Jinan City (济南)
capital city of Shandong Province, located in the central of Shandong, north of Mount Tai and south of Yellow River. It is a national historical and cultural city with over 2000 years of history. Jinan is most known as “the City of Spring” with 733 natural springs, of which 72 Famous Springs are the most preventatives. The “World’s Best Spring Scenic Area” is located in downtown and consist of one river (the Moat), one lake (Daming Lake), three springs (Baotu, Black Tiger and Five-Dragon Pond Springs) and four parks (Baotu Park, Huancheng Park, Five-Dragon Pond Park and Daming Lake Park), “an embodiment of the unique landscape of natural water spring and a profound historical and cultural heritage”. The springs are formed thanks to the unique topography: Jinan has high mountain in the south and lower plain in the north, and Jinan City is located on the slant zone between them. In addition the southern mountain is composed of limestone with many interstices, karst gutters, and holes, caves, creating a hidden underground river to store and deliver the waters, while the northern plain is hard rocks that waters can’t flow through, and there are faults in the east and west stopping the outflow…so the water gather in Jinan and became a spring!
capital city of Shandong Province, located in the central of Shandong, north of Mount Tai and south of Yellow River. It is a national historical and cultural city with over 2000 years of history. Jinan is most known as “the City of Spring” with 733 natural springs, of which 72 Famous Springs are the most preventatives. The “World’s Best Spring Scenic Area” is located in downtown and consist of one river (the Moat), one lake (Daming Lake), three springs (Baotu, Black Tiger and Five-Dragon Pond Springs) and four parks (Baotu Park, Huancheng Park, Five-Dragon Pond Park and Daming Lake Park), “an embodiment of the unique landscape of natural water spring and a profound historical and cultural heritage”. The springs are formed thanks to the unique topography: Jinan has high mountain in the south and lower plain in the north, and Jinan City is located on the slant zone between them. In addition the southern mountain is composed of limestone with many interstices, karst gutters, and holes, caves, creating a hidden underground river to store and deliver the waters, while the northern plain is hard rocks that waters can’t flow through, and there are faults in the east and west stopping the outflow…so the water gather in Jinan and became a spring!
Baotu Spring Park
National AAAAA tourist area
a park covering many scenic spots and historical sites, with an area of 10.5 hectares.
Baotu Spring 趵突泉
has a long history of over 3500 years and it is the top of the 72 famous artesian springs and one of the three greatest scenic spots in Jinan. Located in the center of the park, next to Guanlan Pavilion (观澜亭) and faces Luoyuan Hall (泺源堂) to the north and Laihe Bridge (来鹤桥) to the east and is surrounded by stele corridors in the south. Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty said is “the Top Spring in the World”. There are three main water outlets that gush simultaneously with an average spring of 70,000 cubic meters every day and the waters always stay at a temperature of 18°C, the water is surprisingly clear and healthy, which can be drunk directly!
Guanlan Pavilion (观澜亭)
A quadrate pavilion built in 1461 - Ming Dynasty - right behind the Baotu Spring.
Memorial Hall of Li Qingzhao 李清照纪念堂
Li QingZhao was a great Chinese poetess of the Song Dynasty and this location is believed to be her original residence and where Guo Moruo left the most inscriptions in Jinan.
Bamboo Garden & Li Kuchan Memorial Hall 万竹园&李苦禅纪念馆
Also called Zhang Family Garden, was the private garden of Zhang Huaizhi, a Shandong warlord. 12000 square meters, the garden is a large-scale ancient architecture compound constructed with mixed features of Prince Palace of Beijing, courtyard of the South China and Siheyuan (Chinese quadrangles) of Jinan. Inside the garden there is a memorial hall built for honoring Li Kuchan, a local painter and art educator and a pupil of Qi Baishi.
Luoyuan Hall (泺源堂)
the ancestral hall of Ehuang and Nvying, later remolded to be a Taoist temple.
Other Historical Sites
Guanlan Bridge (观澜桥), a 5-meter-long, 3-meter-wide stone bridge, Guanghui Bridge (广汇桥), Turtle Rock (龟石), a 4-meter-high, 8-ton-weigh Taihu Stone with bizarre shape, Laihe Bridge, Snow White Tower erected for the Ming Dynasty litterateur Li Panlong.
National AAAAA tourist area
a park covering many scenic spots and historical sites, with an area of 10.5 hectares.
Baotu Spring 趵突泉
has a long history of over 3500 years and it is the top of the 72 famous artesian springs and one of the three greatest scenic spots in Jinan. Located in the center of the park, next to Guanlan Pavilion (观澜亭) and faces Luoyuan Hall (泺源堂) to the north and Laihe Bridge (来鹤桥) to the east and is surrounded by stele corridors in the south. Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty said is “the Top Spring in the World”. There are three main water outlets that gush simultaneously with an average spring of 70,000 cubic meters every day and the waters always stay at a temperature of 18°C, the water is surprisingly clear and healthy, which can be drunk directly!
Guanlan Pavilion (观澜亭)
A quadrate pavilion built in 1461 - Ming Dynasty - right behind the Baotu Spring.
Memorial Hall of Li Qingzhao 李清照纪念堂
Li QingZhao was a great Chinese poetess of the Song Dynasty and this location is believed to be her original residence and where Guo Moruo left the most inscriptions in Jinan.
Bamboo Garden & Li Kuchan Memorial Hall 万竹园&李苦禅纪念馆
Also called Zhang Family Garden, was the private garden of Zhang Huaizhi, a Shandong warlord. 12000 square meters, the garden is a large-scale ancient architecture compound constructed with mixed features of Prince Palace of Beijing, courtyard of the South China and Siheyuan (Chinese quadrangles) of Jinan. Inside the garden there is a memorial hall built for honoring Li Kuchan, a local painter and art educator and a pupil of Qi Baishi.
Luoyuan Hall (泺源堂)
the ancestral hall of Ehuang and Nvying, later remolded to be a Taoist temple.
Other Historical Sites
Guanlan Bridge (观澜桥), a 5-meter-long, 3-meter-wide stone bridge, Guanghui Bridge (广汇桥), Turtle Rock (龟石), a 4-meter-high, 8-ton-weigh Taihu Stone with bizarre shape, Laihe Bridge, Snow White Tower erected for the Ming Dynasty litterateur Li Panlong.
Black Tiger Spring Group (Heihuquan Spring)
The second top spring among the 72 famous springs in Jinan with the second largest outflow of water after Baotu Spring. The spring waters comes from a natural cave between the rocks, go through three stone-carved tiger mouths, gather in an stone pond and finally converge to the city fosse. The spring got its name of Heihu (Black Tiger) from the winds that emit a terrifying roar as the water blow through the cave. The Black Tiger Spring Group consists of total 14 springs
The second top spring among the 72 famous springs in Jinan with the second largest outflow of water after Baotu Spring. The spring waters comes from a natural cave between the rocks, go through three stone-carved tiger mouths, gather in an stone pond and finally converge to the city fosse. The spring got its name of Heihu (Black Tiger) from the winds that emit a terrifying roar as the water blow through the cave. The Black Tiger Spring Group consists of total 14 springs
Daming Lake Park
National AAAAA tourist area
an area of 103.4 hectares with a 57.7 hectares of lake. Known as the “Pearl of the Spring City”, has a long history (1500 years) with the earliest description in the Northern Wei Dynasty. Fed by many wild springs and with beautiful refection of ancient architectures and modern towers on the clear blue water and broad vision of the blue sky. More than 30 historical places inside the park, such as Lixia Pavilion, Beiji Temple, Huibo Tower, Xin Fiji Memorial, Chaoran Tower, Tie Xuan Memorial, Xia Garden, etc. During past dynasties celebrities have left lyrics and calligraphy in the lakeside.
National AAAAA tourist area
an area of 103.4 hectares with a 57.7 hectares of lake. Known as the “Pearl of the Spring City”, has a long history (1500 years) with the earliest description in the Northern Wei Dynasty. Fed by many wild springs and with beautiful refection of ancient architectures and modern towers on the clear blue water and broad vision of the blue sky. More than 30 historical places inside the park, such as Lixia Pavilion, Beiji Temple, Huibo Tower, Xin Fiji Memorial, Chaoran Tower, Tie Xuan Memorial, Xia Garden, etc. During past dynasties celebrities have left lyrics and calligraphy in the lakeside.
Five Dragon Pond Park (Wulongtan Park)
one of the four most famous spring groups of Jinan, north of Baotu Spring and in the center of Jinan City. There are many famous springs inside the park, including the Five Dragon Spring that is formed by 28 springs and with five tall dragons. It is said that the spring has existed before the Northern Wei Dynasty (4th-6th century AD) with more than 1,500 years of history. 7.6 hectares park built in 1986. The park has lush greens dotted ancient architectures and plenty of golden fish living in the pond. Tanxi Pavillion, Scree Porch, Xianqing Pavilion, Qin Qiong Temple, Wu Zhongqi’s Calligraphy.
one of the four most famous spring groups of Jinan, north of Baotu Spring and in the center of Jinan City. There are many famous springs inside the park, including the Five Dragon Spring that is formed by 28 springs and with five tall dragons. It is said that the spring has existed before the Northern Wei Dynasty (4th-6th century AD) with more than 1,500 years of history. 7.6 hectares park built in 1986. The park has lush greens dotted ancient architectures and plenty of golden fish living in the pond. Tanxi Pavillion, Scree Porch, Xianqing Pavilion, Qin Qiong Temple, Wu Zhongqi’s Calligraphy.
Thousand Buddha Mountain (Qianfoshan)
National AAAA tourist area
located in the south of city area, is the extension of the Mount Tai and one of the must-see of Jinan. With a history that can be traced back to Sui Dynasty when the Buddhism prevailed and thousands of Buddhist statues were engraved. Temples, caves, pavilions, terraces, towers, and Buddhist carvings are on the mountain. Main spots includes a huge sleeping Buddha (weight: 50 tons), Wanfo Caves with Buddhist figurines and large-scale of murals, imitating China’s Four Great Grottoes (Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes, Datong Yungang Grottoes, Luoyang Longmen Grottoes and Tianshui Maijishan Grottoes), Xingguo Temple, Avalokitesvara Garden, etc.
National AAAA tourist area
located in the south of city area, is the extension of the Mount Tai and one of the must-see of Jinan. With a history that can be traced back to Sui Dynasty when the Buddhism prevailed and thousands of Buddhist statues were engraved. Temples, caves, pavilions, terraces, towers, and Buddhist carvings are on the mountain. Main spots includes a huge sleeping Buddha (weight: 50 tons), Wanfo Caves with Buddhist figurines and large-scale of murals, imitating China’s Four Great Grottoes (Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes, Datong Yungang Grottoes, Luoyang Longmen Grottoes and Tianshui Maijishan Grottoes), Xingguo Temple, Avalokitesvara Garden, etc.
Spring City Square
the center and right the heart of Jinan, surrounded by shopping centers, this large square is specially designed to represent spring culture of Jinan. The midpoint is a blue statue of seal-scripted Quan, which refers spring. A Lotus Music Fountain in the east, which displays different looks, colors and musics at different times.
the center and right the heart of Jinan, surrounded by shopping centers, this large square is specially designed to represent spring culture of Jinan. The midpoint is a blue statue of seal-scripted Quan, which refers spring. A Lotus Music Fountain in the east, which displays different looks, colors and musics at different times.
Jinan Old City
Jinan Confucius Temple