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.
每日安排
第 1 天 · One Day in Jinan's Springs and Old Town
Leave your car at the hotel and explore the Old Town on foot. It is about 2 km from Baotu Spring to Daming Lake.
住宿：泉城廣場·趵突泉
第 2 天 · Lingyan Temple to Dai Temple in Tai'an
Drive from Jinan to Lingyan Temple (about 1 hour), then to Tai'an (about 40 minutes), covering about 90 km in total.
住宿：天外村
第 3 天 · Cableway to the Summit of Mount Tai
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.
住宿：天外村
第 4 天 · Head South to Qufu to Visit the Three Confucian Sites
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.
住宿：明故城古城區
第 5 天 · To Taierzhuang for a Night Tour of the Grand Canal
Drive from Qufu to Taierzhuang (about 130 km, a 2-hour drive). Visit the memorial hall in the afternoon.
住宿：古城內
第 6 天 · Linyi Former Residence of the Sage of Calligraphy to Zhuquan Village
Drive from Taierzhuang to Linyi (about 100 km), then head north to Zhuquan Village (about 1 hour). Stay overnight in Yishui County.
住宿：沂水縣城
第 7 天 · Underground Grand Canyon & Travel to Rizhao
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.
住宿：萬平口·燈塔
第 8 天 · Wanpingkou Sunrise & Travel to Qingdao
日照（日照燈塔風景區、萬平口海濱風景區） → 青島（琅琊台）
Drive from Rizhao to Langyatai (about 100 km), then to Qingdao Old Town (about 90 km) via the Shenyang-Haikou Expressway.
住宿：中山路·棧橋
第 9 天 · Qingdao Old Town & Badaguan
青島（棧橋、聖彌厄爾教堂、八大關、青島啤酒博物館、五四廣場）
Leave your car at the hotel and explore on foot or by taxi. It takes about 15 minutes from Zhanqiao Pier to Badaguan.
住宿：中山路·棧橋
第 10 天 · Mount Lao Yangkou to Rongcheng
Drive from the city center to Yangkou (about 1 hour). In the afternoon, take the Qingdao-Weihai Expressway to Xiangxianghai (about 2.5 hours).
住宿：榮成·那香海
第 11 天 · Chengshantou to Weihai via the Coastal Road
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.
住宿：環翠區市區·威海公園
第 12 天 · Liugong Island & Travel to Yantai
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.
住宿：煙台山·朝陽街
第 13 天 · Penglai Pavilion & Nanshan Giant Buddha
煙台市區·蓬萊（蓬萊閣） → 龍口（南山大佛、南山禪寺·藥師玉佛殿）
Drive from Yantai to Penglai (about 1 hour and 10 minutes), then to the Nanshan Scenic Area (about 50 minutes).
住宿：南山景區
第 14 天 · Head West to Weifang & Qingzhou Ancient City
Drive from Longkou to Weifang via the Rongcheng-Wuhai Expressway (about 2.5 hours), then to Qingzhou (about 1 hour).
住宿：青州古城
第 15 天 · Qingzhou Museum to Jinan via Zhoucun
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.