Zibo is not just about barbecue, it’s a whole day of delicious food and fun
This time I came to Zibo by train. Unlike Taiwan, you need to use your ID card to buy tickets in the mainland. You can also use your Taiwan Compatriot Card to buy tickets. It is a bit more complicated, but it is also an interesting experience.
There are many options to consider at Zibo Station, including taxis, online ride-hailing services, buses, and shared electric vehicles. If you don’t have any local friends around, I would recommend other options besides taxis. Although businessmen in Zibo love tourists very much, I was once tricked by a hacker in Daming Lake, so I have some lingering fears. I don’t know if I will take one again. Black cars (of course, you have to believe that there are still many high-quality merchants!) For this trip, I hired an online car-hailing service. The price is relatively guaranteed and I don’t have to worry about passing stops.
We arrived at the first stop, Zhoucun Ancient Mall. I highly recommend this place if you come to Zibo. It’s so fun. If possible, I would like to stay here for two or three days. There is an entire ancient town hanging at the entrance that reads “Street” ” brand, it’s really fun to go shopping on the street.
In addition, the maintenance here is very good. Although there are some constructions, the streets are clean and the merchants are friendly. The merchants here will greet you to buy things, but they will not press you step by step in a very oppressive manner. Some are shouting at the door, and some are shouting at the door. Sit in the shop and immerse yourself in making handicrafts. There are many ancient craft inheritances here, which are combined with modern culture to show different styles. Each small shop is particularly interesting.
The street is a big crossroads, with different ways to go. The repetition rate is not as high as other tourist areas. There are quite a lot of special businesses, so it is suitable for people who like to explore new things.
The number one food recommendation in Zhoucun is definitely Zhoucun Shaobing. It is a snack used by the emperor in the Qing Dynasty. Even a non-eater of Shaobing likes me to eat it. It has a structure similar to a tourist factory. You can visit it without paying. There are also some in Zhoucun. Many small attractions and factories can be visited one by one for about 10 yuan, which is not expensive. Unfortunately, I went back and forth on the same day and could not visit them one by one. I will try it next time!
The next recommended food is rock sugar snow pear, which tastes a bit like frozen pear, sweet but not greasy. It can also be made into cans, which is very suitable as a souvenir!
Zibo has a different look at night than during the day. When the lanterns first come on, the trees are hung with poems and the streets are shining with colorful lights. It is really beautiful. There are some B&Bs and some night bars here, which are very suitable for a lazy night.
However, when you come to Zibo, you still have to experience barbecue!
We chose Liuhe BBQ, which is also quite famous online. If you don’t know which one to choose, actually, you can just walk around and there will be barbecues all over the road. Just find one that suits your mood and go in. That’s it! There are people singing blues, people playing rock music, and there are old people gathering to play chess, you name it.
The charm of Zibo BBQ is really great. It is packed with people as soon as you enter. Heroes of Liquor Country can order a second hand of beer in the store. Don’t worry, the chance of unscrupulous prices here in Zibo is very low, and most of them are quite fair. Those who don’t drink can indulge in their old soda (a big can of orange and white soda).
Almost all barbecue restaurants in Zibo are smoke-free, so the tables inside and outside will not be smoky. The boss will grill the food until it is medium-rare before serving it to your table, so you don't have to wait for a long time to enjoy your meal. Most of the barbecue here is marinated first. I personally have a mild taste and eat it after it is grilled. The store also provides a variety of powders for you to choose from.
The restaurant I ate is divided into upper and lower layers. The lower layer is on high flame, and the upper layer is basically for heat preservation. When it is grilled too fast and your mouth can't keep up, put it on the upper layer. The only thing I don't like is their lettuce... skewers. But it’s burnt on the outside and still cold on the inside... Why don’t you just give me a few slices of lettuce and wrap the meat and eat it, which is more enjoyable😆
But except for the lettuce, everything else comes in a skewer, and paired with the way my Shandong friend recommended it, one meat, one green onion, one pancake, plus soul sauce, it’s really delicious!
I have a small appetite and can't eat the pancake anymore, so I just pick up the green onions and gnaw on the meat. It's not spicy at all, and it's quite satisfying. I just ate the whole green onion😆
After eating and drinking, we rented a shared electric scooter and rode all the way on the road in Zibo. The refreshing feeling invaded our hearts, as if the morning heat had disappeared without a trace.
If you don’t want to go back yet, you can go back to the big square in the middle of Zhoucun Ancient Mall to sit on the double swing and read ancient poetry at night. Zibo is a good place to stay for a few days.
The above recommendations:
Must-visit free attractions include Zhoucun Ancient Shopping Mall, cheap shared bicycles (starting at 2 yuan), Zibo Barbecue (average 120 yuan per person for super full meals and takeaways), and souvenirs consider Zhoucun Shaobing and Rock Sugar Snow Pear Cans (15 yuan) , handicrafts