Zibo Travel Vlog: Exploring Shandong's Hidden City & Chinese Street Food

You've NEVER Heard of This City in China...

Destination:ChinaProvince:ShandongCity:Zibo
You've NEVER Heard of This City in China...
Living in China2025-10-128 min

Join me on this exciting travel vlog as I explore Zibo in Shandong, China and experience the local culture! From tasting delicious chinese food to visiting historical sites, there are so many things to do in China. Come along as we discover China and experience amazing street food.

--- Living in China
October 12, 2025, Autumn in China

Video Chapters

  1. 0:22H Highai Tower
  2. 1:13Jotuan ancient town
  3. 2:35Making Jotuan Xiaoing
  4. 5:08Boran colored glaze district
  5. 6:00Shier workshop visit
  6. 6:24Yang ancient town
  7. 7:45Zerore Ceramic Museum

Explore Zibo, Shandong, a city rich in history and culture. Discover ancient towns, traditional crafts, and delicious food, experiencing China's vibrant heritage.

Travel Guides & Tips in this video

  1. Tip 1The H Highai Tower honors Haidai culture, blending ancient stone and modern steel, offering views of Zibo's porcelain trade history. (0:32)
  2. Tip 2Jotuan ancient town preserves Ming and Qing facades, once a silk capital, where traditional crafts like pottery and silk weaving are still practiced. (1:16)
  3. Tip 3Experience making Jotuan Xiaoing, a local specialty, using traditional methods in the actual kitchens where it's prepared. (2:40)
  4. Tip 4Boran is known as the cradle of China's colored glaze, with a 500-year history of transforming sand and clay into beautiful glass and ceramics. (5:11)
  5. Tip 5Chinese hospitality is exceptional, with locals often gifting small tokens like bracelets or pendants to visitors. (6:17)
  6. Tip 6Yang ancient town offers a slower pace with stone alleyways and timbered roofs, showcasing daily life within historic architecture. (6:28)
  7. Tip 7The Zerore Ceramic and Glass Museum highlights Zibo's thousand-year legacy as a porcelain capital, with artifacts displayed from various dynasties. (7:48)

Embark on a captivating journey to Zibo, Shandong, with Living In China, uncovering a city brimming with history and artistry. From the breathtaking H Highai Tower, a symbol of modern ambition rooted in ancient culture, to the living museum of Jotuan ancient town, where traditions thrive and delicious Xiaoing is crafted, this vlog immerses you in authentic China. Discover Boran, the birthplace of Chinese colored glaze, and witness the enduring legacy of artisans. Finally, step into the timeless charm of Yang ancient town and explore the rich heritage at the Zerore Ceramic and Glass Museum, a testament to Zibo's thousand-year mastery of porcelain and glass.

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You've NEVER Heard of This City in China...

This video takes viewers on an immersive journey through Zibo, Shandong, a city steeped in history and vibrant culture, as explored by traveler Living In China. The exploration begins at the H Highai Tower, lauded as China's most beautiful library. This architectural marvel, built to honor the Haidai culture, offers panoramic views of Zibo, a city historically significant for its porcelain trade. The tower itself is a striking blend of ancient stone and modern steel, symbolizing the city's enduring spirit and forward momentum.

The journey continues to Jotuan, an ancient town that feels like stepping back in time. Its streets are lined with well-preserved Ming and Qing dynasty facades, evoking the era when it was a crucial commercial port on the Xiaoi trade route, earning it the title 'silk capital of the north.' Here, history is not confined to museums but is a living entity, evident in the sounds of workshops, the rhythm of looms, and the enticing aromas from traditional ovens. The town is a hub for intangible heritage, with artisans continuing ancestral crafts in pottery, silk, and copper. Living In China had the unique opportunity to participate in making Jotuan Xiaoing, a local specialty, experiencing firsthand the traditional cooking methods.

Further exploration leads to Boran, a district renowned as the cradle of China's colored glaze. For over five centuries, this area has been transforming sand and clay into exquisite glass and ceramics. The legacy of its past kilns is palpable, with contemporary workshops buzzing with activity and markets showcasing a riot of colors. The traveler received a warm welcome at the Shier workshop, being gifted a glass bracelet and a snake pendant, highlighting the renowned Chinese hospitality.

The final destination is Yang ancient town, a place where time seems to flow at a gentler pace, characterized by stone alleyways and traditional timbered roofs. This town, with its ancient architecture framing daily life, offers a glimpse into living history. The video also features a visit to the Zerore Ceramic and Glass Museum, tracing Zibo's thousand-year history as a cradle of Chinese porcelain, whose wares once traveled the Silk Road. The museum showcases pieces that adorned imperial tables and graced everyday homes, underscoring the city's enduring legacy in ceramic and glass artistry, which continues to supply the world today.

FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)

Q: What is the H Highai Tower known for?
A: It's hailed as the most beautiful library of China and offers stunning views over Zibo, a city historically known for its porcelain trade.
Q: What makes Jotuan ancient town special?
A: It feels like stepping into a living scroll with Ming and Qing facades, and it was once the silk capital of the north. You can still see and taste traditional crafts and food.
Q: What is Jotuan Xiaoing?
A: It's a famous local specialty that is traditionally made by sticking it underneath in an oven. Living In China even got to try making one!
Q: What is Boran famous for?
A: Boran is known as the cradle of China's colored glaze, with over 500 years of history in creating beautiful glass and ceramics.
Q: What was the traveler's experience with Chinese hospitality?
A: The traveler received a glass bracelet and a snake pendant from a workshop owner, highlighting the exceptional kindness and generosity often found.
Q: What is the significance of the Zerore Ceramic and Glass Museum?
A: It showcases Zibo's thousand-year history as a cradle of Chinese porcelain, with artifacts that once graced imperial tables and everyday homes.

Zibo Travel Vlog: Exploring Shandong's Hidden City & Chinese Street Food

You've NEVER Heard of This City in China... Join me on this exciting travel vlog as I explore Zibo in Shandong, China and experience the local culture! From tasting delicious chinese food to visiting historical sites, there are so many things to do in China. Come along as we discover China and...

Zibo Travel Vlog: Ancient Towns, Porcelain, and Shandong Culture

Embark on an unforgettable journey to Zibo, a hidden gem in China's Shandong province! This travel vlog invites you to dive deep into the heart of local culture, savoring authentic Chinese cuisine and exploring fascinating historical landmarks. Prepare to be captivated by the vibrant street food scene and uncover the unique charm of a city often overlooked. Discover the real China, one delicious bite and historical discovery at a time!

Attractions in this video: H Highai Tower, Jotuan Ancient Town, Boran, Yang Ancient Town, Zerore Ceramic And Glass Museum