Steeped in natural and supernatural allure, the Shandong peninsula on China’s northeastern coast is the stuff of legends. Its captivating landscape – a fertile flood plain fed by rivers and underground springs, capped by granite peaks and framed in wild coastline – can’t help but inspire wonder.

A lumpy-headed boy named Confucius was born here and grew up to develop a philosophy of virtue and ethics that would reach far beyond his lectures under an apricot tree. Three centuries later China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, would climb Tài Shān, Shandong’s highest peak, to proclaim a unified empire in 219 BC.

But Shandong is more than the sum of its historical parts. The energetic buzz in seaside Qingdao ranks the city among the best places to live in Asia. This is Shandong’s real draw: you can climb mountains, feast on fine seafood, quaff beer and still find time to hit the beach.

Highlights

· Tai Shan Climbing the slopes of this sacred Taoist mountain, where stones speak the wisdom of millennia and views range in all directions.

· Qingdao Chilling by the sea with a pitcher (or plastic bag) of China’s most famous brew.

· Qufu Perusing the ancient home town of local boy and philosophical heavyweight Confucius.

· Zhujiayu Overnighting in the charming, rural vignette of this Ming-dynasty village.

·  Ji’nan Strolling among the swaying willows, quiet waterways and ancient residential alleyways of the city famously built on top of 72 artesian springs.

· Lao Shan Forging uphill in search of Taoist secrets and magnificent views.

·  Yantai Feeling the ocean breeze on your cheeks as you explore the history of this prosperous port city.

·  Penglai Pavilion Discovering the legends of immortals, pirates and mirages.