City Info: Ji'nan, Shandong Province

Ji'nan, capital of Shandong Province on China's east coast, is the province's political, economic and cultural center. Located in the western part of the center of Shandong Province, Ji'nan is at the juncture of the Beijing-Shanghai and Qingdao-Jinan railways. Nearby to the south is Mount Tai, officially recognized by the United Nation as part of the world's natural and cultural heritage. To the north is the Yellow River, which is called the "cradle of the Chinese nation."
With a warm-temperate continental monsoon climate and clear-cut seasonal changes, Ji'nan has an average annual temperature of 14 C and an annual mean precipitation of 650-700 mm.
Thanks to its long history, Ji'nan has been designated by the State Council as a famous historical and cultural city. As Ji'nan boasts a number of natural springs amid picturesque scenery, it is known as the "City of Springs." The city tree of Ji'nan is the willow, and the city flower is the lotus.

Population
5,490,000

Cuisine
Shandong dishes is listed one of China's four top dishes, Ji'nan is the place where Shandong cuisine originated. Ji'nan cuisine, famous for its good smell, freshness and pure taste, is believed to be "one dish one flavor, no repetition among the 100 dishes." As to material selection and cooking, Ji'nan cuisine skillfully makes use of the soup-stock, therefore forming its own unique characteristics. Fried carp with sweet and sour sauce, stir-fried chicken cubes with chili sauce and peanuts are popular with both the locals and visitors.
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When to Go
Summer and Winter are ideal times. Affected by climates, the busy season is from May to November each year; more important, it is when the rainy season just passed and when most springs gush out. The underground watch level rises up to ensure the appearance of a large efflux.

Airport Info
TNA Ji'nan Xijiao airport is 40km west of the city.
By: taxi: around CNY 130/ USD 16 per taxi

Accommodations

Main Scenic Spots

Excursion from Ji'nan

Official Websites
- Ji'nan Municipal Government
- Ji'nan tourist guide
- Taishan travel

Museums
- Shandong Provincial Museum
The museum consists of a nature section and a history section. Included in the exhibits are a number of exquisite Buddhist carvings, stone seals and tablets

- Chengziya Ruins Museum
The famous Chengziya Ruins Museum, discovered in 1928 by archaeologist Wu Heding, is the first discovered site among the Longshan Culture Sites and is regarded as the Mecca for china's archaeologists.