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Top 10 attractions in Qingzhou

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No. 3 of Night Attractions in Shandong

Ancient Town of Qingzhou

8.1

4.5/5

4.6k reviews

Qingzhou is one of the ancient nine provinces of China. Since the early Western Han Dynasty, six cities—Guang County, Guanggu City, Dongyang City, Nanyang City, Dongguan Weizi City, and Qicheng—were successively built on this land, with a continuous urban history spanning over two thousand years. Today, the Ancient Town of Qingzhou has been comprehensively protected and restored, forming three major districts: the Beiguan ancient block in Dongyang City, the Ouyuan historical and cultural block and the South Gate block in Nanyang City, and the Zhaode ancient block in Dongguan Weizi City. Government buildings, traditional residences, and classical gardens are scattered across hundreds of ancient streets and alleys, such as North Gate Street and East Gate Street, with their blue bricks and dark tiles showcasing distinct Ming and Qing architectural styles. Unlike many entirely reconstructed ancient towns, this is a "living ancient town," where original residents still live in the old streets and alleys, and intangible cultural heritage items like the cuoqin are passed down on the streets, blending the vibrancy of daily life with ancient charm. A visit can begin by ascending the Fucai Gate Tower at the south gate of ancient Nanyang City for a panoramic view of the town's sea of dark tiles. Ouyuan is a preserved classical garden within the town, originally the eastern garden of the Ming Dynasty's Prince of Heng's residence and later the private garden of Feng Pu, a grand secretary during the Qing Kangxi era. Its three-peak rockery embodies the grandeur of northern landscapes. Figures like Fan Zhongyan and Ouyang Xiu once served as officials here, and Li Qingzhao lived in Qingzhou for over a decade, composing numerous ci poems. Historical relics like the Qingzhou Prefecture Examination Hall are also scattered throughout the streets, where traces of this cultural legacy can often be encountered. The main street is densely lined with shops, but to avoid crowds, one can turn into the side alleys or head straight to Zhaode Ancient Street—where rows of Ming and Qing-era houses remain, with wooden doors, stone steps, and flagstone paths offering a glimpse of old Qingzhou's daily life.

Qingzhou · 353m from downtown

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No. 13 of Family-friendly Attractions in Shandong

Qingzhou Museum

6.7

4.6/5

1.5k reviews

The Qingzhou Museum is located in the northwest corner of the beautiful Qingzhou City, adjacent to Fangong Pavilion Park. The Qingzhou Museum is a seat-enclosed antique building with an elegant appearance. Although the museum is not large, it contains rare cultural relics such as Zhao Bingzhong's champion paper in the Ming Dynasty, large stone statues in the Eastern Han Dynasty, and the unique Buddhist statues of Longxing Temple in Qingzhou. The collections are rich and rare, making it a well-known county museum.

Qingzhou · 2.6km from downtown

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No. 4 of Best Things to Do in Weifang

Yunmen Mountain Scenic Area

6.2

4.6/5

1.9k reviews

[Zhonghua Shoushan · Fairyland Cloud Gate] Yunmen Mountain scenic area in Qingzhou is famous for the thousand-year-old story of "May you live as long as the Southern Mountain" and is known as "the No. 1 Mountain of Ancient Chinese Longevity Culture". This famous mountain in central Shandong, with an altitude of 421 meters, integrates geological wonders, religious heritage and cultural treasures. It is not only a national geological park, but also the core attraction of Qingzhou Ancient City Tourist Area. 🌟 Key Highlights The Longest Birthday in the World – Yunmen Offering Longevity The giant Ming Dynasty cliff carving of the character "寿" (longevity) on the shady side of the mountain is 7.5 meters high and 3.7 meters wide, with the character "寸" (inch) alone reaching a height of 2.3 meters, symbolizing "no one is as tall as an inch." Legend has it that it was carved by Zhou Quan, the official in charge of the imperial kitchen of the Prince of Heng, during the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty, to celebrate the Prince's birthday. Despite enduring 500 years of wind and rain, it remains imposing. Furthermore, the legend of "a snow-covered man presenting a longevity gift to the Prince of Heng" adds a mystical aura to this giant longevity carving. A thousand-year-old secret realm where Buddhism and Taoism coexist The Sui and Tang Dynasty Grottoes: 272 stone Buddhas stand quietly in the mountains in 5 grottoes in Shanyang. The earliest inscription can be traced back to the ninth year of the Kaihuang era of the Sui Dynasty (589 AD). It is a rare early Buddhist art relic in Shandong. Taoist holy sites: Wangshou Pavilion, Wanchun Cave (the final resting place of Chen Tuan) and other ancient sites are scattered throughout the area. The stone carvings with inscriptions such as "The God is Here" and "Transcending the Dust and Dreams" written by Xue Suo are elegant and vivid, fully demonstrating the Taoist immortal spirit. Geological wonders and natural scenic spots Yunmen Mountain scenic area- Yunmen Wonderland: The natural cave "Yunmen Cave" through the main peak, Dayunding, is shrouded in clouds and mist during the summer and autumn seasons, making the temples on the mountaintop appear and disappear, creating a fairyland-like atmosphere. It is known as the first of the eight scenic spots of ancient Qingzhou. Hongdan Cliff Landform: Along the way to climb the mountain, you can see ochre-red cliffs and pine trees, which are even more magnificent at sunrise. Guo Moruo once praised it as "the red trees and cliffs are worse than any painting". 🚶 Visitor Guide Classic route (2-3 hours): Mountain Gate → Guanshou Pavilion (panoramic view of the giant longevity statue) → Wangshou Pavilion → Giant Longevity Stele on Cliff (take photos) → Yunmen Cave (pass through the gate of clouds and mist) → Tianxian Yunu Temple (Ming Dynasty stone arched building without beams) → Donglangfeng Pavilion (overlooking the panoramic view of Qingzhou). Cultural Exploration: Along the way, you can admire inscriptions from various dynasties such as "Hai Dai Majestic Style" and "Old Man in a Raincoat Lying on Bean Rock", explore the stone statue of Chen Tuan and the poem inscription of "Snow Raincoat" in Wanchun Cave, and feel the artistic conception of "sleeping soundly in the deep night with white clouds rising".

Qingzhou · 5.1km from downtown

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Taihe Mountain Scenic Area

5.7

4.5/5

488 reviews

Taihe Mountain Scenic Area is mainly split into two parts: Tianyuan Valley Scenic Area and Huanghuaxi Scenic Area. It is a comprehensive landscape integrating forest landscape, landscape appearance and cultural landscape. Tianyuan Ancient Scenic Spot has temples of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism with beautiful scenery and lovely landscape. Surrounded by the peaks of Huanghuaxi Scenic Area, strolling through the area is like entering a fairyland.

Qingzhou · 26.5km from downtown

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No. 17 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Shandong

Huanghuaxi Scenic Area

5.7

4.5/5

2.4k reviews

Huanghua Creek is located in Qingzhou, a national scenic spot. It has beautiful scenery and is a well-known vacation destination. From mountains to waterfalls to rivers to cliffs, surprises are everywhere! Pass through a quaint, ancient corridor, and you will come to a suspension bridge. At the end of the bridge, there is a two-story pavilion where you can see three beautiful waterfalls. Use the stepping stones to cross the river or simply kneel on the river bank and sit on one of the stones. You'll feel the cool mountain spring water and get closer to nature!

Qingzhou · 27.8km from downtown

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No. 7 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Weifang

Ouyuan Garden

5.5

4.4/5

649 reviews

Ouyuan, also known as "Feng Family Garden", was the east garden of the Hengwang Palace in the Ming Dynasty. It has a history of more than 500 years. Later, it became the residence of Feng Pu, a university scholar of Wenhua Palace during the reign of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty, after he retired and returned to his hometown. The Feng family was a famous family in Qingzhou during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Since the ancestor Feng Yu, generations of officials have been honest and upright, and the tradition of poetry, books and literature has been passed down from generation to generation.

Qingzhou · 843m from downtown

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No. 3 of Family-friendly Attractions in Weifang

Jingtang Ancient Town

5.5

4.2/5

617 reviews

Jingtang Ancient Town is located in Qingzhou District, Shandong. It was built on the hillside in 1456, right next to the Palace of King Heng in a unique combination of Ming Dynasty architecture and Western residential architecture. The entire village is surrounded by an ancient city wall made of blue limestone. Every 30 meters along the wall, a cannon tower accentuates this impressive Ming village, reminiscent of its defensive strength centuries ago.

Qingzhou · 10.2km from downtown

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No. 11 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Weifang

Tuoshan

4.9

4.5/5

248 reviews

Qilu Buddhist Kingdom - Hidden Gem of Camel Mountain Camel Mountain, a national AAA-rated attraction renowned as the "Oriental Sculpture Gallery," is celebrated alongside Yunmen Mountain as the "Twin Gems of Shandong Grottoes." This millennium-old peak, standing at 408m, harmoniously blends Buddhist artistry, Taoist mystique, and geological wonders. As a nationally protected cultural heritage site, it forms an integral part of Qingzhou's ancient city tourism district. 🌟 Core Highlights Famous grotto sculptures of Qilu - Buddhist relics from the Northern Zhou to High Tang dynasties On the southeastern cliffs of Camel Mountain's main peak, five cave temples and one group of cliffside statues stand quietly. The 638 stone Buddha statues from the Northern Zhou to Tang dynasties still retain traces of cinnabar pigments after weathering centuries. The 7.5-meter-tall Amitabha Buddha in Cave 3, with its compassionate expression and flowing robe folds resembling drifting clouds, is considered an iconic Sui dynasty masterpiece. Cave 2's Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva wears a jeweled crown with miniature Buddha figures and cascading ornaments, epitomizing the grandeur of High Tang artistry. The flying apsaras reliefs in Cave 4 appear so dynamic with their fluttering scarves that they seem ready to leap from the walls, prompting Guo Moruo to praise: "Camel Mountain's caves rival the Longmen Grottoes." China's Natural Wonder - The Mountain Buddha and Cloud Gate Longevity Character Echo Each Other from Afar From the Buddha Viewing Platform, you can gaze upon a 2,600-meter-long mountain formation resembling a reclining Buddha to the southeast. Nine mountain peaks form the Buddha's head, with an elongated nose and slightly parted lips that create the miraculous illusion of "chanting scriptures" when viewed from different angles. Even more astonishing, the Camel Mountain Grottoes were all carved facing this colossal Buddha, forming a breathtaking scene of "ten thousand Buddhas paying homage." Together with the giant "Longevity" character on Yunmen Mountain, they create the millennium wonder of "radiant longevity and Buddha." Representative Taoist architecture – Haotian Palace and Qibao Pavilion The Haotian Palace atop the mountain, originally built during the Yuan Dynasty, stands as a significant Taoist architectural complex in Shandong Province. Its stone-built, beamless arched structure—the "Seven Treasures Pavilion"—is considered an architectural marvel. Constructed entirely of stone without a single nail or rivet, it has withstood wars and bears only three bullet marks while remaining steadfast. Inside the hall, the vividly painted statues of the Three Pure Ones appear as fresh as ever. Over 120 stone inscriptions within and around Haotian Palace document its thousand-year history of rise and fall, with the Yuan Dynasty's "Imperial Incense Offering Stele" serving as a particularly valuable artifact for Taoist historical research.

Qingzhou · 5.5km from downtown

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Jiulongyu

4.8

3.9/5

129 reviews

Jiulongyu is located in the southern mountainous area of Qingzhou City. There are 18 scenic spots such as Longmen Temple and Xiuzhen Palace in the scenic spot. It is called “18 Scenes in Kowloon”. The scenic area has rich natural resources, as well as mountain landscapes such as turtle stones and bamboo leaves, as well as humanistic historical resources such as Zhao Yu and Xiuzhen Palace. It is an ideal place for people to return to nature, sightseeing and summer vacation.

Qingzhou · 13.1km from downtown

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Qingzhoufu Examination Hall

4.6

4.3/5

194 reviews

The Qingzhoufu Examination Hall is located on Wei Street (also known as East Gate Street) in the ancient city of Qingzhou. During the Ming Dynasty, it initially served as the administrative office of the Shandong Provincial Administration Commission before gradually falling into disuse after the relocation to Licheng. Later, it was converted into Yunmen Academy, a place for scholars to study and pursue knowledge. By the fourth year of the Yongzheng reign in the Qing Dynasty, Yunmen Academy became exclusively designated as the "examination venue for imperial envoys," officially adopting the name "Examination Hall." From then on, it served as the Qingzhoufu Examination Hall for selecting xiucai (scholars) and was commonly referred to as the Examination Hall. Nestled within this historic city, the Qingzhoufu Examination Hall has witnessed a wealth of cultural and historical heritage. Qingzhoufu Examination Hall showcases the profound cultural heritage of ancient Qingzhou. The exhibition hall features both an introduction to the imperial examination system and a wealth of physical artifacts related to these historical exams, offering visitors a rich and diverse display. Stepping into the Imperial Examination Museum, visitors are first greeted by a statue of Confucius, the revered sage, standing in the central courtyard. The complex features three exhibition halls each on the eastern and western sides. The eastern halls showcase a concise history of the imperial examination system, along with artifacts related to Qingzhou's historical figures: textbooks, student calligraphy practice books, and even cheating notes (proving academic dishonesty has ancient roots). A meticulously recreated examination cell depicts a scholar deep in thought, resting his chin on his left hand as he writes, with only a brush, paper, and inkstone on the desk and a food box beneath—a stark reminder that candidates endured nine days in these cramped conditions. The western halls highlight Qingzhou's examination graduates and top scholar culture, displaying lists of successful candidates, portraits of civil and military champions, and a replica of Zhao Bingzhong's top scholar examination paper alongside family genealogies and literary collections. Two octagonal pavilions in the southeast and southwest corners respectively exhibit ancient study rooms, Qingzhou's academies, its distinguished examination candidates, and commemorative arches. The museum's northern wall features a sealed ceremonial gate flanked by name lists of historical top scholars and portraits of Qing Dynasty officials in rank-specific robes. Just beyond the gate stands the four-story wall of Yumen Bilingual School, emblazoned with two golden characters—"Ming De" (illustrious virtue)—that glow strikingly at sunset, symbolizing the enduring mission of education.

Qingzhou · 485m from downtown

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2026 Asia 100 - Best Things to Do

Mount Taishan

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1-day tour to The Tianyuan Valley, Huanghua Stream, and Qingzhou Museum in Qingzhou, Shandong with bilingual Chinese-English service available

Departs from Qingzhou

Book now for tomorrowDuration: 7 hrsEnglish

FromSAR 639.63

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9D8N • Qingdao + Yantai + Penglai District + Weifang + Qingzhou + Jinan + Tai'an + Qufu + Tai'erzhuang District

5/5

1 review5 booked

Top Shandong Tour: private groups, private car, zero shopping, flexible itinerary, free amenities, 24/7 transfer, ideal for families & couples, with surprises available. | Includes bilingual guide, disposable amenities, footbath, beach gear, travel stamp book; child local service fee waived (excl. transport & tickets). | 360° SVIP Private Tour Service: dedicated support, professional drivers, luggage & ticket assistance, childcare, in-car amenities, flexible itinerary, 24/7 assistance - relax and enjoy your trip.

EnglishGuaranteed departureFree cancellationArr. & dep. transfers incl.Choose your hotelMultiple car types availablePrivate Tours

Savings SAR 285

From SAR 3,186SAR 3,472

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9D7N • Qingdao + Yantai + Weifang + Jinan + Tai'an + Qufu + Taierzhuang Ancient Town

Fully enjoy the natural scenery and cultural essence of Shandong. | Four seasons and four scenery, from appreciating blooming flowers, picking ripe fruits, to appreciating colorful autumn leaves. | Shandong cuisine flavor, including Qingdao cuisine, seafood hotpot, Jiaodong cuisine, Penglai noodles, Weixian cuisine, and Kongfu banquet.

Max. 9 peopleMandarinGuaranteed departureNo mandatory shoppingTour guide includedFree cancellationArr. & dep. transfers incl.Mini Group

From SAR 3,488

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Experiences you can't miss in Qingzhou

Featured Day tours in Qingzhou

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Qingdao round-trip 1-day tour to Ancient Town of Qingzhou, Yunmen Mountain, and Jingtang Ancient Town with bilingual service available

Duration: 8.5 hrs

English

Free cancellation

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FromSAR 767.56

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1-day tour to Ancient Town of Qingzhou + Qingzhou Museum + Yunmen Mountain in Shandong with Chinese and English services available

5.0/5

· 1 review

Duration: 7 hrs

English

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FromSAR 639.63

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1-day tour of Ancient Town of Qingzhou + Jingtang Ancient Town + Qingzhou Museum in Shandong with bilingual service

Duration: 6 hrs

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1-day tour from Qingdao to Zibo Ceramic and Glass Museum + Haidai Tower - Bilingual service available

Duration: 10.8 hrs

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Qingdao departure Zibo Yanshen Ancient Town + Hongyeshiyan 1-day tour - Chinese and English service

Duration: 9.1 hrs

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Shandong Shouguang Vegetable Demonstration Park + The Peony Garden + Judian Lake 1-day tour with bilingual service (Chinese/English)

Duration: 7 hrs

English

FromSAR 639.63

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Binzhou Day Tour: Wei Family Manor + Weiji Ancient Village + China Sun Tzu's Art of War City (Bilingual Chinese-English Service)

Duration: 6.5 hrs

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FromSAR 1,023.41

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What travellers say about Qingzhou

汤少环球旅行5 November 2026

5.0

Ou Garden is located in the heart of Qingzhou Ancient City, not far from the Catholic Church. This visit was at night, so there were fewer tourists. The exhibits and garden design were decent, but I was amazed that the garden's area was comparable to, or even surpassed, that of any famous garden.