Who says Shandong only has Qingzhou, Weifang, and Ji'nan? Discover four off-the-beaten-path towns within a 1-3 hour drive. They're uncrowded, beautiful, and affordable—perfect for a relaxing weekend getaway! 🚗
1️⃣ Weifang · Qingzhou | Slow Time in the Millennium Ancient City 🚗 1.5 hours from Jinan/Zibo
✨Highlight: One of the ancient Nine Provinces, it hides a hidden historical treasure.
✅Must-see:
- Qingzhou Ancient City: Free stroll along the bluestone pavement, encounter paper-cutting artists, and experience breathtaking nighttime lantern displays.
- Qingzhou Museum: A national first-class museum! The Buddha statue at Longxing Temple is stunning, so make sure to book in advance.
- Yunmen Mountain: Climb 30 minutes to the summit, touch the "Shou" character for longevity, and enjoy a relaxing panoramic view of the city.
🍜 Must-try: Longsheng Pastry's honey three-knife is sweet but not greasy, and the Old Street beef pan-fried buns are 2r each and bursting with flavor.
2️⃣ Yantai · Laizhou | Enjoy the fun of fishing with less crowds and blue waters 🚗 Qingdao/Weifang: 2 hours from Qingdao
✨ Highlight: Pristine coastline, free and easy access to the sea.
✅ Must-sees:
- Sanshan Island Golden Beach: Fine sand and clear water, the coastline glows golden at sunset 🌅
- Hutou Cliff: Dig for clams with a bucket at low tide and experience the daily life of a fisherman.
- Chinese Rose Garden: Thousands of acres of flowers bloom in May, making for stunning photos.
🍜 Must-try: The seafood market offers a full meal at 50 yuan per person, and the milky white Laizhou lamb soup with flatbreads is incredible.
3️⃣ Dezhou · Qihe | Family outings 🚗1-hour direct access to Jinan
✨Highlights: European-style castles and adorable pet interactions – pretend you're abroad
✅Must-see attractions:
- Quancheng Ocean Park: Fantasy castle for stunning photos, and just the right amount of excitement
- Animal Kingdom: Cable car ride overlooking giraffes and zebras, and feeding the fawns is incredibly relaxing 🦒
🍜Must-eats: Yellow River Tower's fish soup will make your eyebrows drop, and Sangzi Restaurant's pot-stirred pancakes soak up the broth
4️⃣ Binzhou · Huimin | A delightful hometown for martial arts fans 🚗2-hour access to Jinan/Zibo
✨Highlights: Sun Tzu's hometown, where intangible cultural heritage meets history
✅Must-see attractions:
- Sun Tzu's Art of War City: Experience a real-life battle formation, and take cool photos in Hanfu (Chinese traditional costume)
- Weiji Ancient Village: Stroll through the century-old streets and watch performances of blacksmithing and tofu-making.
🍜Must-try: Crispy donkey meat with water chestnut sesame cakes, and refreshing cold Duqiao tofu skin salad.
💡Practical Tips:
- Budget-friendly: 2 days and 1 night for 300-500 RMB per person, with accommodations around 150-250 RMB.
- Essential sunscreen: Shandong summers are incredibly hot, so don't forget your hat and sunglasses.
- Eat early: Restaurants in this off-the-beaten-path area close early, so it's best to eat dinner before 7 PM.
It's not overly commercialized and retains a local feel. Save your guide for a weekend getaway! 👇
#Self-Drive Tour #Shandong Travel #Shandong Travel Guide #Most Asked-About-on-Facebook #Niche Travel Destinations