East China's Shandong Province boasts a long and rich history marked by numerous archaeological and historical sites. It offers evidence of China's human history, cultural history and ancient civilization. The Yiyuan ape-man site, dating back over 600,000 years, fills a gap in the geographical distribution of early humans in China, while an ivory shovel unearthed at a Paleolithic site of the Bashan Reservoir provides evidence for theories of the origin of East Asians. 

With 812 museums across the province, Shandong invites visitors to explore its cultural treasures. From Confucius and Mencius to Zhuge Liang, Shandong's history is filled with great thinkers whose wisdom still resonates today. 

(All photos via VCG)