Jiangbei Water City, the City of Canals - Liaocheng, Shandong

- Location: Located in the western part of Shandong, bordering Jinan and Tai'an to the southeast, bordering Henan Province to the south, bordering Handan and Xingtai to the west, bordering Dezhou to the north and northeast. - Origin of the name: Due to the abundant water resources in the city, there is Dongchang Lake, the largest urban lake in northern China. The Grand Canal, Tuhai River, and more than 30 other rivers and streams run through the city, forming a unique landscape of "city within a lake, lake within a city, city and lake as one." Therefore, it is called "Jiangbei Water City." - Historical evolution: Liaocheng has a history of more than 5,000 years. It was an important city-state of the Qi state during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the Grand Canal was well-developed, and it was known as "the throat of the canal, the elbow of the capital, and a metropolis in Jiangbei." - Cultural heritage: It is a national historical and cultural city. The Yellow River culture and the Grand Canal culture are intertwined here. There are more than 400 cultural relics and historical sites in the city. Six heritage sites and two sections of the river are included in the World Cultural Heritage List of the Grand Canal. - Dongchang Lake: A national 4A-level scenic area with a total area of 5 square kilometers. You can take a boat to enjoy the scenery and experience the charm of the water city. - Water area: Located in the central urban area of Liaocheng, it consists of 10 lake areas and 20 water surfaces, with a total area of 6.3 square kilometers and a coastline of 16 kilometers. - Historical origin: It was built in the third year of the Xining era of the Northern Song Dynasty, and it was built on the basis of the original moat. - Water quality characteristics: The water source is the Yellow River. The water depth is 3-5 meters all year round. The lake water is clear and there is no industrial pollution. - Natural landscape: The lake water is clear and green, with sparkling waves, and the lake and sky are connected. The coastline is winding, the vegetation is rich, and it presents a unique landscape of "city within a lake, lake within a city, city and lake as one." - Cultural heritage: The ancient Grand Canal runs through the scenic area. Guangyue Tower, Iron Tower, and Shanxi-Shaanxi Guild Hall are located on the lake. "Water Margin" and "Liaozhai" are historical and literary masterpieces with historical origins. - Culinary specialties: - Guada: With a history of more than 200 years, the dough is a mixture of scalded and dead dough, and the fillings include meat, vegetarian, and wind-stirred snow. It is fried until golden on both sides, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and not greasy. - Wei's smoked chicken: Originated in the Jiaqing era of the Qing Dynasty, using high-quality fat and tender live chicken, marinated in old soup and then smoked with sawdust, with a dark red color, tight skin and tendons, and a strong aroma. - Dong'a Yellow River carp: Dong'a carp, the "hometown of Yellow River carp" in Dong'a, has a slender body and is rich in nutrients. Sweet and sour Yellow River carp is a representative method, with beautiful shape, moderate acidity and sweetness, and crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. - Gaotang donkey meat: Donkey bone broth, simmered with various spices, with a sauce-red color, not scattered, refreshing and palatable, can be used as an appetizer or served with fire-roasted meat. - Guanxian crispy meat: Mainly made of mutton and pork, marinated and then fried with batter. It can be eaten dry or stewed in soup, sprinkled with coriander and chili oil, fragrant and crispy. - Linqing ten-flavor noodles: Noodles are hand-rolled, with more than 10 kinds of ingredients and side dishes, and then served with pickled vegetables, fermented bean curd, and tomato and egg sauce, meat sauce. After stirring evenly, the taste is rich.