Green Travel Train >> Qingdao & Taishan

 

Qingdao & Taishan
Shanghai-Qingdao-Taishan-Qufu-Taishan-Jinan-Shanghai

Day 1   Shanghai-Qingdao ( 1361km, 10hours )
Take train D76/D77 (Shanghai-Qingdao, 07:32 17:41). After arrival, pick up and transfer to hotel, 3 nights in Qingdao.

Qingdao 青岛 lies at the southern tip of Shandong Peninsula, embraced by Jiaozhou Bay and facing the Yellow Sea. A well-known holiday resort area in China, Qingdao is also otherwise known as home to Tsingtao Beer and some of China's best wineries. Some parts of the city retain a certain Bavarian accent, with its red-tiled roofs and European flair. Qingdao is one of China's main ports for foreign trade. Qingdao is an important base for ocean research in China.
Day 2   Qingdao

Qingdao city tour incl. Zhanqiao Pier and Badaguan Scenic Area. Visit also Tsingtao Beer Museum, well-preserved Underground Command Center built in 1900’s. Visit the Wusi Square and Qingdao Olympic Water sports site including Olympic Sailling Center.

Zhanqiao Pier 栈桥, Qingdao's major landmark and symbol-even is in the label of famous Qingdao Beer. The pier was built in 1891 as a warehouse. It stretches some 440 meters from Taiping Road to its southern extremity far out to sea. A traditional octagonal pavilion has been added at the southern end. It is an ideal place to enjoy the sea view and the contrast between modern buildings and old German concession.
Badaguan 八大关 is used to have eight avenues that were named after eight famous passes in China. On October 12, 1898, the German Kaiser Wilhelm II formally named the Jiao’ao Concession downtown area as Qingdao, and went on to apply to Qingdao the late 19th century’s mist advanced European city planning concepts. The Badaguan villa area was a result of that city planning. Imbued with foreign flavor, Badaguan, this 'museum of world architecture,' encompasses nearly a hundred villas in different styles.
Tsingtao Beer Museum 青岛啤酒博物馆, Experience the long and rich history of Tsingtao beer and observe beer production techniques and machinery in China's first and oldest beer factory. You can also try different varieties of Tsingtao beer or drink beer that's fresh off the production line. After the museum tour, you can walk east along the main road (Deng Zhou Road) to experience the cluster of bars and restaurants that is Qingdao's "Beer Street".
The Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center 青岛奥林匹克帆船中心 is located on Fushan Bay. At the southeast side of the center, there are five sailing zones totaling 49.48 square kilometers. 2008 Olympic Sailing was held in host Qingdao successfully, which attracted large number of tourists. Qingdao had invested huge sums in tourism constructions, including 104 key tourism projects before.
Day 3   Qingdao-Mount Lao ( 50km, 1.5hours )-Qingdao
Drive to Mount Lao(1hour), which is known as the most famous mountain along the seashore of China. There is a waterfall named Chaoyin at the end of the climbing track. Return to Qingdao in the early afternoon, free time on your own.

Mount Lao 崂山 is nearly as famous as the province's other famous mountain, Mount Tai. It is known as one of the birthplaces of Taoism and has been a place of pilgrimage for centuries. Mount Lao once had 9 palaces, 8 temples, and 72 convents. Many of these places have been destroyed over the years, but a number of the temples remaining are worth a look for their elegant architecture and their stunning views over the sea. With sheer cliffs and cascading waterfalls, the beautiful mountain is widely recognized in China as a source of the country's best-known mineral water (a vital ingredient in the local brew, Tsingtao).
Day 4   Qingdao-Mount Tai ( 466km, 3.5 hours ) -Qufu ( 100km, 1.5hour )-Mount Tai
In the morning, transfer to railway station and take D78/D75 (Qingdao-Mount Tai, 10:30 13:57). Meet your guide upon arrival and transfer to Qufu. Visit the Confucius temple, Kong Family and Tombs. Transfer to Mount Tai, accommodate at the foot of mountian, 2 nights.

Qufu 曲阜 is the birthplace of Confucius; it served as the capital of the State of Lu during the Spring and Autumn Period. Qufu contains numerous historic palaces, temples and cemeteries. Many of the major cultural sites in the city are all associated with Confucius, such as the three sites of the Temple of Confucius 孔庙, the Cemetery of Confucius 孔林, and the Kong Family Mansion 孔府. The Qufu complex of monuments have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1994.
Day 5   Mount Tai
Full day exploration on Mount Tai. Take the minibus to the scenery spot then the cable car to visit Tianjie, Tangmo cliff, Yuhuangding and Riguan apex.

Mount Tai 泰山 is an early birthplace of China's ancient civilization and the area around was one of ancient China's political, economic and cultural centers. In history, there were total 72 emperors from Xia, Shang and Zhou dynasties who built temples on it. Mount Tai is one of the "Five Sacred Mountains". It is associated with sunrise, birth, and renewal, and is often regarded the foremost of the five. The temples on its slopes have been a destination for pilgrims for 3,000 years. Taishan Mountain was included in the UNESCO world heritage list in 1987. The main peak, Jade Emperor Peak 玉皇蜂, rising 1,545 meters above sea level.
Day 6   Mount Tai-Jinan ( 71km, 1hour )-Shanghai
In the morning transfer to Jinan, capital of Shandong province. City tour incl. Baotu Spring Park, Daming Lake, Liqingzhao Memorial Hall and Quancheng Square. After dinner, transfer to railway station and take train back to Shanghai. T105 (968km, 21:10 06:14+1) or similar.

Beautiful Baotu Spring 趵突泉 is located in the centre of Jinan City, and it is here that you will find the Baotu Spring. In the past, the Baotu Spring only covered 4 mu (about two thirds of an acre). The park itself was originally established in 1956 and more recently has been extended to 158 mu (about 26 acres). This highly valued facility represents the symbol of Jinan City and is regarded as one of the three major places of interest in Jinan. This park is highly regarded as a well known scenic spot which makes an ideal location for admirers of wonderful natural springs, culture and various constructions.
Located in the center of Jinan City, Daming Lake Park 大明湖公园 is regarded as one of the three must-see tourist spots in Jinan (the others are Baotu Spring Park and Thousand-Buddha Mountain). Daming Lake Park is famous for Daming Lake (also known as the Lake of Great Light) which is a natural lake formed from many springs. Characteristically unique is its constant water level, unaffected by heavy rains or drought.
Embraced by mountain, spring, river and city, QuanCheng Square 泉城广场 is the central square of the capital city of Shandong Province, Jinan. Looking around, you can have a look at the old city in the north, see Baotu Spring spurting or flowing slowly in the west, look into distance at the verdant Thousand Buddha Mountain stretching along in the south, look ahead the Liberation Pavilion fresh and elegant as a picture in the east.
Day 7   Shanghai-arrival
06:14 arrival at Shanghai. Own arrangement for your way back home. (END)