Birthplace of a civilization
(2007-10-07)

With its 5,000-year-old history, Shandong Province is considered one of the birthplaces of Chinese civilization.

Shandong is situated in the eastern part of China on the lower reaches of the Yellow River. It borders the Bohai and Huanghai seas to the east, overlooking the Korean Peninsula and the Japan Archipelago across a vast stretch of sea. The province has a population of more than 90 million spread over a total area of 156,000 square kilometers.

Many historical figures have called Shandong home, including Confucius, whose influence on China's culture and society is felt to this day. A visit to the Confucius Temple, the Confucius Mansion and the Confucius Cemetery in Qufu is one of the best ways to find out more about the great thinker.

Shandong is endowed with numerous scenic spots, bursting with natural beauty and cultural flavor.

The inscriptions on the clay pots unearthed at Dawenkou and Dinggongcun are believed to bear the earliest Chinese written language.

Portions of the Great Wall in Shandong, built during the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC), are believed to be some of the oldest sections of the entire wall.

Shandong is also blessed with beautiful landscapes. Some of the most famous spots are Mount Tai, Laoshan Mountain and the seaside of the Jiaodong Peninsula. Mount Tai is known as the place where ancient kings paid their respects to the sky.

In 1987 and 1994, respectively, Mount Tai and the Confucian landmarks in Qufu were inducted onto the World Cultural and Natural Heritage List by UNESCO. Jinan, Shandong's provincial capital, is one of the most famous and historical cities in China. It gets its name, "Spring City", from the many natural springs there.

Shandong is also known as the birthplace of China's pottery, porcelain and silk. Throughout the province, tourists can find traditional items like the clocks and watches of Yantai, the porcelain of Zibo, the kites of Weifang, and the shell-carving of Qingdao.