In July 2009 I embarked on a three week tour around Shandong Province in eastern China. It was my first time traveling the country and it turned out to be a magical trip, a real assault on the senses that sparked a lifelong fascination with China. 

This was long before I’d even thought of becoming a travel blogger. Consequently, it was a real challenge cobbling together the images needed for this modest series of travel reports.

Moreover, I had to contend with my somewhat muddled memory. Happily, my good habit of note-taking proved an invaluable resource. So I got there in the end…. just about.

For more on this fascinating region of China, why not dive into my travel reports from:

Jinan

Qingdao

Qufu

Tai’an

Yantai

Zhujiayu

I’ve also written a number of short stories about my Shandong Province escapades. The below chapters are all taken from my short story collection Challenged in China.

The City and The Village Part I

The City and The Village Part II

Two Men and a Refrigerator

Take No Notice

Don’t Let Me Down

The Jellyfish Factor

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