SHUI JIAO GU SHI

This theme restaurant is well decorated, with a large space inside and many small rooms. The service is attentive and enthusiastic, and the dishes are served quickly. I like the Spanish mackerel dumplings here. They taste very fresh and delicious.

Complete variety, good taste, clean dining environment and thoughtful service.

There are many varieties of dumplings, and the taste, environment and service are all good.

The dumplings are quite varied, with all kinds of fillings, and the taste is OK. The restaurant is relatively clean and the service is OK. It is suitable for mass consumption.

Who says Shandong is only about Mount Tai and the sea? I just visited these four hidden gems last week, and each one made me want to quit my job and settle down there! There are no crowds of internet-famous tourist attractions, just pristine mountains and waters, bustling old streets, and insatiable local flavors. Visiting two would make you a "travel winner," and I've checked in on all four. I feel like I've completely exceeded my travel KPI this year! 🚗 1. Weihai Rongcheng | Embrace the sea and swans in winter 🌊 As Shandong's easternmost county, Rongcheng's sea is quieter than Qingdao's and more "wild" than Yantai's. Especially in autumn and winter, it's so beautiful it's tempting to just wrap yourself in a down jacket and stare blankly! - 🌟 Secret Must-Sees: ① Yandunjiao Swan Lake: From November to March, you can spot wild whooper swans! At 6 a.m. in the morning mist, the sound of swans paddling is like broken glass. Standing by the lake in a light-colored jacket, any photo you take will look like a screenshot from a documentary about humans and nature—no need to bother with angles. ② Naxianghai Diamond Beach: In the summer, there are so few people that you can enjoy the ocean all to yourself. The beach is milky white and soft to the touch. In the evening, you can see the "orange sea," and at sunset, the waves shimmer with golden light. Remember to bring a picnic mat—the sea breeze is so comfortable until dark! - 🍜 Must-try dishes: Freshly made Spanish mackerel dumplings (filled with freshly caught Spanish mackerel, they're juicy and delicious when dipped in vinegar), and seaweed buns (the stall at the entrance to the market is the most authentic, 2 for 5 yuan, enough to eat 3 hot). - 💡 Tip: Avoid wearing dark clothes when visiting Swan Lake in winter! The contrast with the snow and swans will make your photos look darker. The wind is strong at the beach, so be sure to bring a scarf and gloves, otherwise your hands will be too cold to take photos. 2. Linyi · Yinan | A "Little Jiangnan" hidden in the mountains 🎋 Who would have thought Shandong had a "secret bamboo forest"? Yinan's landscape is like a filter, awash in green. In the summer, it's 5°C cooler than the city, making it perfect for a leisurely trip with kids or friends. - 🌟 Secret must-dos: ① Bamboo Spring Village: This isn't a commercialized ancient town! The bamboo in the village is taller than a person, and the spring water flows from the cracks in the rocks. You can drink it directly (it's cool and sweet). Walking along the stone pavement, you can see elderly people weaving bamboo baskets at the door. The atmosphere is so familiar. ② Underground Grand Canyon: Wear sandals! There's underground river rafting, a one-hour trip. The current isn't fast, but it's thrilling, with occasional splashes. It's a great way to cool down in the summer. As you exit the cave, you can see a ray of light streaming in, which is so soothing. - 🍜 Must-try dishes: Yinan Fried Chicken (made with local pheasant, spicy yet not dry, served with flatbread, which is perfect dipped in the broth), Tofu Rolls (freshly baked at a street vendor, filled with chives and tofu, and incredibly fragrant when warm). - 💡 Tip: Don't buy the "bamboo tube milk tea" at the entrance of Zhuquan Village! It's expensive and unpalatable. Instead, try the freshly squeezed hawthorn juice sold by the villagers for 10 yuan for three cups, a sweet and sour refreshing treat. 3. Tai'an · Dongping | "A Watery Secret" from the Water Margin 🚢 When you think of Tai'an, do you only know Mount Tai? Dongping Lake has a more "jianghu" vibe than West Lake. It's home to the "Eight Hundred Miles of Water Margin" in "Water Margin." When cruising the lake, you always feel like a "hero" will row by at any second. - 🌟 Secret Must-Sees: ① Dongping Lake Wetland: Avoid the overpriced scenic boat tours! Find a fisherman near the lake and rent a small boat (50 yuan per hour). They'll take you deep into the reed marshes, where you can spot waterfowl and wild ducks. In autumn, when the reeds turn yellow, the lake looks like a layer of gold foil, creating a cinematic experience in your photos. ② Daicun Dam: An ancient "water conservancy miracle"! The stone paths along the dam are a delight to walk on. In the summer, there are shallows below the dam where you can wade in the water and catch small fish. In the evening, sitting by the dam and watching the sunset, the reflection of the sunset on the lake is so beautiful that you won't want to leave. - 🍜 Must-try dishes: Dongping fermented fish (made with lake fish, the bones are stewed until softened, and the flavor is salty and fragrant. It's enough to eat two bowls with rice), and lake shrimp paste (made by the villagers themselves, spread on steamed buns or pancakes, it's so delicious that it's eye-catching. 15 yuan a bottle makes a great souvenir). - 💡 Tip: Avoid the "Water Margin-themed restaurants" around Dongping Lake! The food is expensive and not authentic. Try the "lakeside restaurants" in the county town, frequented by locals, for delicious and affordable food. 4. Weifang · Qingzhou | "Slow Time" in a Millennium Ancient City 🏯 Qingzhou is Shandong's "Millennium Ancient County." Less crowded than Pingyao and more lively than Lijiang, Qingzhou boasts a vibrant atmosphere. Walking along the old streets, you'll see elderly people basking in the sun in their doorways and children chasing each other in the alleys. It's like stepping back in time to childhood. - 🌟 Must-do Secrets: ① Qingzhou Ancient City: Don't just stick to the main street! Explore the side alleys, like Ouyuan Street and Wei Street, where you'll find many old courtyards and artisan shops. You can buy handmade malt sugar (freshly made and sold, sweet but not greasy) and small ornaments made by veteran carpenters for just 10 yuan each. ② Huanghua Creek: A summer escape! Walking up the stream, you'll find waterfalls and greenery along the way, the air filled with the fragrance of nature. At the top, you'll see a glass plank road. It's not high, but the view is amazing, with distant green mountains and villages. - 🍜 Must-try dishes: Qingzhou Rou Huo Shao (fresh from the oven, the crust is super crispy, and the meat filling is full when you bite into it. Paired with a bowl of tofu pudding, it's a perfect breakfast), Qiu Gao (made with yellow rice and red dates, soft, sweet, and super warming in winter. The most authentic ones are sold at the stalls at the entrance to the market). - 💡 Tip: Avoid the lines at the popular check-in spots in the ancient city! For example, the Zhuangyuan Well and the Catholic Church are even more photogenic. The old walls and wooden doors in the alleys are actually even more photogenic; you can capture photos just standing there. These four county towns, some by the sea, some by the lake, some hidden in the mountains, and some brimming with ancient charm, each have their own unique charm. No need for a specific guide; just follow your instincts. My favorites are Rongcheng's seaside and Qingzhou's ancient city. If you've visited both, you're a real winner! I plan to take my parents to Yinan again next time so they can experience Shandong's "Little Jiangnan" too. ✨ #ShandongTravelGuide #ShandongTravel #WhereToWeekend #ShandongNearbyTours #WeekendMicroTours