Zibo travel guide
淄博
Zibo travel guide with a day by day itinerary, 6 places with tickets and opening hours, where to eat and stay, and how to get there.
6 places · In the guidebook: pages 1424–1430
Zibo, Shandong Province · AI illustration for China Trip
Quick itinerary
Zibo in 2 days
- Day 1
- Liaozhai Tourist Area→
- Ceramics Museum→
- Zhoucun Street
- Day 2
- Lushan Mountain→
- Jiutian Cave, Yiyuan
The feel of the place
Zibo's districts are spread far apart, like satellite towns, yet the sense of closeness between people seems untouched by distance. Zibo people are as straightforward as a Shandong steamed bun. Shaped by thousands of years of Confucian culture, the locals' every word and deed reflect the refinement of this land. Ever since the Western Zhou dynasty granted fiefs to its nobles some three thousand years ago, the character “齐” (Qi) has taken root here and never changed.
Zibo Culture
Zibo is the birthplace of Qi Culture and the hometown of Pu Songling. Each year in April and May, Zibo hosts the International Liaozhai Culture Tourism Festival, and in September it holds the Qi Culture Tourism Festival. These two periods are the best times to visit.
Preparation and Information
Climate and Travel Seasons
Zibo lies in the warm temperate zone and has a humid temperate monsoon climate, with four distinct seasons and rain and warmth arriving together. Spring and autumn are the most suitable seasons for a visit.
Things to see
The park is large and its ecology is excellent. It contains a sea of stones, and on the summit are remains of the Qi Great Wall, from which you can see the whole city. The Qi Great Wall is the oldest surviving Great Wall in China with accurately traceable remains and relatively good preservation. Every step here is steeped in history.
Tanxi Mountain
Tanxi Mountain is known for its cliffs, waterfalls, clear springs, karst caves, rift valleys and unusual rock formations, and it offers outstanding scenic value. From the summit you can look down on the bustling city and the distant green peaks. But don't just focus on the views. The area's history and culture are also worth your attention. According to historical records, Crown Prince Zhaoyang of the Ming dynasty took refuge here to study, and Zhaoyang Cave takes its name from him. Tang Saier once led an uprising here, and the Point-Commanding Platform, Sanjiao Ancestral Hall, ancient steles and old temples all date to her time.
0.5–1 day · ¥99 (ticket, glass skywalk and Star Cave legend)
Liaozhai City Scenic Area
The hometown of Pu Songling and one of Zichuan's best-known attractions. The Liaozhai cultural experience and atmosphere are fairly decent, but if you scrutinise the details, it doesn't hold up well. Many of the entertainment venues are man-made and not especially engaging.
1–2 hours · ¥80
Pu Songling Memorial Hall
Pu Songling's Former Residence is a simple, quiet courtyard. Above the doorway hangs a plaque inscribed by Guo Moruo reading “Pu Songling's Former Residence.” Inside, moon gates and flower walls are arranged with pleasing variety. The main hall of the North Courtyard is where Pu Songling was born and also his study, “Liaozhai,” and a portrait of him at the age of 74 hangs inside. Walk 100 metres east along the stone path in front of the residence to reach Liaozhai Garden.
1–3 hours · Free
Ceramics and Glazed Art Museum
Located in Culture Square in Zibo's city centre, the museum was converted from the former Zibo Exhibition Hall. It displays a large number of ceramics, but for non-specialists, it is mostly a feast for the eyes.
Ethnic Culture
Zhoucun Ancient Commercial City
A simple yet elegant cluster of Ming and Qing dynasty buildings, including residences, shops and temples. The architectural forms and decorations reflect the craftsmanship and culture of the Ming and Qing periods, giving it great historical and cultural value. Here you can experience authentic ancient commercial culture and deeply appreciate the rise, fall and evolution of business in old times.
3–4 hours · ¥50
Getting there & around
Rail
Zibo Railway Station has trains to cities within Shandong, such as Qingdao, Weihai, Mount Tai and Jinan, as well as to cities beyond the province, including Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Guangzhou, Zhengzhou, Nanjing and Hangzhou. The rail network is well developed, so arriving in and leaving Zibo is convenient. Zibo Railway Station is at the southern end of Zhongxin Road in Zhangdian. Buses 2, 96, 126 and 139 run from the city centre to the station.
Road
Zibo Long-Distance Bus Station is at 21 Xingyuan West Road in Zhangdian District, separated from Zibo Railway Station only by a street. Long-distance buses run from here to major cities within and beyond the province.
Getting Around the City
Buses cost ¥2 with air conditioning in summer and winter, and ¥1 at other times. Standard taxis start at ¥7.5 for the first 3 km, and luxury taxis start at ¥8 for the first 3 km.
Eat & drink
Boshan District in Zibo is the birthplace of Lu cuisine, one of China's Four Great Culinary Traditions. Zibo's food is concentrated mainly in Boshan and Zhoucun, and the most distinctive local dishes include Boshan Four Banquets, Boshan tofu boxes, Zhoucun shaobing (sesame flatbread), whole-lamb big-pot stew and braised fish lips.
The most “viral” of Zibo's dishes is undoubtedly Zibo barbecue. It is traditionally served with the “three-piece set” of green onion, small flatbread and dipping sauces, creating a rich layering of flavours that has prompted countless people to “travel to Zibo just for the grill.” Even more precious, however, is the warm, communal atmosphere of the grill-side barbecue, with its sense of human warmth.
Where to stay
Accommodation in Zibo is mainly concentrated in three areas: Zhangdian, Linzi and Boshan. Zhangdian is close to Zibo Bus Station and Zibo Railway Station, making shopping and sightseeing convenient. Linzi also has good transport links, with standard rooms typically around ¥300. Boshan is some distance from the city centre, about 20 minutes by car from the railway and bus stations.
Shopping
As an important commercial hub in Shandong, Zibo has no shortage of things to buy wherever you go. Several items are especially worth buying: ceramics and glazed ware from Boshan, silk and shaobing from Zhoucun, carved porcelain and inside-painted bottles from Zichuan, and reed products from Madahu Lake in Huantai, among others.
Source: China Self-Guided Travel 2025 (《中国自助游》, Tianjin Science & Technology Press, Aug 2024), pp. 1424–1430. Translated from the Chinese edition; names and prices follow the guidebook. · Plain text version