71.Shandong Jining
Shandong Jining – Hometown of Confucius and Mencius
More than 2500 years ago, undeniably the greatest Chinese philosopher and teacher walked the areas of Jining. Confucius established a sense of hierarchy and moral order in a time of great struggle and uncertainty. Today, despite the many wars and influences over the years, millions of people come back to pay their respects to the man who changed Chinese thought. In the nearby walled town of Qufu, you will find San Kong, or The Three Confucian sites. It is here that you can find the oldest Confucian temple, the Forest of Confucius, and the Kong Family Mansion. Of course, Jining pays homage to more than just China’s First Sage.
Due to a long history of conflict, Shandong remembers a great number of political and military leaders; Jining is no exception. Long ago, one of China’s four greatest novels was written about 108 men from this place. Known in English as Outlaws of the Marsh or All Men Are Brothers, Shui Hu is a story of the men that fought together to right social injustices and protect the people. They robbed the wealthy and spread that wealth among the poor – you could say it’s a story of China’s “Robin Hood + 107”. Come see their stronghold, where students still learn the art of Kung Fu!
Due to its special connection with Confucianism, Jining contains a great number of temples and antiquities built through time. A short visit here will plunge you into an ocean of China’s long history. However the beauty of Jining is not in the landscape or its relics; the beauty is in Confucianism. Think of all China as a book: each city, temple, and mountain are the words that tell its story. But Confucianism is the letters that make the language and the reading of the book possible. Without it, the rest are only pretty pictures. Our advice for any traveler: first understand Confucianism, and then you will understand China.
Local Delicacies
Confucius’ Mansion Cuisine
As one of the three major branches of Shandong cuisine, Confucius’ Mansion Cuisine is the typical official style of China, integrating all the characteristics of the cuisines of south and north China. Some dishes of Confucius’ Mansion Cuisine are prepared with rare and precious materials, such as edible bird’s nests, shark’s fin, and bear’s paws. Confucius’ Mansion Cuisine also includes some dishes prepared with common vegetables, such as bean curd, bean sprouts, and spinach. Famous vegetable dishes include: Guota Bean Curd, Bean Curd with Flat Food, Bean Sprouts Spread with Edible Oil, and Sesames and Spinach.The Mansion of Confucius attaches great importance to cooking techniques.
Confucius’ Mansion Cakes
The Mansion of Confucius has a time-honored history of preparing cakes, which show complex techniques, deep and profound cultural references and characteristics. In the past, the cakes prepared by the Mansion of Confucius fell into two categories—some were for the family only; and the others were used as tributes, gifts, and awards. In the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the Mansion of Confucius often presented meticulously made cakes, such as Stir-fried Cake with Jujubes (Chanshou Crisp Cake) to the imperial family. Gradually a wide variety of high-quality cakes were created along with the development of cooking techniques. The cakes prepared by the Mansion of Confucius are vibrant in color, fragrant, and tasty, and are often paired with special kinds of soup.
Kongfujia (Confucius’ Mansion) Wine
In accordance with The Analects of Confucius, Zhuang Zi, and The Book of Odes, Kongfujia Wine is brewed with traditional and unusual techniques. The wine is gentle, sweet, and fragrant and offers a long aftertaste.
Yutang Pickles
The unique tasting sauce and pickles produced by Jining Yutang Pickles Shop enjoy popularity throughout China. In ancient times, pickled melons, eggplants, cucumbers, fish, and crabs were regularly sent to the imperial palace as tributes for emperors and the imperial family to enjoy. Today, Yutang-brand pickles are made with high-quality ingredients and traditional techniques.
Weishan Lake Fish Banquet
The fish banquet first appeared between the late Ming and the early Qing Dynasties. All the dishes served at the banquet were prepared with fresh fish from Weishan Lake. With well-selected seasonings and garnishes, fish dishes are cooked, steamed, stewed, stir-fried, or braised and come in various flavors including sweet, sour, spicy, and salty. All are delicious and pleasant-tasting with clear or milky soup. The most famous courses include “King Chu Bids Farewell to His Concubine,” “Picking Chrysanthemums at Dongle,” “Spring Silkworm Without Silk,” “The Carp Jumping over a Dragon Gate,” and “Qianlong Fish Strips.”
Ma Duck on Snow
Also called Fragrant and Crisp Duck, Ma Duck on Snow offers brown and tender meat that makes it the most famous dish of Weishan Lake. A medium-sized duck raised in Weishan Lake is selected, steamed, and then fried. Salted and fermented soya paste, pepper oil, and ground pepper is then added to the prepared duck, and placed on a plate with steamed egg white.
The local special products of Weishan Lake also include pickled fish, saturated crabs, hundred-year-old eggs, and salted duck eggs.
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