4-Day Jining Tour | Classic Combination of the Three Confucian Sites and Weishan Lake・All-Age Friendly Guide

Jining is the birthplace of Confucian culture, home to the Three Confucian Sites (Confucius Temple, Confucius Mansion, Confucius Forest) with a millennium of cultural heritage, the vast lotus fields of Weishan Lake, and the heroic spirit of Liangshan. Listen to ancient music with the elderly at the Confucius Temple, accompany children picking lotus pods at Weishan Lake—here, every day is a chance to encounter profound culture and vibrant nature. 🗓️ Itinerary Overview Day 1: Arrive in Jining → Qufu Three Confucian Sites (Confucius Temple → Confucius Mansion → Confucius Forest) Day 2: Nishan Holy Land → Zoucheng Mencius Temple and Mansion Day 3: Weishan Lake Tourist Area → Railway Guerrilla Memorial Park Day 4: Water Margin Liangshan Scenic Area → Return trip 🎩 Day 1: Pilgrimage to the Three Confucian Sites・Tracing Cultural Roots 📍 Confucius Temple (5A, combined ticket 140 RMB includes Confucius Mansion and Confucius Forest) Highlights: Known as "The First Temple Under Heaven," it is the sacred site for worshiping Confucius. The dragon-carved stone pillars in the Dacheng Hall are exceptional, and ancient cypresses have witnessed over 2,000 years of history. Elderly visitors can listen to guides tell the story of "Confucius Traveling the States," while children learn the master-apprentice bowing ceremony (20 RMB/person) in front of the "Apricot Altar," experiencing the tradition of respecting teachers. 🕙 Opening Hours: 8:00-17:30, recommended visit 9:00-12:00 💰 Cost: Combined ticket for the Three Confucian Sites 140 RMB; free admission for seniors over 60 and children under 1.4 meters 📸 Photo Spot: In front of Dacheng Hall (take photos with the "Model Teacher for All Ages" plaque; wearing Hanfu makes for great pictures) 💡 Tips: Wheelchair rental available (30 RMB/day); many ancient cypresses provide cool shade in summer, perfect for strolling. 📍 Confucius Mansion (included in combined ticket) Highlights: The "First Family Under Heaven," home to Confucius’s descendants, featuring the "First Blessing Under Heaven" screen wall and the "All Under Heaven is for the Public" plaque at the inner gate. Elderly visitors can view the restored "Confucius Mansion Banquet" tableware, while children feed fish in the garden and learn about ancient aristocratic family life. 🕙 Recommended time: 13:30-15:00 📍 Confucius Forest (included in combined ticket) Highlights: The world’s largest family cemetery, including Confucius’s tomb and a cypress planted by his disciple Zigong. Elderly visitors can take a sightseeing bus (20 RMB/person), and children can learn Chinese characters at the "Stele Forest," experiencing the tradition of "respecting ancestors and cherishing the past." 🕙 Recommended time: 15:30-17:00 🍜 Dining Recommendation: "Confucius Mansion Banquet Restaurant" in Qufu city, must-try dishes include Confucius Mansion Tofu (38 RMB/serving) and smoked tofu (18 RMB/serving), average cost 50 RMB per person, light and suitable for elderly and children. 🏨 Accommodation Recommendation: "Qufu Queli Inn" near the Three Confucian Sites (family rooms available, 5-minute walk to Confucius Temple), priced 350-500 RMB/night, charming and traditional. ⛩️ Day 2: Enlightenment at Nishan・Confucian Taste at Mencius Mansion 📍 Nishan Holy Land (4A, ticket 100 RMB) Highlights: Birthplace of Confucius, featuring a giant Confucius statue (72 meters tall) that is awe-inspiring. The live performance "Golden Sound and Jade Vibration" (120 RMB/person) reenacts Confucius’s life. Elderly visitors can attend free Confucian lectures at the "Great Learning Hall," while children enjoy interactive games at the "Children’s Analects Museum." Early morning mist at Nishan creates a fairyland atmosphere. 🕙 Opening Hours: 8:30-21:00, recommended visit 9:00-13:00 📸 Photo Spot: Plaza in front of the Confucius statue (best lighting at sunrise for photos with the statue) 📍 Zoucheng Mencius Temple and Mansion (4A, ticket 40 RMB) Highlights: Memorial site for the "Second Sage" Mencius. The ancient cypress "Cypress Embracing Locust" in Mencius Temple is a marvel, and the "Seven Articles of Advice" plaque in Mencius Mansion reflects his philosophy. Elderly visitors can hear the story of "Mencius’s Mother Moving Three Times," while children check in at the "Hometown of Mencius" stone tablet, feeling the legacy of Confucian culture. 🕙 Opening Hours: 8:30-17:30, recommended visit 14:30-16:30 🌿 Day 3: Lotus Viewing at Weishan Lake・Red Island History 📍 Weishan Lake Tourist Area (5A, ticket 60 RMB + boat ticket 70 RMB) Highlights: Known as "China’s Lotus Capital," with tens of thousands of acres of lotus blooming in summer. Take a boat to Weishan Island, see reed marshes and flying gulls. Elderly visitors enjoy the lake view from the bow, children pick lotus pods (10 RMB each) and feed fish. The "Silent on Weishan Lake" scene from "Railway Guerrillas" is right before your eyes. 🕙 Opening Hours: 8:00-18:00, recommended visit 9:00-14:00 📸 Photo Spot: Wooden boardwalk in the lotus fields (wear white clothes for stunning photos standing among the lotus) 💡 Tips: Bring mosquito repellent in summer; boat trip lasts 1 hour, bring motion sickness medicine. 📍 Railway Guerrilla Memorial Park (free) Highlights: A red revolutionary site on Weishan Island, with a monument and museum. The live performance "Railway Guerrillas" (15:00, free) reenacts battles against Japanese invaders. Elderly visitors can view the "Old Gun Exhibition" and reminisce, children can dress as guerrilla fighters (30 RMB/set) for photos, feeling the heroic spirit. 🕙 Recommended time: 15:00-16:30 🍜 Dining Recommendation: "Fisherman’s Feast" on Weishan Island, must-try dishes include the full fish feast from Weishan Lake (80 RMB/serving) and lotus leaf porridge (10 RMB/bowl), average cost 60 RMB per person, fresh and sweet lake flavors. 🏔️ Day 4: Liangshan Sword Discussion・Return Trip 📍 Water Margin Liangshan Scenic Area (4A, ticket 60 RMB) Highlights: The setting of the classic "Water Margin" stories, featuring the Loyalty Hall and Gathering Hall. Visitors can wear hero costumes (50 RMB/set) for photos and watch the "Wu Song Fights the Tiger" drama (11:00, free). Elderly visitors can take a sightseeing bus (30 RMB/person) up the mountain, children can try archery (20 RMB/10 arrows), experiencing the bold spirit of "eating big meat and drinking big bowls of wine." 🕙 Opening Hours: 8:00-17:00, recommended visit 9:00-13:00 📸 Photo Spot: In front of Loyalty Hall (take a family photo with the "Heroes Gathering" theme, holding the "Acting on Heaven’s Will" flag) 💡 Tips: Many stone steps on the mountain, elderly should proceed according to their ability; free tasting of "Hero Wine" (low alcohol, suitable for elderly) available. 🍜 Dining Recommendation: "Water Margin Restaurant" in Liangshan County, must-try dishes include Wu Dalang’s baked flatbread (5 RMB each) and Yuncheng Zhuangmo bread (10 RMB/serving), average cost 35 RMB per person, authentic local flavor. ✨ Jining Survival Guide 1️⃣ Transportation: From Jining city to Qufu by high-speed train (17 minutes, 19 RMB) + bus; to Weishan Lake by tourist shuttle (20 RMB/person, 2 hours); to Liangshan by bus route C608 (10 RMB/person, 1.5 hours). 2️⃣ Clothing: Wear light jackets in spring and autumn (Weishan Lake and Liangshan are windy), short sleeves plus sun protection in summer (strong UV in lotus fields), down jackets and non-slip shoes in winter (snow at the Three Confucian Sites and Nishan), and comfortable sports shoes. 3️⃣ Etiquette: No loud noises or stepping on thresholds inside the Three Confucian Sites and Mencius Temple; fishing prohibited during Weishan Lake’s fishing ban period (April-June); no climbing on ancient buildings in Liangshan Scenic Area. 4️⃣ Accommodation: Stay in Qufu near the Three Confucian Sites for the first two days; at Weishan Lake, stay in island homestays (200-300 RMB/night), choose rooms with electric kettles for children and elevator rooms for elderly. 🛍️ Must-Buy Souvenirs ① Qufu Kai Carvings (small ornaments 50-100 RMB, mainly Confucius statues and ruyi scepters, intangible cultural heritage craft) ② Weishan Lake Salted Duck Eggs (gift box 40 RMB/box, rich yolk, loved by elderly and children) ③ Water Margin Cultural Products (hero bookmarks 20 RMB each, Li Kui dolls 30 RMB each, great gifts for kids) ④ Jining Pickled Vegetables (vacuum-packed 25 RMB/bottle, moderately sweet and spicy, perfect with porridge or rice) The story of Jining is engraved on the steles of the Three Confucian Sites, reflected in the lotus flowers of Weishan Lake, and hidden in the loyalty of Liangshan. Whether you bring your parents to trace roots at the Confucius Temple, accompany children picking lotus pods at Weishan Lake, or become a "hero" with friends at Liangshan, here you will find culture and camaraderie that calm your heart. If you come to Jining, would you first visit the Three Confucian Sites to pay respects or listen to boat songs at Weishan Lake?