3 Days 2 Nights Jining Family Travel Guide | Experience Confucian Culture + Canal Charm with Kids

Jining, a seriously underrated treasure city for family trips! It boasts the profound heritage of Confucius and Mencius culture and the lively beauty of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. Spend 3 days with your kids having a fulfilling yet relaxed trip while gaining knowledge～👨👩👧👦 🌈Day 1: Pilgrimage to Confucius’ Hometown ⏰ Morning: Qufu Three Confucian Sites (Confucius Mansion, Confucius Temple, Confucius Cemetery) 📍Address: Shendao Road, Qufu City 🎫Tickets: 140 RMB combo ticket A must-visit with kids! Step into Confucius’ hometown and feel the millennia-old Confucian culture. The red walls and black tiles of the Confucius Temple are perfect for photos; remember to tell your kids the story of "Teaching at the Apricot Altar"～📚 🚗Transport: 1-hour drive from Jining city center / 15-minute taxi from Qufu East High-Speed Rail Station 🕒Hours: 8:00-17:30 (recommend going early to avoid crowds) 🍽️Noon: Qufu Lucheng Past Restaurant 📍Address: East Changchun Road, Qufu City ✨Recommended dishes: Shili Yinxing, Lubizangshu Authentic Confucius Mansion cuisine! The dishes are creatively presented, kids won’t be able to take their eyes off them👀 🚶Transport: 5-minute walk from the east gate of Confucius Temple 🕒Hours: 11:00-14:00 🌆Afternoon: Nishan Holy Land 📍Address: Nishan Town, Qufu City 🎫Tickets: 160 RMB The stunning 72-meter tall Confucius statue! The university hall is resplendent with gold and jade, and there’s a beautiful light show at night✨ 🚗Transport: 40-minute taxi from Qufu city center (recommend buying a direct shuttle ticket) 🕒Hours: Daytime 9:00-16:00 🌙Evening: Stay at Shangri-La Hotel Qufu 📍Address: No.1 Tiandehu Road, Nishan Holy Land Scenic Area 🏨Features: Kids’ playground + outdoor pool Family-friendly hotel! Rooms have views of the Confucius statue, and you can watch the light show at night🌌 💦Day 2: Canal Culture Exploration Day ⏰Morning: Jining Museum 📍Address: No.38 Guhuai Road, Rencheng District, Jining City 🎫Tickets: Free Highly recommend the Canal exhibition hall! Lots of interactive installations where kids can experience "driving a canal boat"🚢 🚌Transport: Take bus No.6 directly from downtown 🕒Hours: 9:00-16:30 (closed on Mondays) 🍽️Noon: Old Canal Wharf Restaurant 📍Address: North Bank of Old Canal, Rencheng District, Jining City 🐟Recommended dish: Weishan Lake Fish Balls Enjoy lake delicacies by the ancient wharf with a great view! Kids love the chewy texture of the fish balls😋 🌆Afternoon: Nanyang Ancient Town 📍Address: Nanyang Town, Weishan County, Jining City 🎫Tickets: 60 RMB The "Little Venice" of the North! Ride a punt boat through water alleys and buy salted duck eggs wrapped in lotus leaves🦆 🚗Transport: 1.5-hour drive from downtown (recommend chartering a car) 🌙Evening: Atour Hotel in City Center 📍Address: Jianshe Road, Rencheng District, Jining City 🏨Features: Family rooms with tents Within walking distance to the Canal Night Market, perfect for late-night snacks! 🌸Day 3: Weishan Lake Nature Tour ⏰Morning: Weishan Lake Red Lotus Wetland 📍Address: Weishan Lake Scenic Area, Weishan County 🎫Tickets: 60 RMB (includes boat ticket) In July and August, tens of thousands of red lotuses bloom. Take a boat deep into the lotus flowers! Kids can pick lotus seed pods and water caltrops～ 🚗Transport: 2-hour drive from downtown 🕒Hours: 8:00-17:00 🍽️Noon: Lakeside Fisherman’s Restaurant 🐟Must-try: Four-nostril Carp Freshly caught and cooked lake delicacies, let kids experience real fisherfolk life! 🌆Afternoon: Railway Guerrilla Memorial Park 📍Address: Weishan Island Town, Weishan County 🎫Tickets: 50 RMB The live performances are very impressive! Kids can wear little military uniforms for photos, a great place for red education 💡Useful Tips: ✨It’s recommended to hire a guide at the Three Confucian Sites (200 RMB), otherwise it’s hard to understand ✨Bring sun protection clothing and hats for the boat ride at Weishan Lake ✨Total cost about 1500 RMB per family (excluding major transportation) Save this guide, it’s all you need! Jining is truly a niche yet treasure-filled family travel destination～See you in the comments if you have questions👇