Grand Shandong Loop Self-Drive Tour

Starting from Jinan, this loop covers central, southern, and coastal Shandong before returning via Qingzhou, connecting the province's major regions in one go.

This is a long-distance route suitable for travelers with plenty of time. It covers the revolutionary history and landscapes of southern Shandong, the beaches of Rizhao and Qingdao, the Jiaodong Peninsula, and the ancient cities of Qi and Lu. The average daily driving time is 2 to 3 hours, with multi-night stays scheduled in the middle to rest. To keep the number of days manageable, the Yellow River Delta in Dongying and the Water Margin area in western Shandong are excluded, but they can be added separately after Qingzhou if desired.

Traffic congestion and parking are severe along the coast during the summer holidays. Hotel bookings for the May Day and National Day holidays must be made well in advance.

Day by day

Day 1 · One Day in Jinan's Springs and Old Town

Jinan（Baotu Spring、Black Tiger Spring、Baihuazhou & Qushuiting Street、Daming Lake）

Leave your car at the hotel and explore the Old Town on foot. It is about 2 km from Baotu Spring to Daming Lake.

Stay: Quancheng Square · Baotu Spring

Day 2 · Lingyan Temple to Dai Temple in Tai'an

Jinan（Lingyan Temple） → Mount Tai (Tai'an)（Dai Temple）

Drive from Jinan to Lingyan Temple (about 1 hour), then to Tai'an (about 40 minutes), covering about 90 km in total.

Stay: Tianwai Village

Day 3 · Cableway to the Summit of Mount Tai

Mount Tai (Tai'an)（Eighteen Bends & South Heaven Gate、Tianjie (Heavenly Street)、Bixia Temple、Jade Emperor Peak (Taishan Summit)）

Take the scenic shuttle bus from Tianwaicun to Zhongtianmen, then the cableway to Nantianmen. Walk around the summit and return the same way.

Cableway queues can last several hours during holidays; try to go up the mountain as early as possible.

Stay: Tianwai Village

Day 4 · Head South to Qufu to Visit the Three Confucian Sites

Qufu（Temple of Confucius、Kong Family Mansion、Cemetery of Confucius (Kong Lin)）

Drive from Tai'an to Qufu via the Beijing-Taipei Expressway (about 70 km, just over 1 hour). Park outside the ancient city and explore on foot.

Stay: Ming Old City (Old Town)

Day 5 · To Taierzhuang for a Night Tour of the Grand Canal

Taierzhuang Ancient Town（Taierzhuang Battle Memorial Hall、Taierzhuang Ancient Town、Taierzhuang Canal Night Cruise）

Drive from Qufu to Taierzhuang (about 130 km, a 2-hour drive). Visit the memorial hall in the afternoon.

Stay: Inside the Ancient Town

Day 6 · Linyi Former Residence of the Sage of Calligraphy to Zhuquan Village

Linyi（Wang Xizhi's Former Residence、Zhuquan Village）

Drive from Taierzhuang to Linyi (about 100 km), then head north to Zhuquan Village (about 1 hour). Stay overnight in Yishui County.

Stay: Yishui County Seat

Day 7 · Underground Grand Canyon & Travel to Rizhao

Linyi（Yishui Underground Canyon、Firefly Water Cave） → Rizhao（Dongyi Town）

Drive from Yishui County to the canyon (about 20 minutes). In the afternoon, drive east to Rizhao (about 130 km).

The cave is about 18°C and slippery; bring a light long-sleeved shirt and non-slip shoes.

Stay: Wanpingkou · Lighthouse

Day 8 · Wanpingkou Sunrise & Travel to Qingdao

Rizhao（Rizhao Lighthouse Scenic Area、Wanpingkou Beach） → Qingdao（Langyatai）

Drive from Rizhao to Langyatai (about 100 km), then to Qingdao Old Town (about 90 km) via the Shenyang-Haikou Expressway.

Stay: Zhongshan Road · Zhanqiao Pier

Day 9 · Qingdao Old Town & Badaguan

Qingdao（Zhanqiao Pier、St. Michael's Cathedral、Badaguan Scenic Area、Tsingtao Beer Museum、May Fourth Square）

Leave your car at the hotel and explore on foot or by taxi. It takes about 15 minutes from Zhanqiao Pier to Badaguan.

Stay: Zhongshan Road · Zhanqiao Pier

Day 10 · Mount Lao Yangkou to Rongcheng

Qingdao（Laoshan Yangkou Scenic Area） → Weihai & Rongcheng（Naxianghai Diamond Beach）

Drive from the city center to Yangkou (about 1 hour). In the afternoon, take the Qingdao-Weihai Expressway to Xiangxianghai (about 2.5 hours).

Stay: Rongcheng · Naxianghai

Day 11 · Chengshantou to Weihai via the Coastal Road

Weihai & Rongcheng（Chengshan Cape (Chengshantou)、Bruvis Shipwreck、Weihai Park & Happiness Gate）

Drive from Xiangxianghai to Chengshantou (about 40 minutes), then head west along the Coastal Road to Weihai city center (about 1.5 hours).

Chengshantou requires advance reservation; motor vehicles are banned on certain sections of the Coastal Road.

Stay: Huancui District City Center · Weihai Park

Day 12 · Liugong Island & Travel to Yantai

Weihai & Rongcheng（Liugong Island） → Yantai City & Penglai（Yantai Hill、Chaoyang Street）

Take a 20-minute ferry to the island. In the afternoon, drive to Yantai (about 1 hour and 20 minutes).

Liugong Island requires real-name reservation; ferry services may be suspended on windy days.

Stay: Yantai Mountain · Chaoyang Street

Day 13 · Penglai Pavilion & Nanshan Giant Buddha

Yantai City & Penglai（Penglai Pavilion） → Longkou（Nanshan Great Buddha、Nanshan Chan Temple & Medicine Buddha Jade Hall）

Drive from Yantai to Penglai (about 1 hour and 10 minutes), then to the Nanshan Scenic Area (about 50 minutes).

Stay: Nanshan Scenic Area

Day 14 · Head West to Weifang & Qingzhou Ancient City

Weifang（Weifang World Kite Museum、Qingzhou Ancient City、Zhaode Old Street）

Drive from Longkou to Weifang via the Rongcheng-Wuhai Expressway (about 2.5 hours), then to Qingzhou (about 1 hour).

Stay: Qingzhou Ancient City

Day 15 · Qingzhou Museum to Jinan via Zhoucun

Weifang（Qingzhou Museum） → Zibo（Zhoucun Ancient Commercial Town）

Drive from Qingzhou to Zhoucun (about 1 hour). After touring the Ancient Commercial Town, drive to Jinan (about 1 hour and 10 minutes).

Qingzhou Museum is closed on Mondays; please check the schedule.