Shandong is a province with rich natural resources and numerous historical and cultural heritages. Its culture has major contribution and far-reaching influence to the formation and development of Chinese culture. Many top examinees for higher education are from Shandong. Why are there so many hardworking students in this province in the east of North China Plain? Many people owe it to the regional character created by the learning spirit of the hometown of Confucius and Mencius. Therefore, with the curiosity to the hometown of Confucius, the longing for Mount Tai and the expectation to Baotu Spring and Daming Lake in Jinan, a city of springs, we initiated a trip for exploring the historical traces of Shandong.

Starry night on June 6 – on train

This "long journey"was arranged after work on Friday.

We took K51 sleeper train heading for Tai'an, Shandong in the night. It was the first group trip by train for us. Naturally we felt novel and excited. We talked without stop since we got on the train till the lamps in the carriage were turned out. The train arrived at Tai'an in the morning. The first morning glow greeted us. We said hello to Shandong when we got out the train.

Stop 1: Qufu, the hometown of Confucius, visiting the Temple of Confucius, Confucian Family Mansion and Cemetery of Confucius

Day 1, June 7 – Worship Confucianism 

Backyard garden of Confucian Family Mansion
After visiting the serious and rigid inner chambers for womenfolk and yamen, finally we might relax our nerves and have a rest in the backyard garden of Confucian Family Mansion. The garden is bright and spacious, with luxuriant trees and beautiful flowers. It is said that the two girls of Confucius relaxed and played in the backyard garden before they got married. To our surprise, the size of the garden is on a par with a royal family.

In the garden, there is a marvelous painting. No matter what direction you are in, the road in the painting will always face you. This painting was drawn by a painter of the Confucian family and makes use of “focus perspective"theory in fine arts. It has a same effect as “the Portrait of Chairman Mao"at Tiananmen Square. It is incredible that a person brushing paint could draw such highly technical painting. We exclaimed and admired the intelligence and wisdom of the ancient Chinese people.

    

A place of honors of the Confucian family - Cemetery of Confucius

The Cemetery of Confucius is surprisingly large. From it we may feel the powerful cohesion of the family. Strong cohesion arouses respect. Like our group, we work overtime together without grudge and play together crazily. We took a nice "cabriolet"– sightseeing battery car and searched for historical traces from the tombstones in the large cemetery.

 (Our "Seven Fairies"form a bright landscape)

 

Zen in Lingyan Temple

The Pizhi Pagoda in the photo was built in the Song Dynasty. Under the pagoda is an underground palace where Buddha's relics are collected. Owing to the protection of the monks in the temple, the underground palace has never been opened. It is a real sacred place of Buddhism.

The Forest of stupas in Lingya Temple consists of the stupas and tombstones of the abbots and eminent monks from the Tang Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty.  

Day 3: June 9 - Jinan

Peach garden – Shungeng Hillview Hotel, where we stayed

 

 

 

 

 

 

Baotu Spring

A black and white painting is hung on the wall of a hall. In the painting, Xia Yuhe is playing a musical instrument, while Emperor Qianlong is listening. Xia Yuhe looks virtuous and graceful and wears a little smile, revealing her innate elegance and intelligence. No wonder Emperor Qianlong fell head over heels in love with her!  

Go Home

With good wishes, tanned skin and bags of local specialties, we got on D38 bullet train from Jinan to Beijing and embarked on a return trip.

A colleague said: “I am so happy for I have visited Mount Tai, Baotu Spring and Daming Lake!"“Time flies. I really don't want to leave now! What about you?“……He is right. This time, we come out together, and have friends to chat, delicious food to eat, comfortable hotel to stay and good places to watch. Of course we have a good time and are reluctant to go.Don't worry. The Group will offer us more opportunities for group trips in the future.

As long as we are together, we will be happy no matter where we go!

Photo provider: Wang Rongjun, Wang Fang, Wang Shiqi, Zhang Binbin, Yang Zhi, Gao Yanling, Xu Yade, Tian Yuan and Zhou Yanjie