Shandong Province Atlas - (New Edition)

Author: Yin Jiamin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-07-01
Features: Shandong, abbreviated as Lu, has Jinan as its provincial capital. Located in the lower reaches of the Yellow River, on the coast of the Bohai Sea and the Yellow Sea, it borders Hebei, Henan, Anhui, and Jiangsu provinces. It is the cradle of ancient Chinese culture, and this ancient land boasts a splendid culture. Over the long course of its civilized history, it has nurtured a large number of historical figures, including Confucius and Mencius. Shandong has a temperate semi-humid monsoon climate, heavily influenced by the ocean, with an average annual temperature of 12.7°C. The frost-free period generally lasts 180-210 days, and the average annual precipitation is about 750 millimeters. Shandong is an important grain and economic crop region in China, with wheat production ranking first in the country. Corn, millet, soybeans, and sweet potatoes are also widely cultivated. Major economic crops include peanuts, cotton, tobacco, and flax. Shandong is one of the three major cotton-producing bases in northern China, as well as one of the key regions for flue-cured tobacco production and one of the four major provinces for tussah silk production. Additionally, Shandong is an important producer of temperate fruits, melons, and vegetables. Livestock farming is centered around pig breeding, while secondary industries include weaving, gathering wild plants and medicinal herbs. The coastal waters are rich in fish, shrimp, and kelp, making Shandong one of China's important marine fishing grounds. Rivers and lakes also yield freshwater fish. Shandong is renowned for its seafood, accounting for about one-fourth of the country's production. The shrimp from the Jiaodong Peninsula and the abalone from Changdao Island are considered delicacies both domestically and internationally. Shandong is also a homeland for temperate fruits. Apples, pears, and grapes are widely produced, with high-quality varieties including the Qingyuan Red Emperor from Qingdao, the Qingbanana Apple from Yantai, the Cili Pear from Laiyang, the Longbashi Pear from Huangxian, the grapes from Dazeshan, the Futo Peach from Feicheng, the honey peach from Qingzhou, the small jujubes from Le, the large jujubes from Chapi, the pomegranates from Yuncheng, the ginkgo from Heze, and the Mingsu from Tai'an, among others. Other agricultural specialties include the Dezhou watermelon, the peony from Heze, the rose from Pingyin, and the hops from Laoshan. Specialty foods include the Dezhou roasted chicken, the Jinan sorghum syrup, the sugar-coated pancakes, the Jining fermented peanuts, and the Longkou vermicelli. Craft specialties are rich and varied, including Weifang kites, antique bronze wares, Jinan feather paintings, Lu inkstones, Qingdao shell carvings, Yantai crochet and embroidery, Zibo ceramics, and glassware. As soon as visitors step onto the land of Shandong, they will immediately feel its strong folk customs. Drinking with the hearty, generous, and hospitable Shandong people, who enjoy big bowls of wine and hearty meals, and who follow the saying "three bowls of wine are enough at the pass," will leave a lasting impression with their stubbornness, resilience, and skill in "persuading" others to drink. Shandong is home to countless historical sites, scenic spots, and natural wonders: the hometown of Confucius and Mencius, the world-famous Mount Tai, the "Spring City" of Jinan, the "Capital of Qi" of Zibo, and the "Hometown of Kites" of Weifang. The profound cultural heritage of this land makes visitors feel as if they have entered a hall of history in Eastern civilization. The picturesque coastal scenery of the Jiaodong Peninsula and the "one mountain, one water, and one sage" in the heart of Shandong are renowned for their fame. A Qilu tour can follow the route of "Qufu – Mount Tai – Jinan – Yantai – Weihai – Qingdao," covering six destinations and taking about 6-10 days. High-speed roads are well-developed across Shandong, and passenger train services are also frequent, making travel by train or car very convenient.