Museum sights in Shāndōng
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Confucius Mansions
Adjacent to the Confucius Temple are the Confucius Mansions, a maze of 450 halls, rooms, buildings and side passages originally dating from the 16th century.
The mansions were the most sumptuous aristocratic lodgings in China, indicative of the Kong family's former power. From the Han to the Qing dynasties, the descendants of Confucius were ennobled and granted privileges by the emperors. They lived like kings themselves, with 180-course meals, servants and consorts.
Qūfù grew around the Confucius Mansions and was an autonomous estate administered by the Kongs, who had powers of taxation and execution. Emperors could drop in to visit; the Ceremonial Gate near the south entr…
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Yāntái Museum
The current home of the museum is a fabulous guildhall built by merchants and sailors of Fújiàn as a place of worship to Tianhou. Sadly, the museum will be moving into a modern, less atmospheric building just 100m west along Nan Dajie.
The main hall of the museum is known as the Hall of Heavenly Goddess, designed and finished in Guǎngzhōu, and then shipped to Yāntái for assembly. Beyond the hall, in the centre of the courtyard, is the museum's most spectacular sight: a brightly and intricately decorated gate. Supported by 14 pillars, the portal is a collage of hundreds of carved and painted figures, flowers, beasts, phoenixes and animals. The carvings depict battle scene…
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Tsingtao Beer Museum
For a self-serving introduction to China's iconic beer, head to the original (still functioning) brewery. It's disappointingly comprised of old photos, brewery equipment (the smell of hops has absolutely permeated the place) and statistics, but there are a few glimpses of the modern factory, including a fascinating section overlooking the bottling and packing line. Thankfully, you can stop and sample some product along the way. Alternatively, skip the tour and head straight for Beer St outside the entrance. Bus 221 runs here from Zhongshan Lu; get off at the stop '15中' (shíwǔ zhōng). A taxi from the old town will cost Y10.
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Navy Museum
Just adjacent to Little Qīngdǎo, this 'museum' is really a rusty submarine and destroyer permanently anchored in the harbour. There are, of course, displays on the Chinese Navy.
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Changyu Wine Culture Museum
The surprising Changyu Wine Culture Museum introduces the history of China's oldest and largest Western-style winery (founded in 1892), which produces a barely palatable 'Chinese Cabernet' and a sweet riesling (tasting, down in any icy cellar, is included in admission price).
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