Qixia City, Yantai, Shandong — 'China's Apple Capital' and 'Hometown of Jiaodong Manor Culture', home to Mou Family Manor, the largest Qing dynasty landlord manor in the country, birthplace of Qiu Chuji, one of the founders of the Quanzhen School of Taoism. Ya Mountain red leaves and Aishan hot springs are renowned in Jiaodong. Unlock the unique charm interweaving 'manor, Taoist charm, landscape, fruit fragrance' in 3 days and 2 nights.
Explore Mou Family Manor to learn the story of Jiaodong merchant guilds, visit Taixu Palace to comprehend Quanzhen Taoist charm, climb Ya Mountain to admire the forest ablaze with color, pick Qixia apples to taste pastoral sweetness, unlocking Qixia's quadruple charm of 'Manor Epic, Taoist Spirit, Landscape Beauty, Fruit Fragrance'
In the morning, explore Mou Family Manor, wandering through 480 old rooms to decipher the rise and fall of a Jiaodong wealthy clan. In the afternoon, visit the museum to trace Qixia's history. In the evening, stroll Old City Street to feel the old Jiaodong atmosphere, and stay overnight in a manor-themed homestay to experience ancient charm.
In the morning, visit Taixu Palace to trace Qiu Chuji's Taoist footsteps. In the afternoon, climb Ya Mountain National Forest Park to admire strange peaks and odd rocks. In late autumn, enjoy the mountain covered in red leaves. In the evening, stay in a mountain village homestay and taste wild mountain flavors.
In the morning, soak in Aishan Hot Springs to relax, experience specialty wellness springs. In the afternoon, explore the Apple Culture Exhibition Hall to learn the sweet history of 'China's Apple Capital', pick fresh apples by hand. In the evening, shop for apple derivatives before departure.
Traditional Qixia famous dish, originating in the Qing dynasty. Made from locally free-range chicken, processed through marinating, blanching, frying, and braising. The meat is tender and falls off the bone, with rich braised aroma. The 'finale dish' of Mou Family Manor banquets, with the folk saying 'no braised chicken, no feast', selected in Yantai's intangible cultural heritage list.
Traditional Qixia banquet form, named for serving in eight large bowls. Dishes are mostly stewed, steamed, and braised Jiaodong farm dishes, common items include 'Crispy Meat Bowl', 'Chicken Bowl', 'Tofu Box', and 'Seaweed Bowl'. Meat and vegetable combinations reflect the 'generous' food culture of Jiaodong, a standard banquet for festivals or entertaining guests.
Mou Family Manor specialty dish. Tofu cut into cubes, hollowed out and filled with pork, shrimp, wood ear mushroom and other fillings, deep-fried and topped with thick sauce. Crispy outside and tender inside, salty and delicious. Shaped like a 'treasure chest', symbolizing 'wealth and fortune', a classic vegetarian dish at manor banquets.
An innovative cuisine series using Qixia apples as ingredient, including apple stir-fried pork, apple stewed ribs, candied apple, apple juice, etc. Combining the sweet and sour flavor of apples with dishes, retaining fruit aroma while cutting grease, a unique culinary experience of the 'Apple Capital'.