jinan
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). Drive to Jinan (approximately 83 km, 1 & half hours driving).
Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel
Hotel: 5-star Grand Mercure Jinan Sunshine or similar
Day 5 Jinan, Baotu Spring, Daming Lake, Thousand Buddha Mountain, Furong Ancient Street, Bullet Train to Qingdao
Morning visit to Baotu Spring, the most renowned among the more than 70 named artesian springs in the downtown area of Jinan. The Baotu Spring is a culturally significant artesian karst spring. It is mentioned in the Spring and Autumn Annals, one of the Five Classics of Chinese literature, and was declared the "Number One Spring under the Heaven" by the Qianlong Emperor in the Qing dynasty. Next, visit Daming Lake, the largest lake in Jinan & one of city's main natural and cultural landmarks. All the water from Ji'nan’s springs eventually flows into Daming Lake, set within the largest park in the city, with boat rides, paddle boats, temples, bridges and little islands to explore. Continue with a visit to the Thousand Buddha Mountain, renowned for its numerous Buddha images which have been carved out of the hill's rock faces or free-standing structures erect since the times of the Sui Dynasty (581-618) and its Xingguochan Temple. Finally, wander throught the old street and snack street of Furong Ancient Street to experience the local life of Jinan. Take bullet train to Qingdao (approximately 2 & half hours).
Meals Included: No meals
Hotel: 4-star Mingdu Gloria Plaza Hotel Qingdao or similar
Day 6 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
