Zibo is a major metropolitan city and region bordering Jinan to the East. It is among the most thriving regions in eastern China. Considered to be the birthplace of the Han Chinese people, this city’s history often goes beyond our imagination. Too many times its history had to be redrawn. It was once the ancient state capital of Qi Kingdom, (1640BC-220 BC) 3000 years ago. It was, at its height in Qi Period, the center of China’s civilization, statehood, ideology and military might. Set your foot on the soil of Zibo you cannot but thinking a grand civilization is right beneath where you stand. Let our story be unfold to you.
The Qi Museum Row. Zibo has recently opened a new Museum Row with 6 museums in one location. Among them, you will find the Cultural Museum of Qi State and the Soccer Museum. The former has just completed its relocation from an excavation site of ancient Qi State. In the museum, you will find a grand model of the grand city of Qi and numerous stone tablets displaying recorded history of social, political and ideological evolutions. You will find introductive section to great philosophers, statesmen, scientific discoveries, pottery, and agriculture. The “Xi Zun”, the holy piece of the museum, is a cow shaped wine container that was made in the late Spring and Autumn Period (6th Century B.C).
Soccer Museum is right next door. Interestingly, Zibo is the birthplace of the earliest form of football, also known as soccer. Back then, the game was called Cuju; a competitive game where players used their feet to kick a ball around the field. The ultimate goal is to shoot the ball into an opening goal. The use of hands in the game was not allowed. The game was also played in other parts of Asia. Today, Cuju is recognized by FIFA (the Federation of International Football Association) as the oldest recording of the earliest game on foot with a ball. However, the rules that FIFA recognize today are after the old British game started in the Middle Ages, by which a ball needed to be kicked into a net to strike a goal. Those rules are inherited till this day. You will find exhibits introducing FIFA, its history, its leadership changes, and China’s best performance in women’s game about 10 years ago. A miniature display of Zibo’s city life happily playing Cuju (soccer) can be found in the museum. Wide smiles on the Cuju players’ faces convey their happiness.
The Great Qi Wall at Mount Yuan National Forest. Zibo is proud to have inherited the largest section of the restored Qi Wall in Shandong in its territory. As compared with the Jinyang Pass of Qi Wall in Laiwu, Qi wall in Zibo is wide and very tall. It is a clear indication of Zibo as the capital of the powerful and arrogant Qi State. If you look towards Lu State side, you will find mile long Karst stones serving as deterrent beneath the Qi Wall. This makes any attack against the Qi State very difficult. If time allows, listen to some stories about Qi Wall from the Cultural Museum of Qi State. You can find a very touching story here. Since the Qi Wall was so tough to build, it required male laborers to spend years away from their wives and family. Among them, a girl named Meng Jiang Nu was so sad that her tears touched the souls of a section Qi Wall. This section eventually collapsed as its foundation took too much tears. We are not sure if her husband was sent home or not. Go and find the mark on that section.
Zhou Village (Zhou Cun): Zibo is best known for its large silk production mills and merchant banks (called “Piaohao”). Local historians have tried tracing the famed “Silk Road” in Zibo, which had extended to what is now Europe. Once known as a central hub of the silk supply, Zibo could very well be a starting point of the “Silk Road”. Needless to say the Zhou Village is a historical merchant town. Strolling down the lanes, you will find 4 large blocks of thriving streets restored to their late 1800’s glory. The Zhou Village is a historical merchant village. Merchants dressed in vintage costumes from the 1900s is rare. The fast-paced atmosphere around Main Ave, Silk Ave, and Finance Ave. A notable dye shop that has opened since 200 years ago is the longest operational shop in the village. There is even a film based on the story of the dye shop. Shot right in this original shop has drawn lots of visitors across China. The famous local silk shop, Ruifuxiang caught the attention of Sam Walton, founder of Walmart. The first national flag of the People’s Republic China was made at this shop in 1949. The original shop front is still open today. Be sure to secure a souvenir there.
Chariot Museum. 10 years ago when Shandong’s first provincial highway was built, a buried site of chariot was found. The rare pit extends 215 meters long and 600 horses were immolated in their prime. This had happened 280 years before Terracotta Army of Xi’an was built. The highway ended up being built on top the current Chariot Museum. Excavations continue as of today.
Glass Bridge at Tanxi Mountain (“Ladder to the Sky”). Tanxi Mountain National Park is within one hour drive from Zibo. It is known for its first and tallest glass bridge with cable-stayed suspension in the world. Walking over it presents a sensational thrill and magnificent view. There are eight suites at the 5-star lodge on top of the cliff, called The Cliff Hotel. It is the best place to capture sunrise and sunset. In just 6 minutes by elevator, you will reach the top. Hopefully with a little dignity, you will be able to walk over the bridge. You can descend the cliff via 225-stepwooden stairs built to preserve the original beauty of the trail. This place is highly recommended if you are looking for something to do in 1 day. Be prepared to find 6-ft guys crawling for their lives if you find them crossing the glass bridge. On the other hand, women tend to be more confident and poised to challenge their loved ones here.
Ceramics Museum and Glazed Glass Factory Tour. Ceramics are always accompanied during a great civilization. Zibo is no exception. Zibo is said to be the capital of ceramics in China since a great deal of artistry has come from here. In addition, Zibo is considered the birthplace of porcelain. As of today, it produces more porcelain than any other place in China. You can still buy porcelain souvenirs today when visiting the city!
Do make a stop at a very artsy ceramic and glazed glass themed hotel next door. All rooms and hallways are elaborately decorated. The hotel is a bargain. Should you wish to attend workshops that run all-year round are available for you to learn sniff-bottle painting, glazed artwork design and making. You can buy day, weekly or even annual pass for unlimited access to those classes.
Science Park. The city is also known for its large science center that attracts students to visit. The park is home to technology and pharmaceutical enterprises. There are 14 higher education institutions surrounding the park. Educational advancements through science and technology are huge attention getters in the area. The park contributes to the overall economy of Zibo.
While tourists continue to uncover “Real China” in Shandong, Shandong continues to uncover itself. History gets rewritten every few years. Beneath the current City of Zibo, there is a great civilization called the Qi Kingdom. It is very intriguing and enticing. In less than two hours by high speed train from Beijing, you can build a weekly agenda for a great civilization discovery.
PLANNING
Zibo is 183 km from Jinan. It takes less than two hours by car. Train is available with 45 min ride.
Day One: Zibo Museum Row – History, Culture, Soccer, Arts
Chariot Museum
Day Two: Qi Wall at Yuanshan National Forest Park
Zhou Village
Ceramics Museum
