Shandong

Jinan - Qingdao - Qufu

Basic Information
Area: 156,700 sq. kilometer
Capital: Jinan
Population: 86.7 Million

Shandong is in eastern China and the coast of the province divides the Bohai and Yellow Seas. The province is a mix of craggy coastlines, natural springs, green hills, grand mountains and the final stretch of the Yellow River before it enters the Bohai Sea.

In the late 19th century, Shandong was affected by the tumultuous events surrounding the Boxer Rebellion; a peasant movement against the corruption and mismanagement of the imperial court that was brutally suppressed. Around the same time, the Germans established their presence in the region by annexing Qingdao. The province increasingly came under the influence of German, British and Japanese power politics until the founding of the PRC in 1949.

Shandong is also the birthplace of individuals who had monumental impact on Chinese society; the great philosophers Confucius and Mencius were born and based in the ancient state of Lu, the western part of modern Shandong. The hometown of Confucius, Qufu, has reached fame and become a popular tourist attraction and point of pilgrimage for followers of the great sage. Also, Jiang Qing, Mao's 4th wife and notorious member of the Gang of Four came from this province.

This culturally and historically rich province is now moving towards industrialization and modernization. However, visitors continue to come to the province to enjoy its natural beauty and Qingdao, a former German concession and seaside city is a popular beach resort. The capital Jinan, is often referred to as the "city of springs" because of the more than 100 natural springs found in the area. Mount Tai, the most sacred Daoist Mountain in China is also found in Shandong.