Day 3

Early in the morning, we left for Jinan, the capital of Shandong Province. Train ticket from Qingdao to Jinan costs RMB 48 pp. The train was bigger, therefore more spacious compared to KTMB. Shandong people must be taller, coz the luggage rack is very high.
After 3.5 hours, we reached Jinan. The place is dirty, just like Puduraya. To my amazement, the transportation system fares much better than M'sia. It's very systematic. Long-distance express buses lined up orderly at the bus station just opposite the railway station. Unlike Puduraya where you've to hunt ur way to locate ur bus, there were electronic LED boards at each lane, indicating the destination of the buses parked at the lanes. By doing this, u save the hassle of asking around on which bus you've to take, unless you can't read Chinese.

I didn't like the choking feeling of Jinan. Too many people, too many taxis, too many buses, too crowded. China has improved tremendously. No more hordes of bicycle armies on the road. Trying to escape the crowd, we visited the Yellow River Park. Entrance fee = RMB 5. Frankly, there's nothing to "see" there. It was in a shabby state, near to abandonment. Anyhow, it was a good place to have a quiet nap with fresh air.

Spring Water Garden. Entrance fee = RMB 15. Water springs to the surface of earth. The water is cold.

I'm ochlophobic and I'm always uneasy with crowds and traffic jams. (That's why I've been sick for 2.5 months, ever since I was assigned to work in KL town) Didn't feel like exploring the city of Jinan. Fully utilized the hotel room of RMB 180 to watch TV.