Qingdao--Roof tiles and green trees, blue sea and blue sky

Author: Dongdong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-03-01
Features: When people mention Qingdao, they immediately think of it as a bustling modern city and a world-famous summer resort. The villas are built along the mountains and roads, with lush green trees lining the sides of the paths. There are also buildings with red tiles and white walls, creating a striking contrast of red and green, offering a unique landscape. The sea surrounds Qingdao on three sides, especially the area known locally as "Qianhai'an," which is even more picturesque. Laoshan, the third-highest mountain in Shandong, stands in the suburbs of Qingdao. Laoshan is located on the edge of the Yellow Sea, with its southeastern sides facing the sea. The interplay of mountain and sea creates an endless array of scenery, adding a sense of mystery to the place, making it a destination for famous scholars, monks, and Taoist practitioners throughout history. Even the emperors Qin Shi Huang and Han Wudi considered Laoshan a "grotto of immortals." Today, Laoshan remains dotted with ancient temples and trees, with stone steps and waterfalls cascading throughout the mountain, captivating visitors.
Qingdao is home to Neolithic era sites like Sanlihe, as well as famous historical landmarks such as the Qi Great Wall, Tianheng Island, Langya Terrace, and Zhushan Grottoes. The footsteps of ancient celebrities like Zheng Xuan, Qiu Changchun, Zhang Sanfeng, Li Bai, Gu Yanwu, Pu Songling, Gao Fenghan, and Kang Youwei can be found all over the region, leaving behind magnificent poems and writings. Comrade Chen Yi once wrote in his poetry: "Look at the sea and sky, their blue shines upon the city. Look at the pines and cypresses, their green tints the peaks." As the saying goes, "To see mountains, visit Tai Shan; to see history, visit Qufu; to see scenery, visit Hangzhou; to see all three, visit Qingdao." This perfectly captures the exquisite beauty and divine touch of Qingdao.
Shandong Province is located in the eastern part of China, in the lower reaches of the Yellow River. It borders the Bohai Sea and the Yellow Sea to the east and faces the Korean Peninsula and the Japanese archipelago across the seas. Along the eastern coastline of Shandong, there are picturesque coastal cities: Qingdao is hailed as the "Pearl of the Yellow Sea," with its unique charm in the scenery of Qianhai. Laoshan is a Taoist sacred site, rich in historical landmarks. Yantai, known as the "Hometown of Fish and Fruits," is celebrated for its beautiful scenery and pleasant climate. Penglaige in Penglai is called the "Paradise on Earth," and Weihai is known as the "Garden by the Sea."
The history of Shandong dates back over 5,000 years and is one of the cradles of Chinese culture. In Shandong, the earliest Chinese script—the "Daowukou Pottery Inscriptions"—and the "Longshan Pottery Books" from Dinggong Village in Zou County were discovered. The earliest city-state in China—the "Chengziya Longshan Ancient City"—was unearthed here. Shandong also boasts the earliest existing Great Wall in China—the Qi Great Wall. The province is also one of the birthplaces of ceramics and silk.
Shandong's tourism can be divided into six distinctive routes:
1. The "Mountains, Waters, and Saints" tour, extending from Jinan, Tai'an, and Qufu to Zoucheng (a pilgrimage to the sacred land of Qufu).
2. The coastal tourism area featuring Qingdao, Yantai, and Weihai.
3. The folk tourism area centered around Weifang City, focusing on kites, Yangjiabu woodblock prints, and local customs.
4. The Qi culture tourism area, centered around the ancient city of Qi in Zibo, the horse burial pits, and Pu Songling's former residence.
5. The Dongying Yellow River Estuary tourism area, characterized by the spectacular sight of the Yellow River flowing into the sea and its primitive landscapes.
6. The "Water Margin" tourism route, with Shandong as the backdrop, focusing on the stories of the Water Margin, with Liangshan and Yanggu as the key destinations.