A Comprehensive Travel Guide to Jinan, the City of Springs

Here comes the travel guide to Jinan! This “City of Springs” is famous for “springs in every household and weeping willows in every yard”, combining the boldness of the north and the gracefulness of the south of the Yangtze River. The following will sort out in detail for you from aspects such as transportation, attractions, and routes to help you enjoy Jinan easily!

📍 Introduction and Reasons for Recommendation

The most outstanding feature of Jinan is the combination of spring culture and historical heritage. As one of the seven ancient capitals of China, it has the “Seventy-two Famous Springs”, among which Baotu Spring is known as the “Number One Spring under Heaven”. The spring water is crystal clear and maintains a constant temperature of 18°C throughout the year. Wandering around here is like being in a garden in the south of the Yangtze River. In addition, attractions such as Daming Lake and Black Tiger Spring connect the style of the old city, allowing you to feel the beauty of nature and experience the hustle and bustle of Jinan’s streets.

🚄 Arrival Transportation Modes

• By plane: Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport. It takes about 3 hours to fly directly from Shenzhen. The airport shuttle bus costs 20 yuan per person and goes directly to the urban area (Quancheng Square, Railway Station, etc.).• By high-speed rail: Shenzhen North → Jinan West Railway Station (about 5 hours), then transfer to Metro Line 1 or take a taxi (about 30 minutes) to the city center.• By train: It is preferred to choose Jinan Railway Station, which is closer to Baotu Spring, Daming Lake, etc. (10 minutes by car); Jinan East Railway Station is suitable for attractions in the east (such as Shandong Provincial Museum).

🚶 Urban Transportation Modes

• Walking/Cycling: The attractions are concentrated (for example, it takes 10-15 minutes to walk from Baotu Spring → Black Tiger Spring → Quancheng Square), and shared bicycles can be seen everywhere.• Bus/Metro: You can use the “Jinan Bus Electronic Card” on Alipay for buses. Metro Line 2 covers from Jinan West Railway Station to the old commercial port area.• Taking a taxi: The starting price is 12 yuan. It is recommended to use a ride-hailing app to avoid taking a detour.

🏞️ Must-visit Attractions List (Including Prices and Opening Hours)

1. Baotu Spring

• Ticket: 40 yuan (Make an appointment in advance on the official account of “The Number One Spring Scenic Area”, half price for students)• Opening hours: 5:00-22:00 (It is recommended to go in the early morning when there are fewer people and more beautiful scenery)• Highlights: The three jets of spring water gushing out are spectacular. In winter, the steam is like a fairyland. Inside the park, Shuyu Spring, Jinxian Spring, etc. are also worth exploring.

2. Daming Lake

• Ticket: Free (Separate ticket for Chaoran Tower, 60 yuan)• Opening hours: All day• Highlights: The filming location of Xia Yuhe. There are weeping willows by the lake. You can take a boat to tour the lake (The one-way boat ticket costs 20-50 yuan. It is recommended to choose the route from the South Gate → Chaoran Tower).

3. Black Tiger Spring

• Ticket: Free• Opening hours: All day• Highlights: The spring water gushes out from the three tiger heads and can be drunk directly! Local people often come here to get water. In winter, the water mist is like a white tiger roaring in the valley.

4. Kuanhoul Li

• Ticket: Free• Opening hours: All day (Snack stalls are concentrated after 17:00)• Highlights: The collision of ancient-style architecture and trendy cuisine. It is recommended to try Caoxian Crispy Chicken and Old Jinan Bazirou. It is more spacious and tidy than Furong Street.

5. Quancheng Square

• Ticket: Free• Opening hours: All day• Highlights: A landmark of Jinan, directly facing the Liberation Pavilion. There are flocks of pigeons on the square. There is a fountain show at night (Starts at 20:00 in summer and is suspended in winter).

📌 Tips

• Baotu Spring and Qianfo Mountain need to be reserved one day in advance, and half price for student ID holders.• The special products in the scenic area are highly priced. It is more cost-effective to buy donkey-hide gelatin and green onions in the supermarket.

The cuisine in Jinan is rich and diverse. Bazirou, Sweet and Sour Yellow River Carp, etc. are all good choices. Let’s take a look at these delicacies together 😄~

🥩 Must-try Cuisine Recommendations

• Bazirou: Bazirou is a classic delicacy in Jinan, with a rich taste and fat but not greasy. It is recommended to go to Qiaoxia Bazirou to try this delicious dish.

• Sweet and Sour Yellow River Carp: This dish is crispy at the entrance, sweet and sour, and the fish meat is very tender. It is recommended to go to Lufu Jiuhualou (Daming Lake Store) to taste it.

• Duck-shaped Water Chestnut, with a salted duck egg yolk in the middle. It is recommended to go and taste it.

• Braised Pork Belly: This dish has a large portion, suitable for sharing among multiple people. It is tender and not fat. It is recommended to go to Lufu Jiuhualou (Daming Lake Store) to taste it.

🍛 Must-visit Restaurants Recommendations

Yanfu Private CuisineIt

may not be said to be the ceiling of Shandong cuisine, but at least the portion is sufficient and the price is affordable. It is the representative of stir-fried pork kidneys, and the Salted Duck Egg Lion’s Head is also excellent!

• Recommended dishes: Stir-fried Pork Kidneys, Salted Duck Egg Lion’s Head

• Average consumption per person: About 100 yuan

Jinchunxi

Local people often go there for gatherings, suitable for family dinners. There are no unappetizing dishes. Braised Intestines in Brown Sauce, Spicy Fried Clams, Sweet and Sour Carp, Glutinous Rice Spare Ribs, Old Jinan Crispy Chicken, Finger-licking Flavored Shrimp are all highly recommended. Their dumplings are also good

• Recommended dishes: Braised Intestines in Brown Sauce, Sweet and Sour Carp

• Average consumption per person: About 90 yuan

Meifei Restaurant

A genuine Shandong cuisine restaurant in Jinan that has been open for 25 years. Friends from other places all think it is very delicious.

• Recommended dishes: Osmanthus Braised Pork Belly, Stir-fried Pork Kidneys

• Average consumption per person: About 80 yuan

Fulilai

This restaurant has been in business for more than 30 years, with authentic taste and good dishes.

• Recommended dishes: Cross-bridge Rice Noodles, Soft-fried Shrimps, Double-cooked Tenderloin, Spiced Squid

• Average consumption per person: About 50

Weixiang Restaurant

An old Jinan Shandong cuisine restaurant that has been open for more than ten years, with good taste and high cost performance.

• Recommended dishes: Fried Meat, Fried Mushrooms

• Average consumption per person: About 50 yuan

🎉 Cultural Experiences

• 2024 Song Dynasty Rhyme Culture Festival: This event highlights the theme of “The Glow of Song Dynasty Rhyme in the Present Day”, adheres to the idea of “regional linkage, public interaction, and promotional drive”, and launches a series of diverse Song Dynasty rhyme culture-themed activities that benefit and delight the people.

• Baotu Spring Lantern Festival: Baotu Spring Scenic Area holds a lantern festival during the Spring Festival, which is one of the important activities for Jinan citizens during the Spring Festival.

🛍️ Shopping Guide

• Kuanhoul Li: A commercial pedestrian street in Jinan, located in the core area of Quancheng Road, Lixia District, adjacent to the Liberation Pavilion. It is an internet-famous block that integrates historical heritage and modern commerce.

• Quancheng Square: A landmark of the city. Although it may seem a bit dull, it is still a must-visit place. If there are various activities going on, you can also stop and watch.

• Daming Lake: You can take a boat to tour the lake, and there are weeping willows by the lake.

🏨 Recommended Accommodation Areas

It is recommended to choose to live in the city center area, such as near Quancheng Square and Baotu Spring. The transportation is convenient, and it is close to all major attractions, making it convenient for travel.

📝 Notes

There is a large flow of people in scenic areas such as Baotu Spring and Daming Lake. Pay attention to keeping your personal belongings safe.