Hospitable Shandong: Getting a Taste of Shandong’s Warmth Before May Day

📍 Qingdao · 👁 1 reads · ❤️ 46 likes

This was a spur-of-the-moment trip. While still at work on Friday, a friend suddenly asked if I wanted to go mountain climbing. After thinking for a moment, I said yes. He originally planned only to climb Mount Tai, but after a full Saturday on the mountain, he hadn't decided where to go on Sunday. Then we thought about going to Qingdao, but one day there didn’t seem enough, so we took Monday off as well — three days round trip, just right, hahaha...

This was my second time climbing Mount Tai. We took a night train, slept on board, and arrived right at dawn. As we stepped out of the station, the local taxi drivers were incredibly enthusiastic, offering to take us to Mount Tai for just 5 yuan per person. Along the way, the driver, a friendly lady, acted like a guide, helping us pick the best route to climb. So warm! The weather was fantastic that day, the temperature perfect; my friend still climbed until he was drenched in sweat.

One day in Qingdao: blue skies, distant sea, sailboats. After finishing Mount Tai, we rushed to Qingdao that same night. Upon arrival we headed straight for Taipei Night Market. It was packed with street food, stretching on and on, but my friend and I didn’t buy a thing — haha. We found a food stall, ordered some seafood BBQ and a pitcher of unfiltered beer. The beer was genuinely delicious. Well-fed and satisfied, we went back to the hotel to sleep. On the way, we spotted a foot massage place and really wanted to go in for a rub-down, but it was too late, and our legs had gone numb from Mount Tai.

After waking up, we first visited Zhanqiao Pier, since our hotel was close by. The seawater was so clear, with large flocks of seagulls swooping down and taking off.

Then it was the Underwater World. After that, it was lunchtime. I tried the mackerel dumplings — not bad, recommended by the restaurant owner.

In the afternoon, we went to Badaguan, then May Fourth Square, walked along the coast all the way to the Olympic Sailing Center and back. Since we had evening train tickets to Jinan, we left when time was about right.

Arriving in Jinan, it was again nighttime. We strolled around the square, grabbed a bite. My friend was craving hotpot, so we found a place near Kuanhouli. The lady boss was super welcoming. The next day, we visited Baotu Spring and Daming Lake.

And just like that, three days came to an end. Before leaving, we had a meal of bazi rou (braised pork) — a perfect finish.

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1. Day 1: Mount Tai

2. Day 2: Qingdao

3. Day 3: Jinan

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