Shandong Province Atlas (2006 New Edition)

Author: Yin Jiamin, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-07-01
Features: Shandong, abbreviated as "Lu," has Jinan as its capital. Located in the lower reaches of the Yellow River and on the coast of the Bohai Sea and 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 cultural heritage. Over the long course of its civilized history, it has nurtured numerous 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 a major 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 the north and also a key region for flue-cured tobacco production, as well as one of the four leading provinces for mulberry silk production. Additionally, Shandong is an important producer of temperate fruits, melons, and vegetables. Livestock farming is centered around pigs, while secondary industries focus on weaving, collecting 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 land of temperate fruits. Apples, pears, and grapes are widely produced, with high-quality varieties including the Qingyuan Red Emperor apples from Qingdao, the Qingbanan apples from Yantai, the Cili pears from Laiyang, the large, long-stemmed Da Changba pears from Huangxian, the grapes from Dazeshan, the Feicheng Buddha peaches, Qingzhou honey peaches, Leiding small jujubes, Chapi large jujubes, Yuncheng pomegranates, Heze Geng persimmons, and Tai'an Mingsu dried fruits. Other agricultural specialties include Dezhou watermelons, Heze peonies, Pingyin roses, and Laoshan hops. Specialty foods include Dezhou braised chickens, Jinan Gaoliangtai, sweet and crispy pancakes, Jining pickled peanuts, and Longkou vermicelli. Handicraft 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—those who drink large bowls of wine and eat hearty meals, and who follow the saying "three bowls of wine are enough"—will leave a lasting impression with their stubbornness, tenacity, and "drinking persuasion" skills. Shandong's famous historical sites, scenic spots, and natural landscapes are countless: the hometown of Confucius and Mencius, the revered Mount Tai, the "Spring City" Jinan, the "Capital of Qi" Zibo, and Weifang, the "Hometown of Kites." The profound cultural heritage of this land makes visitors feel as if they have entered the grand hall of Eastern civilization. The picturesque coastal scenery of the Jiaodong Peninsula and the "one mountain, one water, and one sage" of Shandong's hinterland are the highlights of this route. A "Qufu – Mount Tai – Jinan – Yantai – Weihai – Qingdao" six-stop tour is recommended for a Shandong itinerary, which takes about 6-10 days. Highways are well-developed across Shandong, and passenger train services are also frequent, making travel by train or car very convenient.