Jinan and the Springs: Shandong's Water City

Built on Springs

Jinan exists because of water: more than a hundred springs rise inside the city, and the largest of them push enough artesian flow to feed lakes, canals and parks. That is unusual anywhere, and it gives the city its character — a green, watery old town where the streets are crossed by channels and the sound of running water is constant. It is also the reason the city has been continuously inhabited for millennia.

The Classic Springs

Baotu Spring is the famous one, a pool where the water rises visibly from below and never stops; the park around it holds several more springs and a good deal of historic inscription. Further out, the Black Tiger Spring group spills into the moat and the canal, and the old town's smaller springs appear in courtyards and lanes. In summer the differences between hot, cold and mineral water are easy to taste — locals collect it for tea.

The Lake and the Old Town

Daming Lake anchors the north of the old town, a large park of islands, pavilions and boat rides; the surrounding streets, canals and bridges are the best place to walk. The city's museum holds a strong collection of Shandong archaeology and art, and the old commercial streets have been restored into a pleasant pedestrian district that mixes shops, teahouses and historic architecture.

Practical Notes

Jinan is a high-speed rail hub — an hour and a half from Beijing, close to Qingdao and on the line to Qufu and Mount Tai — which makes it the natural base for a Shandong itinerary. Spring and autumn are the best seasons; summer is hot but the springs are at their liveliest. One day covers the springs, the lake and the museum; two adds the surrounding hills and a slower walk of the canals.

Frequently Asked Questions