Jinan

Located in central Shandong, Jinan is the capital and second-largest city, known as the "City of Spring." The city is famous for its karst springs, with over 700 underground springs that enhance its natural beauty, including lotuses, willows, and scenic mountain views. With more than 2,000 years of history, Jinan serves as a hub for both culture and tourism, connecting visitors to nearby destinations like Qingdao, Mount Tai, and Yantai.

Highlights:

• City of Springs: There are 4 spring groups in Jinan: Spouting Spring, Black Tiger Spring, Pearl Spring and Wulongtan. Owing to the city’s “spring protection”, the spouting of these spring groups all year round had been achieved.
• Buddhist Sites: There are many historic Buddhist sites in Jinan, like the Four Gates Pagoda, the ruins of Shentong Temple, the Lingyan Temple in the southern county of Changqing which was one of the four most famous temples of the Tang dynasty, etc.
• Prehistoric Culture: Human’s activities traces were found here about 8, 000 to 9,000 years ago so that ancient culture have been left in Jinan. The relics of prehistoric culture like Beixin culture, Dawenkou culture, Longshan culture, Yueshi culture, etc. scatter in different places of Jinan and give us more evidence to exploit ancient culture and civilization.
• Tourist Attractions in Downtown: Spouting Spring, Qianfo Mountain, Daming Lake, Mingfucheng, Wulongtan, Jinan Liberation Pavilion, Huancheng Park, Quancheng Square, etc.
• Minorities: Jinan is the capital city where fairly many ethnic groups scatter in eastern China. There are 49 minority groups, with a population of 109,299, accounting for 1.84% of the total population in Jinan. The culture of each nationality varies to each other, which brings abundant minority culture to Jinan.

Why Visit Jinan?

Unique Spring Culture

Jinan's iconic karst springs, like Baotu Spring, are central to its charm. Visitors can drink spring water tea, attend the Spring Culture Festival, and enjoy the literary legacy of famous scholars.

Beautiful Landscape

The city's parks, lakes, and mountains create a tranquil atmosphere, with fish swimming and flower blossoms reflecting in the water, giving Jinan a serene, poetic charm.

Literary Heritage

Jinan has inspired scholars and poets for centuries, including Li Bai, Du Fu, Su Shi, and Lao She. Their legacies can be explored through monuments and inscriptions across the city.

Buddhist Heritage

Jinan is home to historic Buddhist sites like Shentong Temple and Lingyan Temple, part of Mount Tai’s UNESCO Heritage, offering spiritual tranquility and ancient pagodas.

Shandong Cuisine

Shandong Cuisine, or Lu Cuisine, is renowned for its rich flavors. Explore local snacks and dishes at Furong Ancient Street and Kuanhouli Street, while learning about the cooking techniques and stories behind the food.