Welcome aboard China Express!   

China Express will take you to explore China, the places, people, the traditions,  customs, food, and a lot more!  You can board at any time.  Come often to see more of China!  Today our destination is:      Shandong---the Homeland of Confucius

About 300 miles down south of Beijing, there is a region that is venerated as the homeland of the ancient philosopher Confucius. This place is Shandong, where you can experience the wealth of Chinese traditions, the beauty of nature and the famous Shandong Cuisine (one of the eight famous regional cuisine in China: Sichuan Cuisine, Jiangsu Cuisine, Zhejinag Cuisine, Canton Cuisine, Hunan Cuisine, Fujian Cuisine and Anhui Cuisine). Shandong Cuisine is characterized by its emphasis on aroma, freshness, crispness and tenderness.  Traditional dishes, such as  Gongbao Chicken, Guota Tofu and Shrimp Roast , just to name a few, are delicious.

Let's take you on a tour of this area.

We'll start in Jinan, the capital of Shandong, also known as the "City of Springs" for its 72 natural springs. The most famous natural spring is Baotu Spring,

located in downtown Jinan. During the rainy season (July-August), water foams and gushes out of a subterranean cave, like a pot of boiling water. The Qing Qianlong Emperor drank from the spring waters and declared it the " First Spring Under Heaven".  To the south of the city, Thousand Buddha Mountain, attracts thousands of tourists every year for its numerous superb sixth-century Buddhist carvings.

Peddling in a Swan boat in the beautiful Daming Lake can be a very joyous relaxation. The gorgeous weeping willows and water lilies surrounding the lake warmly greet you. Strolling in the pavilions and temples along the bank will make you feel as if you are walking back in ancient China.

Take a train or bus from Jinan down to the south about 40 miles; you'll be in a town called Tai'an. This town is well known for its sacred peak-Mount Tai. It's the holiest of the five holy daoist mountains in China ( Mount Tai-- east; Mount Heng Bei---north; Mount Hua-west; Mount Heng Nan-south and Mount Song-center).

With over 4 million annual visitors, Mount Tai is the most climbed mountain in China. Mount Tai attracts visitors because of its cultural and historical significance and its natural beauty as well, especially its breathtaking sunrise view on the summit. Many emperors, starting from the First Emperor, Qin Shi Huang, climbed the mountain to perform sacred ceremonies. Today hundreds of historical relics, carved inscriptions, temples and sacrificial altars provide a fascinating record of the imperial presence on the mountain.

You can take a cable car to the summit, but if you need exercise, Mount Tai is definitely worth a climb. Its 7000 stairs offer an excellent work out. During the annual International Climbing Festival (September 6-12), hundreds of runners race up the mountain. Around 2500 years ago on this summit, the great philosopher Confucius declared: "the world is small". What are you going to announce while you stand on this holy summit?

Remember, climbing Mount Tai would not be complete without viewing sunrise from the summit, so prepared for it in advance. It usually takes 4-5 hours to reach the summit. We suggest that you stay at a hotel close to the summit at night and catch the first rays early in the morning.