The province of Shandong is located on the eastern coast of China at the lower reaches of the Yellow River. It consists of a peninsula and mainland areas. The Shandong Peninsula is situated between the Bohai Sea and Yellow Sea, opposite the Liaodong Peninsula.
During the colonial era, Shandong was within the sphere of interest of the German Empire. In Shandong province lies the city of Qingdao, which was "leased" to Germany by the Chinese Empire in 1897. It wasn't until 1922, after China had become a republic, that the city was returned to China by the Western invading powers. Today, traces of German presence can still be seen in Qingdao, including residential buildings with Central European architecture from that time. Notably, China's most famous beer also originates from Qingdao.
Shandong translates roughly to "east of the mountain," referring specifically to Mount Tai, located in Shandong and being the easternmost of the five sacred mountains of Taoism. Additionally, Shandong China is situated at the lower reaches of the famous Yellow River.
Jinan is the birthplace of the well-known prehistoric Longshan culture. In Jinan, there are numerous historical relics such as the Chengziya Wall from the Neolithic period, as well as a wall from the time of the Qi kingdom, constructed even before the famous Great Wall during the Qin Dynasty. Additionally, one can discover China's oldest existing wooden structure, the Guo Family Tomb from the Han Dynasty, and 500 colored Arhat statues from the Song Dynasty in the Lingyan Temple. However, Jinan's fame is primarily due to its countless springs.
The history of Jinan's springs dates back longer than the city itself. For thousands of years, hundreds of springs have bubbled in the region. Today, these springs are well-preserved. The water is not only drinkable but also creates a pleasant atmosphere, making them rare and valuable cultural assets of the city.
The springs originate in the mountains south of the city, where limestone formations date back 400 million years. Rainwater and surface water seep through karst sinkholes, troughs, and caves, flow past stalactites, form underground rivers, and eventually make their way toward the city. The flow of water is hindered and accumulated by volcanic rock. The water then emerges beneath the old city of Jinan.
Among all the springs in Jinan, the Baotu Springs, Wulongtan (Five-Dragon) Springs, Zhenzhu (Pearl) Springs, and Heihu (Black Tiger) Springs are the most famous. While the flow rates and topography at the spring openings vary, the water quality itself is always top-notch.
A new, state-of-the-art airport opened in 2021, replacing the old Qingdao Liuting International Airport. It connects Qingdao with the rest of China and offers a few international flights, including destinations like London, primarily focusing on Japan and Korea. Local culture has been integrated into Terminals 2 and 3.
Access to surrounding cities is facilitated by Metro Line 8 or the Qingdao-Jinan high-speed rail.
Located approximately 33 kilometers outside Jinan's city center, this airport serves both international and domestic flights. The airport is slated for renovation in the near future to enhance passenger experience.
The airport shuttle bus takes about an hour between the city center and the airport. Plans are underway to connect the airport to Jinan's metro system.
