Shandong Province is one of ten coastal provinces in China. It is located in the eastern part of China on the lower reaches of Yellow River. It borders Bohai and Yellow Sea to the east, overlooking the Korean Peninsula and Japan Archipelago across a vast extension of sea. It occupies an area of 156,000 square kilometers with the second largest population of over 90 million in China.

With a history of more than 5,000 years, Shandong is regarded as one of the birthplaces of Chinese civilization. Confucianism, founded by Confucius, the great thinker, educator and statesman in Spring-autumn period (551-479BC) is the mainstay of traditional Chinese culture and has great influence in the world.

Jinan is the provincial capital city of Shandong. It is one of China's most famous historical and cultural cities. With numerous natural springs, it gets the name "Spring City". The Province is considered the birthplace of China's pottery, porcelain and silk. Famous traditional items include clocks and watches of Yantai, porcelain of Zibo, kites of Weifang, shell-carving and beer of Qingdao.

Mount Taishan, Mt. Laoshan and the scenery of Jiaodong peninsula are the most famous scenic spots. In 1987 and 1994, Mount Taishan, the Temple and Cemetery of Confucius and the Confucius Mansion in Qufu were enlisted into the China World Cultural and Natural Heritage List by UNESCO. Baotu Spring is the "first spring under heaven" in the "city of springs"---Jinan.