Shandong (山东) · 9 places · 7 cities
9 places in Shandong, grouped by city. Under each one are two figures from the survey: how much daily life still goes on there, out of 100, and how far it has been turned over to visitors, out of 6.
Most common here: Old quarter of a city (4), Walled city (3), Historic street (1). See all provinces, or the background on old towns.
2 places
Jining (济宁)
| Place | Kind | Reads as |
|---|---|---|
| Nanyang Ancient Town (微山南阳古镇)A canal island town on Weishan Lake, an ancient Grand Canal hub where Kangxi and Qianlong emperors stayed, only reachable by boat, with old streets, temples, and fishermen still living on the lake.Lived-in 78/100 · Commercialised 2/6 · rarely visited from abroad · hard to reach | Old town | Lived-in, quiet |
| Qufu Ming Old City (曲阜明故城)The Ming dynasty walled city surrounding the Temple of Confucius (UNESCO 1994), where Confucius’ descendants lived for 2,500 years, and locals still live inside the walls near the Cemetery of Confucius.Lived-in 68/100 · Commercialised 3/6 · well known abroad · easy to reach | Walled city | Thin on both |
2 places
Qingdao (青岛)
| Place | Kind | Reads as |
|---|---|---|
| Dabaodao & Liyuan Courtyards (青岛大鲍岛-里院)Qingdao’s unique “liyuan”, German-arch courtyards with Chinese central patios where locals dry laundry, water flowers, and cook fish in shared corridors, the real old Qingdao beyond Badaguan villas.Lived-in 82/100 · Commercialised 3/6 · little known abroad · easy to reach | Old quarter of a city | Lived-in, quiet |
| Badaguan (青岛八大关)8 streets named after Great Wall passes with 200+ European villas (Russian, British, German, French) from 1920s-30s, where plane trees shade every road and it opens to the sea.Lived-in 68/100 · Commercialised 2/6 · known abroad · very easy to reach | Old quarter of a city | Thin on both |
1 place
Jinan (济南)
| Place | Kind | Reads as |
|---|---|---|
| Jinan Old City (济南老城)A northern Chinese city where natural springs still flow through old hutongs, locals wash clothes by the spring, children catch fish, and willow trees shade every lane.Lived-in 85/100 · Commercialised 3/6 · little known abroad · easy to reach | Old quarter of a city | Lived-in, quiet |
1 place
Liaocheng (聊城)
| Place | Kind | Reads as |
|---|---|---|
| Dongchang Ancient City (聊城东昌古城)A square Ming city surrounded by Dongchang Lake (6.3 sq km), listed as the largest city lake in northern China, with the 112m Guangyue Tower (1374) and Shan-Shaan guild hall.Lived-in 75/100 · Commercialised 2/6 · rarely visited from abroad · easy to reach | Walled city | Lived-in, quiet |
1 place
Weifang (潍坊)
| Place | Kind | Reads as |
|---|---|---|
| Qingzhou Ancient City (青州古城)A free 5A ancient city where 20,000 locals still live, including an 800-year-old Hui Muslim street (Zhaode) with Qing Dynasty stone pavements and traditional food, no ticket needed.Lived-in 86/100 · Commercialised 3/6 · rarely visited from abroad · easy to reach | Walled city | Lived-in, quiet |
1 place
Yantai (烟台)
| Place | Kind | Reads as |
|---|---|---|
| Suochengli-Chaoyang Street (烟台所城里-朝阳街)The 600-year-old birthplace of Yantai, a Ming fortress with cross-shaped streets and 200+ courtyard homes, connected to the 1872 Chaoyang Street with German consulate buildings.Lived-in 72/100 · Commercialised 3/6 · little known abroad · easy to reach | Old quarter of a city | Lived-in, quiet |
1 place
Zibo (淄博)
| Place | Kind | Reads as |
|---|---|---|
| Zhoucun Ancient Commercial City (周村古商城)China’s “living ancient commercial street museum”, a 500m Ming-Qing merchant street where Ruifuxiang silk (the brand that inspired Walmart’s Sam Walton) still operates, and locals haven’t been moved out.Lived-in 80/100 · Commercialised 3/6 · little known abroad · easy to reach | Historic street | Lived-in, quiet |
Which of These Is Still a Town
The two scores narrow the list, and the last step is local: which lanes are worth the walk, which day of the week the place is itself, and where to stay inside the walls. Tell our local team the provinces you will be in and they will say which of these hold up.