[2025 Zibo Restaurant] Travel Guide for Xiaohanyang Barbecue (Updated Oct)

📍 Highlights: Barbecue feast, Qi culture exploration, ceramic and glass art, mountain and water hidden gems 👫 Suitable for: Foodie special forces, history enthusiasts, artsy youth, families with children 💰 Budget reference: 800-1500 RMB per person (including round-trip transportation from Jinan/Qingdao) 📅 Itinerary Day 1: Barbecue pilgrimage & Qi culture time travel 🚄 Morning: Arrive in Zibo 30 minutes by high-speed train from Jinan / 1.5 hours from Qingdao to Zibo Station, recommended to take a taxi or rent an electric scooter (city attractions are concentrated) Accommodation options: Zhangdian District (core barbecue battlefield, recommended "Yinzuo Jing Su" near Wanxianghui) Linzi District (for Qi culture lovers, choose "Qiyun Hotel") 🔥 Noon: Soulful barbecue (queue from 10:30!) Muyangcun Barbecue (4+ hour queue) Locals’ secret alternatives: Wu’s Barbecue (old shop on Jinjing Avenue, mix of lean and fatty meat) Xiao Han Yang Barbecue (freshly cut meat, unseasoned purist style) Must-order formula: small pancake + scallions + sauce + pork belly, paired with garlic chili sauce 🏛️ Afternoon: Millennium dialogue Qi Culture Museum (free, Linzi District, 40 minutes by car) Treasure: Warring States bronze tableware (ancient hot pot set) Hidden feature: VR time travel to Spring and Autumn battlefield Football Museum (free, birthplace of world football) 🌃 Evening: Night tour of the new hotspot Haidailou Zhongshu Pavilion (free, one of China’s most beautiful bookstore night scenes) Photo spots: mirrored ceiling + Qi culture themed bookshelves Shuijing Street Night Market (try "fried pancake" if barbecue gets boring) Day 2: Ceramic and glass art & natural healing 🏺 Early morning: Boshan ceramic and glass day (1 hour by car / K1 bus) Boshan Ceramic and Glass Art Center (50 RMB ticket): Watch glass hot shaping show (10:00/14:00 sessions) DIY experience: blow glass ornaments (198 RMB/person) Yanshen Ancient Town (39 RMB ticket, cultural street renovated from ancient kiln site) 🍲 Noon: Boshan cuisine feast Sisi Xi Restaurant (must order: tofu box, fried spring rolls, crispy pot) Carb supplement: Jiaozhuang sesame seed cake (brown sugar + meat filling combo) ⛰️ Afternoon: Natural therapy Tanxi Mountain (80 RMB ticket, glass bridge + cliff hotel): Stunning autumn red leaves, summer high-altitude rafting Lazy option: Xiaofu River Wetland Park (free, city camping) 🌙 Evening: Barbecue encore or artsy night Badaju Convenience Market (morning market turns night market, new internet celebrity): "Old Bai San Meatball" fried pancake "Uncle Deshan" grilled chicken rack Or Zibo Grand Theater (immersive performance on Qi Kingdom theme) Day 3: Off-the-beaten-path secrets & return 🌄 Early morning: Ancient village sunrise Niuji’an (free, cliffside ancient village, 1.5 hours by car) Check in at 400-year-old ancient locust tree, eat farmhouse clay pot chicken Or Zhoucun Ancient Mall (60 RMB ticket, filming location of the big dyeing workshop) 🛍️ Morning: Souvenir shopping Must-buy list: Glass crafts (Boshan "Xiye Workshop" handmade) Zhoucun sesame seed cake (thin and crispy, look for "Zhoucun" trademark) Qingmeiju crispy beef jerky (century-old brand) 🍜 Noon: Final bowl of "Zibo flavor" Lao Ze Private Kitchen (pig trotters + rolled pancakes with rice) Or Old Sun’s near train station (mutton soup + fried dough) 🚄 Return: Recommend afternoon train (can bring barbecue pancakes on board) 💡 Local insider tips ✔ Transportation: Riding shared electric scooters in Zhangdian District is most convenient (barbecue shops concentrated within 3 km) Boshan/Linzi recommend chartering a car (about 400 RMB/day) or joining a day tour ✔ Accommodation tips: Book 2 weeks in advance on weekends! Prefer near People’s Park For quiet stay, choose Zichuan District (30% cheaper than Zhangdian) ✔ Pitfall avoidance: Avoid "trendy new barbecue shops," find smoky old brands Buy glass crafts labeled "Boshan origin," roadside goods in scenic spots are mostly Yiwu wholesale ✔ Seasonal specials: April: Zibo Barbecue Festival (citywide carnival) September: Qi Culture Festival (cuju football performance + cultural relics exhibition) December: Tanxi Mountain Icefall Light Festival 🔥 Zibo is more than just barbecue! Three days and two nights, from the clashing swords of the Warring States to the fiery forging of glass, finally understanding the down-to-earth nature of Shandong people through everyday life~

【3 days 2 nights, about 2700 RMB per person! Zibo Guide: The lively human world beyond barbecue】 Day 1: Arrive at **Zibo Station** by high-speed train (1-2 hours direct from Beijing/Jinan/Qingdao, round trip about 400 RMB), check in to a comfortable hotel in Zhangdian or Linzi district (such as Blue Ocean International, 350 RMB/night × 2 = 700 RMB). In the afternoon, visit 【Haidai Tower · Zhongshu Bookstore】— one of China’s most beautiful bookstores, perfect for photos and city views. In the evening, stroll through 【Crystal Street Night Market】, try crispy pot, fried liver, milk popsicles, and experience the lively nightlife. Day 2: In the morning, explore the 【Qi Culture Museum】 (free) + 【Football Museum】, travel through the thousand-year-old Qi capital and learn about the origin of “Cuju” (ancient football). In the afternoon, visit 【Tanxi Mountain Ecotourism Area】 (80 RMB ticket, including glass bridge), featuring cliff walkways and high-altitude waterfalls, with stunning autumn red leaves. The highlight at night: **book a local-recommended barbecue restaurant** (Mu Yang Village / Xiao Han Yang, about 80 RMB per person), and experience the soul of the “small pancake + scallion + meat” three-piece combo. Day 3: Visit the 【China Ceramics and Glass Museum】 (free, national first-class museum) to see Zibo’s millennia-old craftsmanship; optionally visit 【Yanshen Ancient Town】 (free) — Ming and Qing dynasty kiln ruins, perfect for artistic photos. For lunch, taste Zhoucun sesame seed cakes, Boshan tofu boxes, and vegetable pancakes. Return before 2:00 PM. 💰Budget breakdown: Transport 400 + Accommodation 700 + Food 600 + Attractions about 100 + Barbecue + Miscellaneous 900 ≈ **2700 RMB** 📌Tips: - Barbecue must be booked in advance, weekends are fully booked; - It’s recommended to visit Tanxi Mountain early to avoid crowds; - The ceramics museum gift shop offers handmade small items. ⚠️Avoid: ❌ “Barbecue shuttle buses” outside the station charge exorbitantly, taxi or public transport is recommended; ❌ The “internet-famous grilled eggs” at the night market have long lines and low cost-performance. Three days and two nights, more than just one barbecue. Zibo is the ancient capital of the Qi State, rich in cultural heritage and vibrant nightlife. Come here to feel the breeze of ceramics and glass, explore secret mountain and water landscapes, and through a string of lively scenes, understand the passion and rebirth of a city.

Day 1: The Light of Ceramics and the City's Heartbeat -Morning: The Eternal Kiln Fire* Step into the China Ceramics and Glaze Museum, where 150,000 exhibits unfold the epic history of ceramic civilization. The rustic charm of Warring States black pottery, the elegance of Yuan Dynasty blue-and-white porcelain, and the jade-like luster of modern Zibo ceramics tell the story of clay’s rebirth through shifting light and shadow. In the glaze workshop, glassblowing performances spark flying embers, and you can even mold clay with your own hands. -Afternoon: Overlooking Qi Land from the Book Pavilion* The Haidai Tower Clock Book Pavilion is hailed as "China’s Most Beautiful Bookstore" (the top-floor viewing platform offers a must-capture panoramic view of Qisheng Lake). The mirrored dome extends into an infinite sea of books. The sunken design cleverly incorporates Qi culture’s bronze patterns (shooting from a low angle creates a stunning effect). In the cultural and creative area, find unique souvenirs like cuju-themed coasters and Qi tile rubbings. -Evening: The Ritual of Barbecue Culture* The "Xiao Han Yang" barbecue restaurant buzzes with lively crowds, as lamb belly sizzles over charcoal. The ritual of dipping small pancakes in sauce and wrapping meat skewers, paired with local "Lü Lansha" beer, captures the soul flavor of Zibo’s vibrant street life (menu highlights: pork belly with skin, horsefish). --- Itinerary Map 08:30-12:00 China Ceramics and Glaze Museum (in-depth exhibition + hands-on experience) 12:00-13:30 Lu cuisine restaurant next to the museum (tofu box, fried spring rolls) 14:00-16:30 Haidai Tower Clock Book Pavilion (reading + sightseeing + cultural shopping) 17:30-20:00 Crystal Street barbecue experience (reservation recommended to avoid queues) --- Accommodation Guide ▷ Luxury Choice: Qisheng International Hotel (lake view rooms overlooking Qisheng Lake) ▷ Artistic Choice: Tangzhuang City Bookroom Hotel (book pavilion-themed design) ▷ Cost-effective Choice: Ginza Jing Su (convenient transportation in Wanxianghui business district) --- Day 2: Mountain and Water Secrets and Ancient Town Time -Early Morning: Lushan Sea of Clouds Lung-Cleansing Journey* Lushan National Forest Park boasts 98% forest coverage, with valleys and waterfalls like dragons exploring deep pools. The glass plank road hangs over a hundred-meter abyss, and the summit of Lushan offers the best sunrise view of the golden sea of clouds. -Afternoon: The Rebirth of Kilns in Yanshen Ancient Town* Boshan Yanshen Ancient Town is transformed from 13 ancient kilns. At the "Raindrop Glaze" workshop, craftsmen use bamboo knives to paint dots. In the studio of clay sculptor Zhang Xinzhong, adorable clay dolls are drying. -Dusk: The Century-Old Feast of Boshan Cuisine* The "Jiangnan Renjia" restaurant serves the Boshan 44 Banquet: tofu box hiding eight treasures, glazed meat with a translucent sugar crust, and clear amber-like meatball soup. Paired with a cup of green plum wine, it evokes the lively urban scenes in "The Golden Lotus." --- Itinerary Map 07:00-12:00 Lushan National Forest Park (hiking and waterfall viewing) 12:30-13:30 Lushan farmhouse (stir-fried pepper buds, free-range chicken) 14:30-17:30 Yanshen Ancient Town (ancient kiln exploration + hands-on experience) 18:30-20:30 Jiangnan Renjia 44 Banquet (reservation three days in advance) --- Day 3: Qi Capital’s Turbulence and Civilization Codes -Morning: The Time-Space Fold of the Ancient City Ruins* The Linzi Qi State Ancient City Ruins have drainage pipes that predate Rome’s by 600 years. The horse sacrifice pit holds the remains of 600 war horses like a frozen epic, recalling Guan Zhong’s hegemonic ambition to "unite the lords." -Afternoon: The Millennium Carnival on the Cuju Field* The Football Museum prominently displays the Han Dynasty "Jucheng Inscription" rubbing and the Song Dynasty "Changchun Hundred Children" painting vividly depicting children competing on the field. In the interactive area, try bamboo-woven cuju and discover that Zibo is actually the birthplace of football! -Dusk: The Bronze Symphony at the Ancient Vehicle Museum* The Houli site’s chariot and horse pit revealed Shang and Zhou dynasty war chariots. The Spring and Autumn period four-horse chariot is equipped with bronze crossbows, and the mortise and tenon structure of the wheel hubs is as precise as Swiss watches. --- Must-Try List ▶ Zhoucun Sesame Cake: thin, crispy, and fragrant (old shop near Wang Village Vinegar Museum in Zhoucun Ancient Market) ▶ Happy Rice Dumplings: glutinous rice fried and coated with sugar glaze (pushcart stall on Boshan Old Street) ▶ Jinling Braised Beef: secret recipe from a Hui Muslim old shop (vacuum-packed for travel) --- A Taste Route Through Time and Space || Historical Timeline | Culinary Landmarks | Visual Feasts | |-----------|--------------------|------------------|------------------| | Day 1 | Ceramic Civilization Epic | Xiao Han Yang Barbecue | Haidai Tower Light Show | | Day 2 | Ancient Kiln Rebirth | 44 Banquet Feast | Lushan Sea of Clouds | | Day 3 | Qi Capital Ruins | Zhoucun Sesame Cake | War Chariot Array | Touch the flow of civilization in the light and shadow of glaze, savor the lively spirit of the city in the smoke of barbecue, and the thousand-year cultural lineage of the ancient Qi capital has never been so vivid. When the last skewer of meat is wrapped in a small pancake, you will understand how this city transforms three thousand years of history into the magic of everyday fireworks—this is Zibo’s unique time travel journey. > As the lights come on, the golden outline of Haidai Tower reflects on Qisheng Lake’s surface. > The bubbles blown by glaze artisans freeze into an eternal starry sky in the light and shadow, > And the barbecue smoke that crosses the wars of the Warring States and Han dynasty > Has quietly imprinted itself as cinnabar on every traveler’s heart.

Zibo's barbecue, if you don't queue up, is still very delicious. Now there are obviously fewer people. If you are traveling nearby, you can take half a day to flash quickly. If you bring children, I highly recommend the Football Museum, where there are few people, free of charge, and not afraid of rain! ✅Eight Great Bureaus I personally feel that it is not suitable for children Now the limelight has passed and there are not many people. Only purple rice cakes are queuing up, and there are not many people elsewhere. The fridge magnets are very good, you can take one away The place where the fan is painted has been moved to the big shed, just ask the security guard, the sign is very clear ✅Linzhi Football Museum A very niche free museum, there is also a Qi Culture Museum next to it. 🚗Own parking lot The world's first professional football museum 🔹The history of football for more than 2400 years, its origin and spread 🔹Encyclopedia of football in various countries 🔹Folk culture such as handball 🔹Collections such as star autographed photos, preserved jerseys, etc. ✅Xiaohan Lamb Barbecue The location is convenient and it is open at noon The taste is not bad, the lamb is the best Children love their chicken wings and corn, which are marinated in advance and very flavorful You can park at the door, you have to arrive early on weekends to queue up for a number.