History & Culture

Jinan is one of the essential birthplaces of the Chinese civilization. Shun, a chieftain of the pristine tribe was born and lived around Jinan. Chengzi Cliff in eastern Jinan is the place where Longshan Civilization (4600—4000 years ago) of late Neolithic Age was found with the basalt as its symbol. At this site, about 200,000 square meters of China’s oldest city relics was discovered. Jinan enjoys a history of more than 2600 years. When the Shire and County System was established by the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty, Jinan belonged to Jibei Shire. At the beginning of Han Dynasty, Jinan Shire was founded. Consequently, Jinan got its name. Since the Ming and the Qing dynasties, Jinan has been the capital of Shandong Province. The city of Jinan was set up in July, 1929.

　There are many historic sites in Jinan such as Shungeng Mountain which is the ruin of the Shun Civilization (22nd century B.C.); Qi Great Wall (built in the 3rd century B.C) which is even older than the Qin Great Wall; China’s oldest ground structure--the stone ancestral temple of Xiaotangshan Guoshi of the Han Dynasty (built in the 1st century B.C); China’s oldest stone pagoda—Liubu Four-Door Pagoda of Sui Dynasty (built in the 7th century); The colorful sculptures at Lingyan Temple of the Song Dynasty( built in the 11th century) which are praised as the “Best Sculptures in China”.

　Jinan is also the home to many celebrities such as Bianque, founder of the Chinese traditional medicine science; Fang Xuanling and Qin Qiong, men of great merit in founding the Tang Dynasty (618-907); Well--known litterateurs such as Li Qingzhao and Xin Qiji. In addition, outstanding scholars such as Li Bai, Du Fu, Su Shi, Zeng Gong also lived in or visited Jinan in the past. As a result, it comes to an agreement that ‘there are many celebrities in Jinan’.