Laiwu

Laiwu is a prefecture-level city in central Shandong Province, China. The smallest prefecture-level city in the province, it borders the provincial capital of Jinan to the north, Zibo to the east and Tai'an to the southwest. Its downtown is about 112 kilometers south of Jinan, the capital city of the province. During the Spring and Autumn Period (770BC-476BC), this area was ruled by the Lu and Qi kingdoms. In the Han Dynasties (206BC-240AD), Yingxian, Muxian and Laiwu counties coexisted there, and the name of Laiwu was derived from the Laiwu Valley in the county. Laiwu County was later abolished, but then restored again in the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Since then, the administration of Laiwu County has been dispensed from present Laiwu City. Laiwu is surrounded by mountains in the north, east and south, with the terrain being gentler in the south and steeper in the north. The central area of the city is made up of gently undulating plains. Relatively, its western region is occupied by vast open land.

Qilu Great Canyon Scenic Area covers an area of 27 square kilometers and rewards visitors with a spectacular valley landscape. Jiulong Canyon, Jiutian Canyon and Jiumen Canyon, together with nearby forests and brooks constitute the largest valley grouping in Shandong, and even in the whole East China. Other Scenic Spots Fanggan Ecological Scenic Zone, Xueye Lake.