Jining, Shandong | Visiting in the off-season during July-August is truly delightful, with fewer people and beautiful scenery

- Dear friends～😘 Summer in Jining is like a traditional ink painting, free from the crowds and full of leisure! In July and August, temperatures range from 25°C to 33°C. Although it can be a bit hot, the cool breeze under the shade and the chance to escape the heat in ancient sites make it incredibly comfortable! This is the hometown of Confucius and Mencius, rich in cultural heritage, and packed with delicious food waiting for you to try. Quickly grab this guide and start your summer journey in Jining!💖 - ➤ Must-try summer experiences in Jining 🌟 Why visit Jining in July-August? ❶ Cultural immersion: The Three Confucian Sites (Confucius Temple, Confucius Mansion, Confucius Forest) + Weishan Lake, perfect for history buffs and nature lovers alike📜 ❷ Lotus flower feast: Tens of thousands of lotus flowers bloom at Weishan Lake, cruise through the sea of flowers, breathtakingly beautiful🌸 ❸ Culinary delight: Bengrou Ganfan (braised pork with dry rice), Jining stuffed pancakes, carb happiness maxed out🍖 - ➤ Top recommended attractions 1️⃣ 【Qufu Three Confucian Sites】(5A Scenic Area · Confucian Cultural Sanctuary) 📍 Recommendation rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 🌟 Highlights: Confucius Temple, Confucius Mansion, Confucius Forest—experience the core of Confucian culture in one visit! Fewer tourists in July-August, very comfortable to explore. The red walls and green tiles against the blue sky make for perfect photos📸 🕒 Opening hours: 8:00-17:30 💰 Tickets: Combined ticket 140 RMB (includes all three sites) ✨ Magical experiences: ● Wear Hanfu and take photos in front of the Dacheng Hall at Confucius Temple for instant ancient-style masterpieces👘 ● Stroll through Confucius Forest at dusk, enjoy the cool shade, listen to cicadas, and watch the sunset🌄 ● Buy a copy of "The Analects" and get it stamped as a cultural keepsake📖 - 2️⃣ 【Weishan Lake】(Largest freshwater lake in northern China · Lotus paradise) 📍 Recommendation rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 🌟 Highlights: Lotus flowers bloom in July-August, take a small boat through the flower sea, every shot is wallpaper-worthy! You can also eat freshly picked lotus seed pods, sweet and refreshing to beat the heat～🛶 🕒 Opening hours: 8:00-18:00 💰 Tickets: Free (Boat rides 60 RMB/person) ✨ Walking guide: ● Get up early to watch the sunrise by boat, the lotus flowers in the morning mist look like a fairyland🌅 ● Try fresh lake delicacies, fish soup and shrimp cakes that are incredibly delicious🦐 ● Evening lakeside strolls, enjoy the breeze and sunset, full of romance💕 - 3️⃣ 【Nishan Sacred Land】(Birthplace of Confucius · Stunning night views) 📍 Recommendation rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 🌟 Highlights: Nighttime light shows and drone performances, with night tours available in July-August, cool and spectacular!🌌 🕒 Opening hours: 9:00-21:00 (night session starts at 17:00) 💰 Tickets: Daytime 120 RMB / Nighttime 80 RMB ✨ Time-travel tips: ● Watch the "Jin Sheng Yu Zhen" performance for an immersive Confucian cultural experience🎭 ● Night tour of Nishan with lights and water mist, ethereal atmosphere✨ ● Buy "The Analects" themed cultural products, great gifts🎁 - 4️⃣ 【Liangshan Scenic Area】(Setting of the Water Margin stories) 📍 Recommendation rating: ⭐⭐⭐ 🌟 Highlights: A must-visit for Water Margin fans! In July-August, the green trees provide shade for hiking without sunburn, plus live-action performances that are super exciting!⚔️ 🕒 Opening hours: 8:00-17:30 💰 Tickets: 60 RMB ✨ Artistic activities: ● Visit "Zhongyi Hall," cosplay as Song Jiang or Li Kui for fun photos🤣 ● Watch the "Water Margin Heroes" live performance, full of sword fights and thrills🎬 ● Buy Liangshan heroes’ liquor to savor at home🍶 - ➤ Jining 2-day perfect itinerary Day 1: Culture + Night views 08:00 Visit the Three Confucian Sites📸 → 12:00 Eat Bengrou Ganfan🍲 → 14:00 Explore Nishan Sacred Land and the academy📚 → 19:00 Watch the light show🌠 - Day 2: Nature + Food extravaganza 08:30 Boat tour on Weishan Lake to see lotus flowers🛶 → 12:00 Enjoy a whole fish feast🐟 → 15:00 Be a hero at Liangshan⚔️ → 18:00 Grab a stuffed pancake before heading back🌮 - ➤ Food highlights ❶ Bengrou Ganfan: Large chunks of pork belly stewed until tender, paired with fragrant rice that makes you lick the bowl🤤 ❷ Jining stuffed pancake: Freshly baked pancake stuffed with pork tenderloin and egg, a breakfast must-have🌮 ❸ Weishan Lake salted duck eggs: Oily yolks paired with porridge, absolutely delicious🥚 ❹ Confucius Mansion pastries: Lotus flower pastries, osmanthus cakes, sweet but not greasy🍰 - ➤ Accommodation recommendations 🏯 Ancient city homestays: Near the Qufu Three Confucian Sites, quaint and quiet at night, cool and comfortable～💤 🏨 Lakeside hotels: Resort hotels by Weishan Lake, open the window to the lake view, super healing🌊 - ➤ Transportation guide 🚄 High-speed rail: Qufu East Station / Jining North Station, 3 hours direct from Beijing 🚗 Self-driving: 2 hours from Jinan, excellent road conditions 🚌 Within the city: Buses and taxis are very convenient, attractions are close to each other - 💡 Summer travel tips ❶ Sunscreen! Sunscreen! Sunscreen! The UV rays in Jining are strong in summer, hats + sunglasses are a must🕶️ ❷ Bring mosquito repellent, there are quite a few mosquitoes by the lake🦟 ❸ Occasional rain in July-August, bring a dual-purpose umbrella☔