淄博市

Why this place

Zibo is the old capital of the State of Qi, one of the great powers of the Spring and Autumn period, and its museum holds the Qi bronzes. It recently became famous across China for a very specific kind of local barbecue, eaten at low tables with small grills. It is also a major ceramics and glass centre.

What to see

• The Qi State Museum, with the Linzi chariot pit and the ancient city walls
• The China Ceramics Museum and the Zhoucun old town, a Ming–Qing commercial street
• The barbecue streets — Zibo's own style, with a small stove at the table

What to eat

• Zibo barbecue: skewers cooked over a small griddle at the table, eaten with pancakes and scallions
• Zhoucun sesame-seed cakes and the local vinegar

Best time

April–May and September–October