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Shandong province
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Shandong, a northeastern province of China with an area of 153,000 square km and a population of approximately 90 million, is an important cultural and economic center for the Chinese mainland. It was also the birthplace of the greatest philosopher and educator in China--Confucius, whose philosophy and mottoes, for over two thousand years, have exerted indelible impact on the people of China.
Shandong is full of interesting sights and customs, both Chinese and foreign influenced, that have inspired artists and thinkers for many centuries. From Qufu, the hometown of Confucius, to the revered Mount Tai and the beaches of German influenced Qingdao, Shandong provides a variety of activities for any traveler. |
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Ji'nan| With a long history, Ji'nan is considered most famous for its proximity to Longshan town, some 30 kilometers to the east. The Longshan people, one of China's prehistoric cultures, are noted for their production of black ceramic pottery dating back more than 4,000 years. During the Warring States Period, 2,600 years ago, Ji'nan was also a key frontier stronghold of the Qi State. ...... |
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| Qingdao| A German concession taken in 1897 and ceded for a total of 99 years, the city retains much of its colonial architecture and charm. The city has changed hands many times since then (the Japanese took the port in 1914, formerly ceded to them by the Treaty of Versailles in 1921, it returned to China in 1922, was then taken back by the Japanese in 1938 and finally returned to its present owners during World War II, 1945), but the dislocations of these changes have left little mark upon the city proper. ...... |
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| Yantai| Yantai literally means "smoky mound". In the Ming Dynasty, locals used wolf dung to light fires (Langyan) to warn the whole village of approaching Japanese Pirates (Wokou). The city was nothing but a small fishing village until the late 19th century when it became a treaty port for the British, handed over by the falling Qing Dynasty, which had been defeated in the Opium War. Then with the Germans' power over the whole Shandong peninsula in early 20th century, Yantai was also controlled by Germans for about 20 years. After the Americans won World War I, they turned Yantai into a summer station for their entire Asian fleet. Then the Japanese set up a trading establishment in the town. You may be able to get an idea of the different influences at the western style Yantai Museum, which used to be a guild hall. However, the colourful history has not left a distinctive architectural mark, there has never been a foreign concession, and though you will see an occasional nineteenth-century grand European building, most of the town is of much more recent origin. After liberation, the town's name was changed from the original, Chefoo, to Yantai and was opened to the world as an ice-free trade port in 1984. ...... |
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| Taishan| The Mountain has been renamed by various emperors across the ages, all keen to pay great tribute to this holy Taoist spot. In 725, the Mountain was given the title of "King Equal to the Sky" and men of letters, artists and poets have all paid tribute to this holiest of spots too. The path ascending the mountain is littered with poems and tributes carved in stone, proclaiming the importance and beauty of the spot. Confucius and the poet Dufu both penned poems illustrating their respect, and legend has it that those who climb the mountain will live until they are one hundred years old....... |
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| Qufu| Qufu is located between the River Si and the River Yi in the southwest part of Shangdong Province. To the north and east of Qufu are Mount Tai and Mount Yimeng, while to the south and west are Nafu and the Great Plain of Pingye. ...... |
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| Penglai| Penglai has long been known as "Fairyland": As the place of origin of powerful elixirs and the home of immortals. Penglai is also regarded as one of the three mythological mountains together with Yingzhou and Fangzhang. Almost all Chinese people know the myth of "Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea" which is said to have originated here. According to the myth, the Eight Immortals, after having been drinking at the Penglai Pavilion, crossed the sea through their supernatural powers and finally reached Japan....... |
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