Shandong is a coastal province in eastern China, home to Mount Tai, the birthplace of Confucius at Qufu, the beer-making port of Qingdao, and Jinan, the City of Springs. Its capital is Jinan and its largest city is Qingdao. The province combines UNESCO heritage, a long Yellow Sea and Bohai coast, and Lu cuisine, one of China's Eight Great Cuisines.
Top day trips
Handpicked excursions within easy reach.
Mount Tai (泰山) from Jinan
China's first-ranked sacred mountain and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with over 6,000 stone steps, temples, stelae and the summit of Jade Emperor Peak at 1,545 m. A day trip is possible by taking the Zhongtianmen cable car partway; hiking the full central route from the Hongmen Gate takes 5-7 hours each way.
Highlights: Climb or ride toward Nantianmen (South Heavenly Gate) on Shandong's UNESCO-listed sacred mountain · Reach Jade Emperor Peak at 1,545 m for summit views over the plain · Read stone stelae and inscriptions along the ancient pilgrimage steps · Visit Bixia Temple and the summit temple complex
Qufu Three Confucian Sites (曲阜三孔)
The birthplace of Confucius and a UNESCO World Heritage Site made up of the Temple of Confucius, the Kong Family Mansion and the Cemetery of Confucius (Kong Lin). The temple's Dacheng Hall and the mansion's 460 rooms show imperial-era architecture and ritual life.
Highlights: Walk through Dacheng Hall and the cypress courtyards of the Temple of Confucius · Tour the Kong Family Mansion and its roughly 460 rooms · Ride a battery cart or rickshaw to the Kong Lin cemetery forest · Time a visit for the Confucius birthday festival in late September
Zhoucun Ancient Commercial District (周村古商城)
A Ming and Qing trading street that grew from the silk and grain trade, known as the 'Dry Land Wharf'. Its shopfronts, bell tower and the Zhoucun Shaobing (a hard sesame pastry) are the local highlights; Zibo barbecue is a famous food attraction in the wider city.
Highlights: Stroll Dajie Street, lined with Ming and Qing shopfronts · Taste Zhoucun shaobing, the local hard sesame pastry · Visit the museum houses on the silk and grain trade of the 'Dry Land Wharf' · Return to Zibo for its famous barbecue
Qingzhou Ancient City (青州古城)
A walled old city with Ming-Qing streets, the Qingzhou Museum's Buddhist statues (excavated at Longxing Temple), and Mount Yunmen with its giant carved Shou character. It is one of the better-preserved historic centres of central Shandong and rarely visited by foreigners.
Highlights: See the Buddhist statues from Longxing Temple in the Qingzhou Museum · Walk the Ming-Qing streets and the ancient city wall · Visit Wanhu Garden inside the old city · Find the giant carved Shou character on Mount Yunmen
Laoshan (崂山) from Qingdao
A coastal mountain rising directly from the Yellow Sea with granite peaks, Taoist temples, waterfalls and green tea fields. Taiqing Palace, the Jufeng and Beijiushui trails and the local Laoshan green tea are the main draws.
Highlights: Visit Taiqing Palace, the Taoist temple complex beside the sea · Walk the Beijiushui trail through pools and forest · Climb toward Jufeng for views over the Yellow Sea · Sample Laoshan green tea at local tea houses
Rizhao Coast and Wanping Kou (日照万平口)
A clean, uncrowded sandy shore south of Qingdao known for its tea plantations, seafood and a calm resort atmosphere. Wanping Kou lagoon and the seaside promenade make an easy first stop before the beaches of Donggang.
Highlights: Walk the Wanping Kou lagoon and seaside promenade · Spend an afternoon on the uncrowded Donggang beaches · Eat fresh seafood at a Donggang restaurant · Visit the tea plantations near the coast
Penglai Pavilion (蓬莱阁)
A Song-dynasty seaside temple complex on a clifftop above the Bohai Sea and one of China's four legendary towers, linked to the Eight Immortals legend. The site also includes the Penglai water city and the ancient naval base with Ming-dynasty defences.
Highlights: Explore the clifftop Song-dynasty pavilion complex above the Bohai Sea · Learn the Eight Immortals legend linked to the site · Walk the Penglai water city and Ming-dynasty naval defences · Eat fresh seafood at the Penglai fishing wharf
Liugong Island, Weihai (刘公岛)
The island holds the Museum of the First Sino-Japanese War and the former Beiyang Fleet headquarters of the Qing navy. It is a hilly, wooded island with sea views, war-ship relics and hiking paths.
Highlights: Visit the Museum of the First Sino-Japanese War · See the former Beiyang Fleet headquarters of the Qing navy · Walk the wooded coastal trail with sea views · Cross by ferry from Weihai in about 15-20 minutes
Baotu Spring and Thousand Buddha Mountain, Jinan (千佛山)
A hill park in the south of Jinan with Buddhist carvings dating back to the Sui dynasty, a temple complex and views over the city and the Yellow River. It pairs well with Baotu Spring and the old town's lanes.
Highlights: See Sui-dynasty Buddhist carvings on the hillside · Visit Xingguo Temple and the surrounding halls · Take in views over Jinan and the Yellow River plain from the terrace · Combine the hill with Baotu Spring and Daming Lake
Trips by distance
How far you can go in a day.
Getting there
Transport options for day trips.
- Tours
- Organized day tours from Jinan to Mount Tai and Qufu, or from Qingdao to Laoshan and Rizhao, run from about CNY 200-450 (~$30-67) per person with transfers and sometimes a guide; English tours are limited
- Private
- A chartered car with driver costs about CNY 500-800 (~$75-119) per day, booked through hotels, Trip.com or DiDi Premier; it is the easiest way to combine Mount Tai, Dai Temple and Qufu
- Public
- High-speed rail from Jinan West covers Tai'an, Qufu East, Zibo and Qingzhou North; from Qingdao North reach Rizhao, Yantai and Weihai; local buses connect the stations to the scenic areas
- Rental
- Self-drive needs a Chinese licence; chartered cars with drivers cost CNY 500-800/day (~$75-119)
Multi-day tours from Shandong
If you have longer than a day, these are organised multi-day trips that start here.
Browse multi-day tours from ShandongWe may earn a commission from bookings made through this link.
Day trip tips
Make the most of your excursions.
Book high-speed rail tickets on 12306 or Trip.com in advance for Tai'an, Qufu and Yantai trips - popular departure times sell out on weekends and holidays
Mount Tai, Qufu and Laoshan require the passport for ticket checks; book online where possible in peak periods
Weekend and public-holiday crowds at Mount Tai, Qufu and Rizhao are heavy - weekdays and early mornings are more comfortable
Qufu and Mount Tai can be combined with a chartered car; separate train-and-bus trips to both in one day are tiring
Weihai and Penglai are best treated as overnight trips from Qingdao or Yantai rather than same-day returns
Bring the passport for train ticket purchase and any hotel check-in on overnight extensions