A former prefecture-level city, Laiwu (莱芜; Láiwú) is a district of Jinan in Shandong Province. It comprises a distinct urban area on the Wen River (汶河), to the southeast of the central Jinan regions. It is a center of industry, with a population of approximately 1.37 million. Some Chinese regard it as one of the most beautiful and the most suitable for living of industry-based urban areas.
For the purposes of this article, two districts of Jinan are covered together: Laiwu District and Gangcheng District (formerly a district of Laiwu, while it had the city status).
The history of Laiwu goes back to the Spring and Autumn Period (春秋时代 chūnqiū shídài), 771 to 403 BCE, when it was the capital of the ancient Mou State (牟国). It is sometimes called "Yingmou" (赢牟) because of that, and has the nickname "Phoenix City" (凤城) because of some magic old stories.
Since the 1960s, Laiwu has been an important center of China's steel industry. A prefecture-level city of its own for some time, with two districts (Laicheng District, now Laiwu District, and Gangcheng District), in 2019 it was merged into Jinan, the capital of Shandong province.
Laiwu has a warm temperate semi-humid monsoon climate, with four distinct seasons.
Laiwudong Railway Station, Daqiao N. Rd, Laiwu District, 36.22948°, 117.68805°. Laiwudong is the only passenger station in Laiwu.
Trains from major cities not too far away include:
Laiwu bus terminal, Wenhe Street, Laiwu District, 36.19869°, 117.69414°. The largest bus station in Laiwu.
If you are travelling from within Shandong Province, going by bus is probably the easiest way. Especially now with the new excellent and fast expressways linking Laiwu with the provincial metropolitan areas. There are several buses per day from the central districts of Jinan, as well as from Tai'an, Qufu, as well as Qingdao and Rizhao on the coast.
Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport (济南遥墙国际机场), 36.85122°, 117.21079°. You can fly to Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport and take the bus to Laiwu. The trip takes about 2 hours and costs ¥60. 2022-10-31
Laiwu is a very important transportation hub in Shandong Province. Several new expressways connect Laiwu.
Jinghu Expressway (G2京沪高速) <u>Beijing-Shanghai</u>
Qinglan Expressway (G22青兰高速) <u>Qingdao-Lanzhou</u>
Laitai Expressway (S26莱泰高速) <u>Laiwu-Tai'an</u>
Bintai Expressway (S29滨台高速) <u>Binzhou-Taierzhuang</u>
The bus fare is ¥1, and the air-conditioned bus fare is ¥2. Buses starting with K have air conditioning, even if the air conditioning is off. Buses starting with K20 is a long-distance bus with a fare of ¥3. It usually comes from or goes to the suburb (it may be far away). It may not be convenient for foreign tourists to take the bus, because the voice broadcast at the bus stop or on the bus usually does not have English.
Taxi drivers usually don't speak English, and they usually can't read English maps or your destination. Therefore, in order to ensure your arrival at the destination, please make sure that you write it in Chinese, or use the mobile app to take a taxi. The fare starts from ¥7. It is difficult to take a taxi after 21:00 or in a remote place. If you can speak Chinese, you can call the taxi company (+86 0531 667788). If you can't speak Chinese, you can call a taxi by using the mobile phone application.
Laiwu has 70 public bicycle stations, totaling 2100 bicycles. You can borrow and ride free of charge within one hour with your card. When it is almost one hour, you can find a public bicycle station nearby to swipe your card and change your car, and you can enjoy another free bicycle for one hour. If you hold a bicycle IC card from other cities in Shandong Province, you can also use it in Laiwu.
It's usual for tourists who travel to Laiwu to focus on the downtown district area. Those who stay longer might spend time in the Xueye Tourist Area, with its distinct attractions, such as culinary specialties, beautiful scenery, and the aviation sports center. Of course, for those who come in winter, there is also a good ski resort.
Redstone Park (红石公园), Gongyuan Road, Laiwu District (take bus K16, K17, K8 and get off at Hongzhi Park Station), 36.21326°, 117.66635°. 24 hr. Laiwu Hongshi Park is located in the center of Laiwu. It covers a total area of 54 hectares, including Yuebo Lake, Hongshi Valley, and Hongshi Waterfall. Hongshi Park is the largest open civic park in the district. Hongshi Valley was formed in the Mesozoic Jurassic more than 100 million years ago. Due to the intense crustal movement at that time, the climate gradually turned dry, and the impact of the basin type sedimentary environment, the red rock formed is called "Hongshi". free 2022-11-07
The West Sea Park (西海公园), No. 25, Shunhe West Street, Laiwu District (take bus No.7 and K9 to Xihai Park Station), 36.19593°, 117.62661°. 24 hr. This park is to the south of Wenhe Avenue, close to Wenhe River, with a planned area of 94000 m². Provide rest and activity places for nearby residents and passers-by. free 2022-11-07
Lianhe Park (莲河公园), No. 69, Wenhua North Road, Laiwu District (take Bus No. 101, K26, 7, K19 and get off at Jianshe Mansion Station), 36.23356°, 117.67093°. 24 hr. Located in the north of Laiwu urban area, it is built along the Lianhe River. free 2022-11-07
Xueye Tourist Area](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/09/%E9%9B%AA%E9%87%8E%E6%B9%96.jpg/440px-雪野湖.jpg)
Xueye Tourist Area (雪野湖旅游区), 36.421989°, 117.589304°. An artificial lake to the north of Laiwu city,There are many fresh fish restaurants, large hotels, water sports venues, air sports venues and camping bases. Xueye Lake is only half an hour's drive from Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport to Xueye Lake Tourist Area. 2018-01-28
Fanggan Eco Tourism Area (房干生态旅游区), Xueye Tourist Area in the north of Laiwu District (3 express buses depart daily from the Laiwu Bus Terminal; if you miss that bus, you may like to consider taking the K204 to Shangyou (上游) and then catching a taxi from there; Fanggan Eco Tourism Area is about 13 km from Shangyou), 36.42260030°, 117.43444673°, +86 0531 76386366. 07:00-17:00. ¥52 to visit Jiulong Canyon & Jintai Mountain, ¥52 to visit Fantasy Lovers Valley & Shiyun Mountain, ¥82 to visit all four sites. 2018-01-28
Huashan National Forest Park (华山国家森林公园), Located in the northwestern mountainous area of Laiwu District (the park is 30 km away from Lae City, and it takes about 40 minutes by car; Laiwu city can be reached by car from Laicheng to Huashan Forest Farm or from Laiwu to Dawangzhuang and Dahuashu), 36.37937457°, 117.51276250°. This park belongs to the branch of Mount Tai, more than 30 km away from the center of the district. The park is divided into three scenic spots, namely Bailongtan Scenic Spot, Dazhouyuan Scenic Spot, and Yongning Gu Scenic Spot. Huashan National Forest Park is a national 2A-level tourist area. The highest point in the west is Xiangshan Mountain, with an altitude of 918.7 meters, which is the highest mountain in the city. The highest point in the east is Dashan, with an altitude of 823 meters. The park is rich in species resources, including more than 200 species of trees from 50 families, forming a forest of nearly 4,000 hectares dominated by evergreen forests, with a forest coverage rate of 87%. The dense forest resources have created a good ecological environment for the habitat and reproduction of various wild animals. Ticket price ¥20 2022-09-30
Qishan National Forest Park (棋山国家森林公园), 36.11029622°, 117.89036752°. Qishan is in the east of Lixin Street, Gangcheng District. It is 596 meters above sea level and covers an area of 120000 square kilometers. The total area is 250000 square kilometers. In 2000, it was rated as "Provincial Forest Park", and in 2014, it was rated as "National Forest Park". Qishan Scenic Area has beautiful natural scenery. With the beautiful legend of "One day in the mountains, one hundred years in the world", it is one of the eight scenic spots in Laiwu. Qishan's food culture is very attractive. Qishan has become a unique tourist attraction integrating natural landscape, cultural landscape and catering culture. free 2022-10-05.
Shandong Xiangshan International Tourist Resort (山东香山国际旅游度假区), Dawangzhuang, northwest of Laiwu City, 30 km away from Laicheng (take the K206 bus Laiwu Bus terminal, and then transfer to Longwei minibus), 36.41165370°, 117.41832078°, +86 0531 76587199, xiangshanlvyou@126.com. 08:00-18:00. This national AAAA scenic spot, in Dawangzhuang Town, Laiwu District, has a vast area, a humid climate, and a long geological history. Its vast mountains, both inside and outside, are pregnant with endless natural resources. The Fragrant Hill is a collection of thousands of years of heaven and earth creation, condensed fragrance and brilliant charm, forming a beautiful scenery and a magnificent natural statue of God "looking up to the Buddha to see the sky" and "looking at the moon with purple clouds"; The mountains are rich in herbs, fragrant flowers, fragrant fruits, fragrant stems and many other plants with rich floral fragrance; The mountains in the scenic area are winding and magnificent, with dense vegetation, rich species, fresh air, high content of negative oxygen ions, unique natural resources and excellent original ecological environment. Ticket Price¥80 2022-10-05
Laiwu Lianhua Mountain Scenic Area (莱芜莲花山风景区), Liujialin Village, Gaozhuang Town, 15 km south of Laiwu (take bus 60 from South Gate of Hongshi Park; get off at Lianhuashan Station; the bus fare is ¥2), 36.09029508°, 117.66231786°, +86 0531 76080766, lwlianhuashan@126.com. 8:30-17:00. Its main peak, Lihuajian, is 999 meters above sea level, the highest peak in Jinan. Because Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty visited the immortals here, he built the "Palace of Encountering Immortals" on the top of the mountain, so it is also known as the "Palace Mountain Sunset". Laiwu Lianhua Mountain Scenic Area is the first mountain in Jinan worthy of the name. There are many beautiful natural landscapes in the scenic area, which is a tourist attraction with ecological and Buddhist cultural tourism highlights. ¥50 2022-10-06
There is no large mall in Laiwu. Tourists can have activities near the municipal government. There is a business district that integrates the shopping center of Laiwu.
The first house in the harem (后宫第一家), Laowa Village, Gangcheng District, 36.09112983°, 117.87706914°, +86 15163459929. 08:00-20:30. The specialty of our restaurant is Qishan fried chicken. Qishan fried chicken is a traditional famous dish in Laiwu, belonging to Shandong cuisine. It is red, chewy and spicy. Qishan fried chicken attracts diners from all directions with its mellow, simple and affordable style. ¥70 per person 2022-10-06
Ma Qing'an Mutton Soup Restaurant (马庆安羊汤馆), 141 Huayuan South Road, Laiwu District, 36.1951°, 117.67551°, +86 0531 76217762. 9:00-21:00. Laiwu Mutton Soup is very famous. It is finely processed. It is a unique secret recipe of high-quality goats from stocking and careful cooking, and it is a pure green food. The unique ancestral secret recipe is cooked with the whole sheep. Mutton soup is authentic. ¥60 per person 2022-10-06
Laiwu Shunxiangzhai (莱芜顺香斋), Changshao North Road, Laiwu District, 36.23119°, 117.66285°, +86 18763468688. 08:00-18:30. Laiwu Shunxiangzhai mainly sells Laiwu sausage and dried pork. Laiwu sausage is dark brown, greasy, mellow, rich in nutrition and good in storage. The raw material of Laiwu sausage and dried pork is a kind of black pork produced locally in Laiwu. Laiwu sausage and dried meat are a kind of pickled meat dishes with salty taste. Therefore, Laiwu Shunxiangzhai cannot be eaten in the shop, but can only be packed and taken away. 2022-10-06
There are few bars and nightclubs in the western sense in Laiwu. Most of the alcohol is drunk at dinner, or beer is also served at the street barbecue at night, such as Luzhong Food City. In the east of Qingcaohe, you can find many Chinese teahouses, milk tea shops and more and more coffee shops to find good drinks.
If you are not a Chinese, there are not many hotels for you to choose from, but they are almost all in Laiwu District and Xueye Tourist Area, which are generally places for tourists to visit.
Laiwu Hotel (莱芜宾馆), No. 1, Wenyang Street, Laiwu District, 36.21743°, 117.67093°, +86 0531 76231148. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. Laiwu Hotel is of high grade, undertaking the important political reception task of the government and serving the society. ¥340-460 per night for a room 2022-10-05
Longyuan Hotel (龙园宾馆), 18 Fenghuang Road, Laiwu District, 36.22271°, 117.71781°, +86 0531 78812888 +86 0531 78812999. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. Longyuan Hotel is a four-star hotel integrating accommodation, entertainment, leisure, conference and other functions. It undertakes the important political reception task of the municipal government and serves the society at the same time. The hotel has unique design and elegant environment. It is a garden hotel with Chinese traditional characteristics. ¥136-1286 per night for a room 2022-10-05
Hampton by Hilton Jinan Laiwu (济南莱芜希尔顿欢朋酒店), No. 1, Shijicheng Road, Laiwu District, 36.23949°, 117.70954°, +86 0531 78222222. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. It is a high-end hotel built according to international brand standards. Of course, the cost is relatively high ¥400-1000 per night for a room 2022-10-05