Jining, the hometown of Confucius and Mencius, a land of propriety.
"Isn't it a pleasure to have friends coming from afar?"—This famous quote from the *Analects* perfectly captures the warmth and hospitality of Jining, Shandong!
📖 As the hometown of Confucius and Mencius and the capital of the Grand Canal, Jining boasts not only a profound cultural heritage but also incredibly soothing natural scenery—a hidden gem perfect for photo ops! 🌟
1️⃣ Nishan Sacred Land—An Immersive Experience of Chinese Classical Learning Across a Thousand Years
✅ 72-meter-tall Confucius statue: A breathtaking sight! Absolutely sacred in the sunlight, and a light show at night!
✅ University Hall: The interior is so magnificent it'll make you scream! The Hall of Benevolence, Righteousness, Propriety, Wisdom, and Trustworthiness, plus a hands-on experience of copying the *Analects*, immerses you in the atmosphere of traditional Chinese learning.
✅ "Golden Voice and Jade Resonance" performance (highly recommended): An 80-minute audio-visual feast, telling the story of the sage's life, with stunning stage design!
📌Tips: A must-see for nighttime visitors! Drone fireworks show + water screen projection—it's unbelievably dreamlike!
2️⃣ Nishan Luyuan Village – A Hidden Artistic Ancient Village at the Foot of the Mountain
🏡Style: White walls and gray tiles + rice paddy scenery, like stepping into a traditional Chinese ink painting.
🌸Features:
✅Homestay Cluster: Recommended "Nishan Academy" or "Luyuan Homestay," open the window to a view of the mountains and countryside~🌿
✅Handicraft Experiences: Paper cutting, rubbing, pottery… a must-try for families with children!
✅Countryside Cafe: Enjoy afternoon tea by the rice paddies, incredibly therapeutic for photos! ☕
📌Tips: The village is small, perfect for an evening stroll to experience the slow pace of rural life.
3️⃣ Qufu Three Confucian Sites – A Pilgrimage Site of Confucian Culture
📍Confucius Temple: The place where Confucius was worshipped throughout history, with its inscriptions and ancient trees exuding a strong sense of history! 📍Confucius Mansion: Residence of Confucius' descendants, exquisite Ming and Qing dynasty architecture!
📍Confucius Cemetery: The world's largest family cemetery, a tranquil environment perfect for peace of mind.
4️⃣Weishan Lake—The largest freshwater lake north of the Yangtze River, bursting with lotus blossoms!
✅Summer Lotus Viewing (July-August): Ten thousand acres of lotus ponds, a real-life version of "lotus leaves stretching to the sky, an endless expanse of green!" 🪷
✅Boating on the Lake: The reed marshes are incredibly soothing, and you can even see fishermen training eagles to catch fish!
✅Red Education: The Railway Guerrilla Memorial Hall is located on the island!
🍤Food: A must-try "Whole Fish Feast"! Carp soup, fried lotus flowers, salted duck eggs…it's so delicious it'll make your eyebrows fall off!
🍜Food Recommendation—A Delight for Rice Lovers!
1️⃣Braised Pork Rice: Jining's ultimate snack! Meat with a perfect balance of lean and fatty meat + rice, it's incredibly fragrant!
2️⃣Confucius Mansion Cuisine: A must-order for high-end banquets! Bring a braised pork knuckle, ginkgo nuts for a refined dining experience… perfect for a sense of occasion!
3️⃣ Weishan Lake Carp: Braised or sweet and sour, the meat is so tender it melts in your mouth!
4️⃣ Sandwich: The soul of the night market! Fried skewers sandwiched in a sandwich – a carb bomb of happiness!
5️⃣ San Tang (a type of soup): A must-have for breakfast! Chicken soup with wheat kernels and an egg, warming you up all day long!
✈️ Transportation Guide
🚄 High-speed rail: Qufu East Station (15-minute drive from Nishan)
🚗 By car: The attractions are spread out, so driving is recommended!
🚌 Local: Public transport is a bit slow; using Didi (a ride-hailing app) is more convenient.
💡 Important Notes
🌟 Respect etiquette in cultural scenic areas.
🌟 The best season for Weishan Lake is summer, but the Three Confucius Sites (Confucius Temple, Confucius Cemetery, and Confucius Mansion) can be visited year-round!
🌟 Wear warm clothes for nighttime visits to Nishan, as the mountain breeze can be cool at night!