Jinan, a city that may not have the fast-paced lifestyle of Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou, but it possesses a strong sense of inclusiveness. Here, “living” and “life” are cleverly integrated, perfectly interpreting the unique charm of this city.
If you’re looking for the most suitable city to visit in early summer during May, Jinan is undoubtedly the best choice. In this city, you can experience a unique tranquility and romance, as well as taste the simple and genuine happiness.
Jinan, Inseparable from Springs
Daming Lake
In the bustling metropolis, Daming Lake is like a dazzling pearl, intertwined with Baotu Spring and Thousand Buddha Mountain, weaving the legend of Jinan’s three famous scenic spots. Countless tourists come here to pursue the romantic love story between Xia Yuhe and Emperor Qianlong.
Entering the park, you’ll be greeted by a world of lotus flowers, with a full pond of lotuses blooming in competition, like a vibrant painting. Various pavilions and towers are dotted among them, with distant mountains, nearby waters, and clear skies intertwining, creating a fairyland on earth.
Boating on the lake offers another view. The scenery on both banks is picturesque, like a beautiful love poem, romantic and intoxicating.
As night falls and the lights around Daming Lake illuminate, a dazzling scene catches the eye. The tall willow trees droop their green hair, surrounding the lakeside, as if in an oxygen bar, making people marvel at the happiness of the people in the Spring City.
Baotu Spring
Among the numerous springs in Jinan, Baotu Spring is undoubtedly the brightest star, ranking first among the seventy-two famous springs. Stepping into Baotu Spring Park feels like going back to student days, with the words of Mr. Lao She echoing in your ears.
Inside the park, water ripples, bridges span, and pavilions are scattered, full of the charm of the Jiangnan water town. Baotu Spring is located at the core of the park, with three large spring eyes continuously gushing, and the spring water is crystal clear. The weeping willows on the shore dance gracefully, adding a touch of charm to the beautiful scenery.
Black Tiger Spring
The water flow of Black Tiger Spring is enormous, reaching 41,000 cubic meters per day, second only to Baotu Spring. Its name comes from the natural cave where a huge rock lies, and the sound of the spring water resembles the roar of a tiger.
Black Tiger Spring consists of two parts: the spring source and the spring pool. On the south wall of the spring pool, three carved stone tiger heads are arranged side by side. The spring water gushes out from a hidden ditch, passing through the three stone tiger mouths, creating a magnificent momentum. In the early morning, it is common to see citizens lining up to collect spring water.
Pearl Spring
Pearl Spring is the third-largest famous spring in Jinan and was once the residence of the Governor of Shandong during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Entering this elegant garden, you’ll find lush pines and cypresses, drooping willows, and well-arranged spring pools and pavilions.
Standing on the Floating Jade Pavilion on the south bank of the pool and looking down, you can see a string of white bubbles emerging from the bottom of the pool, as crystal clear as pearls. The azure and transparent pool water is home to various colorful carp, forming a lively picture.
Five Dragon Pond Park
Five Dragon Pond Park is located outside the west gate of Jinan’s old city and is named after the Five Dragon Pond inside. The spring water here is one of the best among the four major famous spring groups, and the park is rich in scenic spots.
During the transition from spring to summer, the park is in full bloom, with flowers competing for beauty. The flowers blooming by the lake adorn the spring pool with a beautiful wreath, and the fish in the water are also attracted by this beautiful scenery, occasionally leaping out of the water.
Hundred Pulse Spring
In “Records of Two Halls in Qizhou,” the great writer Zeng Gong of the Northern Song Dynasty praised Hundred Pulse Spring: “In the west, Baotu is the leader, and in the east, Hundred Pulse is the crown.” The spring water gushes out from countless invisible pores, like a hundred large veins, hence the name “Hundred Pulse Spring.”
For thousands of years, Hundred Pulse Spring has attracted countless literary figures with its unique charm. It is far from the hustle and bustle of the city, retaining its original tranquility and simplicity, allowing people to better experience the charm of Jinan in poetry and prose.
Jinan, a city that focuses on mountains
Thousand Buddha Mountain
Jinan, a city with a long history, boasts three famous scenic spots: Baotu Spring, Daming Lake, and the towering Thousand Buddha Mountain. It is not only a perfect place for mountain climbing and sightseeing but also a thick historical and cultural scroll.
Although its altitude is just over a hundred meters, with every step you climb, you can feel the depth of history. The Buddha statues on the mountain have weathered the vicissitudes of time, yet remain solemn; the ancient buildings have witnessed the passage of time; the inscriptions on the steles seem to whisper about the millennia of changes in Thousand Buddha Mountain and Jinan.
Here, with a devout heart, we follow the winding mountain path, exploring the depth and breadth of life. Each step of the climb is a spiritual baptism, allowing us to find tranquility and peace amidst our busy lives.
Lingyan Temple
Lingyan Temple, an ancient temple with a history of more than 1,600 years, was first built during the Eastern Jin Dynasty. Since the Tang Dynasty, it has been known as one of the “Four Great Temples in the World,” along with Tiantai Guoqing Temple in Zhejiang, Yuquan Temple in Jiangling, Hubei, and Qixia Temple in Nanjing.
Surrounded by mountains, with secluded cliffs and steep walls, it seems like a pure land bestowed by nature. With ancient ruins and Buddhist chants, it feels like being in a world of Zen, isolated from the outside.
If you long to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and seek a spiritual sanctuary, Lingyan Temple will definitely be your best choice. Here, you can let go of your worries, listen to the Buddhist chants, and feel the tranquility and peace.
Jiuru Mountain
Jinan, a city full of greenery, never lacks places to refresh the lungs. However, Jiuru Mountain stands out among the many green spaces with its unique charm. The air here contains more than 70,000 negative oxygen ions per cubic centimeter, making it the highest in Jinan.
Entering Jiuru Mountain, you will be attracted by the dense forests and clear spring water. Various ancient vines intertwine in the air, forming a green vine net. The spring water gushes out from the mountain stream, hanging on the cliffs, forming magnificent waterfalls.
In recent years, Jiuru Mountain has been developed for leisure, attracting more and more tourists to visit. Here, you can walk alone in the mountains, enjoy the spectacular sight of waterfalls cascading down; or close your eyes and listen to the birdsong and the murmuring sound of the springs. Everything here makes you feel as if you are in a beautiful landscape painting.
Jinan, a city that cherishes old streets
Qushui Ting Street
The charm of Jinan lies not only in the gurgling spring water but also in the winding old streets. Among them, Qushui Ting Street is the cream of the crop, like an ancient water dragon lurking in the depths of time, guiding us through the river of history.
Strolling along this old street built along the river, you can almost hear the echoes of history and drink from the winding water with the ancients. Every step is on bluestone slabs, every glance sees carved windows, and every place is filled with a strong historical atmosphere.
Moreover, Yuhe Alley is a shining pearl in Qushui Ting Street. It witnessed the tragic love story between Emperor Qianlong and Xia Yuhe.
Stepping into Yuhe Alley, it feels like time has turned back to the prosperous Qing Dynasty. Each bluestone slab carries the memory of history, and each carved window tells the touching story of the past.
Houzaimen Street
In the historic city of Jinan, Houzaimen Street attracts countless tourists with its unique charm. This street seems like an ancient city forgotten by time, carrying rich historical and cultural heritage.
The name of this street originated from a passage serving as the north gate of the prince’s mansion during the Ming Dynasty – “Houzaimen Street.” Over time, the name was gradually misread as “Houzaimen Street,” but its ancient atmosphere has not diminished in the slightest.
Today’s Houzaimen Street, although it has lost its former royal style, has an even more intense atmosphere of ancient charm. Between the gray bricks and tiles, traces of time flow; tourists and passersby leave their own stories here.
Jinan, a city that is not Jiangnan but surpasses Jiangnan. It has a unique charm that makes people linger and forget to return. Whether it’s the clarity of Baotu Spring, the ancient path of Daming Lake, or the evening breeze of Jingshi Road, they all make people feel the tranquility and beauty of this city.
In Jinan, you can wander freely in front of the old streets and low houses, savoring the illusory years; you can also look for the mottled time in the high-rise buildings.
This city embraces every choice, allowing everyone to find their own rhythm.
Jinan is such a city full of poetry and stories. It’s not the misty rain of Jiangnan, but it has poems and paintings. It awaits your arrival, allowing you to personally experience its charm and beauty.
