The Shandong Provincial Museum houses one of the strongest archaeological collections in eastern China, tracing the region's history from Paleolithic times through the Han Dynasty and beyond. The star exhibits are the Longshan "black eggshell pottery" — some of the thinnest ceramics ever made — and the Han Dynasty tombs excavated from various Shandong sites, with their jade burial suits, bronze vessels, and painted lacquerware.
There is also a strong collection of pre-Qin bronzes from the state of Qi and a natural history wing covering Shandong's geology and wildlife. The building is large and modern, on the eastern side of the city near the university district; plan two to three hours for a thorough visit. The museum is free to enter; advance booking is required on busy weekends.