"One city, half lake, half mountain, four sides lotus, three willows"—this ancient city, bathed in the gentle springs described by Lao She for millennia, is experiencing an unexpected rebirth! As Emperor Qianlong's imperial calligraphy of "The No. 1 Spring in the World" juxtaposes with the internet-famous traffic light, and as the aroma of soy milk on Qushuiting Street blends with the aroma of craft hops, a timeless aesthetic collision unfolds in the Spring City.
🧭 Ten character cards unlock new storylines in the Spring City
1. Spring Explorer: Dive into 1,209 secret springs
- Baotu Spring: At 4 PM, as the setting sun penetrates three springs of mist, capture the ethereal moment of the "boiling jade pot" at Guanlan Pavilion. Behind the Li Qingzhao Memorial Hall, visitors can admire the Shuyu Spring, where Hanfu and oil-paper umbrellas create a striking image of ancient beauty.
- Black Tiger Spring: Harness the city's "bloodstream" with buckets, and experience the world's only "mineral water channel" on a moat cruise, watching the boat rise and fall with the water like a floating elevator. - Daming Lake: Chaoran Tower lights up at 6:30 PM, its golden tower reflected in the lake. Get your spot 20 minutes early! Rent a two-seater car to navigate the southwest reed marsh, where 80% of the greenway provides shade, ensuring you're protected from the scorching sun.
2. City Walker: Folding Time and Space on Bluestone
- Qushuiting Street: A 600-meter waterway connects Daming Lake and Baihuazhou. Enjoy Jasmine Dragon Ball brewed with spring water from the No. 8 Courtyard at Qifengqiao. 3 yuan freshly ground soy milk with spring water tofu pudding is the true taste of old Jinan. Avoid the internet-famous bamboo tube milk tea; cold brew tea with spring water ice balls is even more refreshing.
- Ronghe Old Commercial Port: The heart-shaped traffic light on Jingsan Road has become a popular check-in spot. Qianmo Bookstore's old projector is paired with No. 18 Tavern's craft IPA for a film. Spicy stir-fried clams for 45 yuan are a perfect pairing with wine.
3. Foodie: A Taste of the Spring City
🔥 Top 5 Shandong Province Landmark Restaurants of 2025:
- Bazi Rou: Wuyue Temple's late-night stall opens at 10:00 PM. Enjoy the tongue-melting fat and rice with the sauce. 15 RMB per person. You'll leave with a wall-climbing meal.
- Youxuan: Intangible cultural heritage golden spirals with sweet foam. A 5 RMB breakfast to kickstart your day.
- Pingyin Rose Flower Cake: A new landmark dessert, featuring a sweet yet non-greasy petal filling. 5 RMB per piece, a great portable souvenir.
- Top Shandong Cuisine: Kuishengju's scallion-fried sea cucumber, bursting with scallion fragrance, Nine-Turn Large Intestine, balanced with all five flavors, and the sweet and sour Yellow River carp "Leaping Over the Dragon Gate"—a must-try.
🚀 Neighborhood Secrets: The Ultimate Guide to Avoiding the Crowds
🌟 A Zen Journey at Lingyan Temple
- Song Dynasty Stunning: 40 painted Arhat sculptures, their clothing lines lifelike, praised by Liang Sicheng as "the finest sculptures in China." Bring your cat before July 31st and enjoy a "one cat, one free admission" promotion. High school and college entrance exam candidates will receive free admission with their admission ticket.
- Vegetarian Experience: Hand-rolled noodles with pickled Chinese toon in the temple. A 15-yuan set meal includes fruit. In late autumn, the thousand-year-old ginkgo trees create a golden carpet.
🌟 A New Landmark for Reverse Tourism
- Simenta Cat Temple: A "cat paradise" in the southern mountains, where dozens of cats lazily stroll. Please keep a distance when feeding.
- 579 Baigongji: An industrial-style cultural and creative park. Qianmo Bookstore features a retro projector and a flower, bird, fish, and insect market. Find vintage finds at the weekend market.
🌟 Summer Exclusive Carnival
- Jiuru Mountain Water Splashing Festival: Water gun battles take place from July to August. Mountain spring water is chilled to 25°C. Spend the night in a starry tent listening to the chirping of insects. - Red Leaf Valley Camping Festival: Free admission from July 16th to August 31st. Enjoy stargazing at tents and rafting. Unlock the fun of the mountains at 50 yuan per person.
📌 2025 Practical Tips
Category Must-See Details
Ticket Discounts ✅ Baotu Spring: 40 yuan per person, free for those aged 60 and over; Lingyan Temple: free for high school and college entrance exam candidates; Red Leaf Valley: free during July and August.
Transportation 🚇 Airport Subway Line 3 goes directly to the city center. Shared bikes in the tourist area are more convenient at 3 yuan per 30 minutes.
Accommodation Recommendations 🏨 For high-end options, choose the InterContinental Quancheng Plaza. For unique accommodations, stay at the Mingshui Ancient City Intangible Cultural Heritage B&B. Zen-themed inns near Lingyan Temple are 200 yuan per person.
Itinerary Overview: Half-Day: Black Tiger Spring Water Collection → Soy Milk Drink at Qushuiting Street → Chaoran Tower Illumination; Two-Day: Day 1: City Springs + Shandong Cuisine Feast, Day 2: Lingyan Temple Zen + Commercial Port Night Photography.
🌟Locals' Secret: Asking "Boss, kimchi" at a restaurant might unlock a hidden side dish! In July, during lotus season, by the moat and Pipa Bridge, elders brew tea with spring water, and children walk barefoot across the bluestone—this is the soul of the slow-paced life in the Spring City.
Ctrip Exclusive: Click 👉[Jinan Top Ten Character Card Reservation] to enjoy a 20% discount on a spring boat tour and free Lingyan Temple audio guide rental!
📍 Popular Hashtags: #SpringWaterExplorer #CityWanderer #LuCaiCeiling #ReverseTourism
As dusk bathes Daming Lake, the gilded eaves of Chaoran Tower kiss the setting sun, and the lights of the moat paint a picture on the water—this isn't a game scene, but the most vibrant image of Jinan in 2025. With this guide, become a true "Spring City gamer" and freely navigate between millennia-old cultural heritage and modern trends! #JinanTravel #JinanFood #JinanTravelStrategy #JinanMust-Check-In #JinanDamingLake