Zibo
29.07.2008 - 01.08.2008
38 °C
One of the sights we wanted to see around Jinan was Zibo - (pronounced z bah). Barbara and I decided this time we would just base ourselves in Zibo. We had heard mixed reports about Zibo ie don't go it's terrible, the Chinese don't like it, the pollution is bad, there is nothing to do or see, all the way to you will have a great time. Well we have a great time every where we go! We took no notice and headed to Zibo.
Zibo has a population of 4.1M. There are 5 districts - Zhangdian, Zichuan, Boshan, Linzi, Zhoucan.
Zibo is in the center of Shandong Province, neighboring Mt Tai in the south (that's where I live) and backing the Yellow River in the north. It is also bordered by coastal tourist cities, Qingdao, Yantai and Weihai, and the capital city of the province, Jinan is west. The city is a vital communication hub of Shandong.
Zibo was the capital city of Qi Kingdom, one of the five powers in the Spring and Autumn Period (770 BC - 476 BC). Cuju, a game regarded as the origin of ancient football, has risen since then, and Zibo is titled to be the birthplace of football by FIFA. Zibo, as the name of the city, began in the early 1920's for the exploitation of coal mines in Zichuan and Boshan.
Zibo is located in the transition zone between mountainous area in central Shandong and North China Plain. It's southern area is occupied by mountains, the centre is hilly and the northern part is plain area.
July is the hottest month and probably not a good time to go. Spring is probably ideal. Best to avoid January and July as the coldest and hottest months.
Local specialties include handicrafts: inside painting, colored glaze, silk, ceramics, Zi Inkstone; Foods: apple, Jinsi (golden threads) and duck egg
Posted by Bettinamc 03.08.2008 03:53 Archived in China
