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View Plans & PricingArea: 5,965 km²
Population: ~4.7 million (2020)
Zibo means "Zi River" in Chinese, referring to the Zi River that flows through the city. It is located in central Shandong and was the capital of the ancient Qi state.
7.5/10 — Zibo is famous for three things: barbecue, ceramics, and ancient Qi culture. Locals are proud of their history and love their outdoor grill culture. The city is affordable, well-connected by high-speed rail, and has a surprisingly lively night market scene.
Zibo has no commercial airport; Jinan Yaoqiang Airport is the nearest. Zibo Railway Station and Zibo North Station connect to Jinan and Qingdao on the Qingdao–Jinan high-speed railway. Buses and taxis serve the city.
Shandong University of Technology and Zibo Vocational College are the main institutions.
Zibo lies in the central Shandong hills with a continental climate. It has mountains, rivers, and is famous for ceramics, coal, and chemical industries.
Visit the Qi Culture Museum, Zhoucun Ancient City, Zibo Ceramic Museum, and the original site of the Qi state.
Day 1: Qi Culture Museum and Ceramic Museum.
Day 2: Zhoucun Ancient City.
Try Zibo barbecue (famous grilled lamb skewers), Zhoucun baked biscuits, and Shandong-style noodles.
Buy Zibo ceramics, Zhoucun biscuits, and local snacks. Main shopping is in Zhangdian District.
Local Vibe: Zibo is where ancient China meets modern food culture. The old Qi state capital is now a hotspot for charcoal-grilled lamb skewers, drawing food tourists from across the country.
Fun Facts:
• Zibo's Zhoucun baked biscuit was a favorite snack of the Qing imperial court.
• The city was the capital of the ancient Qi state during the Spring and Autumn period — that is more than 2,500 years ago.
• Zibo was once one of the world's top ceramic production centers, and its clay teapots are still prized by tea lovers.
Zibo locals speak Shandong dialect (Jilu Mandarin). It sounds hearty and blunt. Three phrases to try:
干啥 (gà shá) — 'What are you doing?'
哈酒 (hā jiǔ) — 'Drink alcohol' — Shandong people are famous for their drinking culture.
老师儿 (lǎo shir) — A respectful way to address a stranger or service worker, literally 'teacher.'
• Guan Zhong — The famous chancellor of the Qi state, one of China's earliest economists and reformers, was associated with the Zibo area.
• Confucius — Heard about the 'music of Shao' at the Qi court near modern Zibo and was so moved he forgot the taste of meat for three months.
• Pu Songling — The author of Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio lived in nearby Zichuan District; his former home is now a museum.
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