At the foot of the Thousand Buddha Hill (Qian Fo Shan), Shandong Provincial Museum covers the nature and history of the ancient Qi and Lu States.

Featured among the 140,000 pieces of historic relics are treasures from the Dawenkou and Longshan Cultures. Included from the Han Dynasty are oracles, seals, and bamboo slips for writing, stone sculptures, calligraphy and paintings, and precious books. From intricate bronze wares, tourists can learn the customs of various dynasties, such as the worship of Shang Dynasty gods, ancestor worship in the Zhou Dynasty, and Han Dynasty human relationships.

The Qi and Lu Treasures showcase 212 pieces of cultural relics, including pottery, porcelain, jade, craftworks and bronze ware. Egg shell black pottery is the masterpiece of the Longshan Culture over 4,000 years ago. The shining black pottery is exquisite and thin as an egg shell.

The Stone Sculpture Art Exhibition, which includes stone sculptures, steles, and tombstones, occupies a vital place in the museum. The decorative stone sculptures of the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-220 A.D.) integrate painting and sculpture. The style first appeared at the end of the West Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-24 A.D.) and vanished at the end of the East Han Dynasty (25-220 A.D.). This art is closely related to the lavish burial customs in well-developed areas during the Han Dynasty.

In the natural collections, specimens cover 200 species. Among them, fossils of trilobite, the Taishan swallow, the dinosaur, and so on, influence knowledge in ancient biologic and geographic fields.

A visit to the museum is like a dialogue with history, revealing the wonders of Qi-Lu Culture.

Note on Qi and Lu Culture:
Shandong Province is called the State of Qi and Lu, both ancient states. Qi State with its capital in today's Linzi, Shandong, was founded in 1122 B.C. and was one of the most prosperous states at that time until 211 B.C. when it was conquered by Emperor Qinshihuang.

Lu State was set up during the Western Zhou Dynasty (1100-771 B.C.), and was conquered by Chu during the Warring States (475-221 B.C.), playing a vital role in politics and culture. It was due to the Lu State that Shandong was named Lu for short.