Shandong
Shandong suits travelers who want Confucian history, a climb up Mount Tai and a seaside city with German-era architecture and seafood.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Shandong is a coastal province in eastern China, with Jinan as its capital. Most visitors come first for Confucius, who was born here. The town of Qufu holds the Confucius Temple, the family mansion and the family cemetery. The province also has Mount Tai, one of China's most important sacred mountains, which pilgrims and hikers have climbed by stone steps for centuries.
The coast is the other draw. Qingdao, the best-known city on the Yellow Sea, has German colonial-era buildings, a brewing history and a strong seafood tradition. Yantai and Weihai, farther along the coast, are quieter options. Spring and autumn suit both the mountain and the city, with mild temperatures. Shandong suits travelers who want history, hiking and seafood in one trip, and Qingdao's old town is best explored on foot.
Shandong in five
- Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before you arriveMany shops, street stalls and taxis take only mobile payment. Alipay accepts some foreign cards, but WeChat Pay is hard to set up without a Chinese bank card, so carry some cash as backup.Money and costs
- Get a data plan before you landGoogle Maps and other Google services are blocked in mainland China. Use Amap (Gaode) or Baidu Maps for routes and bus times, and make sure your data works from the airport.Phones and eSIM
- Carry your passport for every hotel check-inHotels register foreign guests against the passport, and you may be asked for it on trains and at some attractions. Keep a photo of the passport page on your phone as a backup.
- Book trains on 12306 with your passport numberThe 12306 site and app are the official China Railway booking channel, and foreign visitors book with a passport number. Qingdao has more than one rail station, so check the station name on your ticket.
- Ask the price per jin before ordering seafoodLive seafood in Qingdao restaurants is priced per jin (500 g). Ask for the price per jin and the total before the kitchen weighs the catch.
Things to do in Shandong
See all attractions in Shandong
Need to know
- Currency
- Yuan renminbi (CNY)
- Entry
- Visa for most; visa-free for many passports, check NIA Read more
- Emergency
- 110 police, 120 ambulance, 119 fire
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Time
- UTC+8, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold, quiet
- FebruaryCold, quiet
- MarchChilly, windy
- AprilSea fog risk
- MayMild, sea fog
- JuneWarm, rain starts
- JulyRainy, humid
- AugustHot, typhoon risk
- SeptemberWarm, clear
- OctoberMild, clear
- NovemberCooling, quieter
- DecemberCold, quiet
Right now in Shandong
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
14
- Feels like
- 10°
- Humidity
- 28%
- Wind
- 7 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Shandong
04:40 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today21°13°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed19°11°59%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 19°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 59%.
- Thu20°10°0%Thursday: Clear. High 20°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri16°8°0%Friday: Clear. High 16°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat14°7°25%Saturday: Drizzle. High 14°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 25%.
- Sun10°5°82%Sunday: Drizzle. High 10°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 82%.
- Mon15°4°7%Monday: Clear. High 15°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 7%.
Updated 12:49 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 6.661 CNY
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Laoshan Mountainby bus or taxi from the cityGranite peaks, coastal paths and Taoist temples on the east coast.Read the guide
- Tsingtao Beer Museumshort taxi ride from the centreThe brewery history of the city, with a tasting at the end of the visit.Read the guide
- Jiaozhou Bay Bridgeby car from the cityA long sea crossing over Jiaozhou Bay, best seen from a car or a bus window.
Before you go to Shandong
Rules for Shandong, checked
- Check visa rules on the National Immigration Administration site before you fly, since visa-free entry depends on your nationality and route.Source
- Declare cash, goods and gifts above customs limits on your arrival card, because China customs runs checks at the border.
- Drones need registration and are banned near military sites and some public places. Check local rules before you fly one.
- Do not photograph military facilities, ports or police stations, and ask before photographing people in markets.
- Drug offences in China carry severe penalties, including long prison sentences, and trafficking can carry the death penalty.
Plan around Shandong
Old town, beaches and Laoshan Mountain
Read the guideAll of ChinaCities, regions and national travel rules
Read the guideGetting aroundHigh-speed rail, metro and taxis
Read the guideMoney and costsMobile payment, cash and typical prices
Read the guideWhere to stayOld town, Laoshan and station areas
Read the guideVisas and entryVisa rules and what to check before you fly
Read the guideShandong FAQ
Is Qingdao worth visiting?
Yes, for the old town, the German-era villas, the seafront and the brewery history. It is a port city with a summer beach season.
How many days do you need in Qingdao?
The old town, the seafront and the Tsingtao Beer Museum fit into a short stay. Add a day for Laoshan Mountain or the Jiaozhou Bay Bridge.
Does Google Maps work in Qingdao?
No. Google services are blocked in mainland China. Use Amap or Baidu Maps, and save your hotel's address in Chinese characters so taxi drivers can find it.
How do you get from Beijing to Qingdao?
High-speed trains run between Beijing and Qingdao. Book on 12306 and check which Qingdao station your train uses.
Is Qingdao good for swimming in summer?
Yes. Huiquan and Shilaoren are the best-known beaches. Check beach notices for jellyfish and water quality before you swim.