This Summer, Make Jinan Your Number One Destination

With temperatures recently soaring above 30 degrees, it’s clear that summer has very much arrived. With that in mind, where would you rather see yourself this summer? Stuck in your air-conditioned living room or swimming in a natural spring? If the latter sounds more like up your alley, then Jinan could be your perfect destination. Jinan, often called the City of Springs, takes just 1.5 hours from Beijing by train making it the perfect place for a weekend break or a couple of days away.

A City of Springs

Jinan, the capital city of Shandong Province, is renowned for its numerous springs. In total, Jinan has a whopping 733 natural springs within its city limits, so it will come as no surprise that spring water plays a very big role in daily life in Jinan, be it recreational in the form of bathing, tea made from the natural spring water, or even the famous winter swimming festival.

Top Attractions

Baotu Spring 

What better place to get an understanding of the City of Springs than at its most popular spring? Baotu Spring was praised by the Kangxi Emperor as the "best spring under heaven" during the Qing Dynasty. The spring's water gushes out in three prongs and has also been diverted in modern times to be used by Jinan's residents who believe that the sweetness of the water makes it perfect for brewing tea. The park is also home to a number of temples and pavilions, making it a pleasant destination for a leisurely stroll. In the late afternoon, you'll often see the locals hanging out here with their feet in the water.

Another famous spring is the Five Dragon Pool, just outside the old city of Jinan, which is also located within a tranquil park. Alternatively, head to the free Black Tiger Springs, named after the roaring sound the water makes as it splashes into the city moat from its three stone carved tiger heads.

Daming Lake

Once you've got your fill of the springs, head to Daming Lake, best known for its beautiful willows, blossoming lotus', and for being the city's biggest park. You can rent a boat if you feel like paddling around between the lotus flowers or relax at the park's Taoist temple or local official's memorial. 

Qianfo Shan

For bird’s eye views of the city, head over to Thousand Buddha Mountain (Qianfo Shan). Hike to the top in about 30 minutes or if you don't want to climb, there's also a bus to the top as well as a ski lift.

The mountain's name comes from the thousands of stone sculptures engraved into its slopes, dating from 581 to 600 AD. It is home to important Buddhist festivals throughout the year. The eastern side of the mountain is also notable for being under provincial protection as it is home to the Shandong Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetery.

If you've got more time to kill, visit Lingyan Temple, which was founded over 1,600 years ago and is great for a relaxing day of exploring. This scenic spot is made up of bridges, pavilions, halls, ponds, terraces, Buddhas, stone tables, and even caves.

What and Where to Eat

Shandong cuisine, also known as Lu cuisine, is one of the eight big cuisines of China. Jinan is one of the centers of Shandong cuisine, known for its rich ingredients, complex presentation, and strong flavors, as well as its special emphasis on soup and fish.

While you're in Jinan, try sweet and sour carp, known in Chinese as tangcu dahuangyu, a dish of deep-fried fish with sugar and vinegar. 

When to Go

Jinan is great to visit any time between April and November, but if you can, get there sometime in August or September so as to catch the Festival of Springs, which includes many organized activities celebrating Jinan's plethora of springs and their importance to the people's daily lives.

Further Afield

If you've got more time, then there are plenty of other destinations to visit in Shandong: Qufu, the birthplace of Confucius is just 1.5 hours away from Jinan by train, you can explore the home of The Art of War in Binzhou 2.5 hours away, get to Mount Tai in just 17 minutes or travel 2.5 hours to Qingdao to find sea and the sunshine.

For more information and a few surprises, please follow the Visit Jinan 济南 WeChat account by scanning the QR code below.

This post is provided by Visit Jinan 济南
Photos courtesy of Visit Jinan 济南

*This post has been adapted from a blog originally published on the Beijinger in June 2017