Things to do in Pingyin

The foremost of the Five Sacred Mountains is definitely worth a visit! It's worth mentioning that water is only a bit more expensive near the summit; 4 bottles for 10 yuan is very cheap along the way. The cable car down the mountain costs 100 yuan one way, which isn't cheap, but it's worth it for the sake of your knees and the different scenery.

The Dong'e Traditional Chinese Medicine Culture Tourism Area mainly revolves around donkey-hide gelatin (Ejiao). The Dong'e Ejiao City is an antique-style architectural complex where visitors can observe the Ejiao production process; the integration of industrial tourism and traditional culture is quite natural. The China Ejiao Museum houses historical artifacts, offering insights into the evolution of Ejiao, while the Tribute Ejiao Hall showcases traditional production techniques and offers interactive experiences. The area isn't too crowded, making it easy to explore. Overall, it's worth taking your time and is suitable for those interested in traditional Chinese medicine.

"The water in the pond does not increase or decrease with drought or flood, nor does it change temperature with winter or summer." The spring water rises steadily, and a coin thrown on the water surface can float for a long time. When exposed to the sun, it shines with golden light. The scene of "Hongfan floating gold" has become a famous historical landscape.

The last time I visited Baotu Spring was 20 years ago. After so long, a friend finally gave me the opportunity to come again. The scenery was still beautiful even on a sunny day. The park wasn't too crowded during the last part of the National Day holiday, and it was easy to walk around in front of Baotu Spring.

My dears, I went to Cuiping Mountain in Jinan! This mountain is really great, the air is so fresh as if it has been washed. Climbing all the way up, you can see many ancient monuments, and feel the full sense of history. The view at the top of the mountain is super wide, and you can see far away. There are few food and drinks on the mountain, so you have to bring enough by yourself, but overall it is worth it!

Daming Lake holds the story of Emperor Qianlong and Xia Yuhe's "epic, tragic love" 😂 "Your Majesty, do you still remember Xia Yuhe by Daming Lake?"—When Emperor Qianlong toured the south, he encountered Xia Yuhe playing the zither in the Yuhe Hall, fell in love at first sight, wrote a poem and presented her with a fan, vowing that "a true friend is hard to find." However, after more than a decade apart, Yuhe fell ill with longing and died with her zither in her arms 😢 However, there is no historical record of this person; it's purely a romantic fiction by Qiong Yao. The lake shimmers, lotus flowers fill the pond, and the saying "lotuses on all four sides, willows on three" is truly fitting. The illuminated Chaoran Tower is even more breathtaking.

Pavilions stand by the water, green trees surround the streets, and houses stretch endlessly. Without excessive hustle and bustle, it is a vivid scene of bustling city life unfolding from the scroll of "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" right before our eyes, with the gentle smoke of cooking fires and the charm of ancient times.

This was my first time visiting Baotu Spring. I went in the afternoon to avoid the crowds, so the experience wasn't too bad. The three springs were bubbling away, and the water was crystal clear. No wonder it's called the City of Springs! 👍

The area is serene and verdant, offering a tranquil and refreshing escape. The boardwalks and bamboo groves add a touch of wild charm. It's perfect for a weekend getaway, avoiding the annoyance of crowds and the overwhelming presence of trendy advertising signs. It has the ambiance of a 2000s-era scenic area seamlessly integrated with nature, with its stone paths and wooden bridges. However, there are virtually no recreational facilities. Aside from a few swings and plum blossom stakes—things I loved playing on as a child—the mini-train and boats are closed due to the lack of visitors. The commercial street on the other side is also likely closed, leaving only a few rows of white-walled, black-tiled Hui-style buildings standing silently. The only two businesses operating in the entire area are a restaurant (with mediocre food) and a small shop at the entrance. On a side note, this area seems more suitable for guesthouses than trendy streets; it's a shame those rows of empty houses are so empty. Our family arrived at 10 am and left around 3 pm, spending about four hours there, excluding meals. In short, it's worth a short visit within an hour of parking, but not worth making a special trip for.

It was really fun! Even though it was outside the National Day holiday, it was still quite crowded. The NPC interactions were great. The iron flower display is a must-see. The music and parade at night were especially exciting. It's a place I would definitely fly back to.