Going out: 1.5 hours by train from Beijing to Jinan to enjoy the hot springs
Still haven’t decided on a summer destination? Don’t have enough remaining annual leave to travel far? Thankfully, China has a lot to discover within the country, even the lesser known places. The spring city of Jinan falls into this category. Only an hour and a half away from Beijing by car, or an hour by plane, Jinan’s distance from Beijing makes it ideal for a (long) weekend getaway.
Quancheng
Jinan, the capital of Shandong Province, is famous for its many springs. There are 733 natural springs in Jinan City. Therefore, it is no surprise that spring water plays a very important role in daily life in Jinan, whether it is bathing for entertainment, making tea with natural spring water, or the famous Winter Swimming Festival.
History of Jinan
Jinan has 2,000 years of historical records and is the birthplace of China’s prehistoric culture at the Longshan site. This period of time is considered significant to the development of China and Chinese civilization, as it continued to improve agricultural techniques and livestock-raising methods during the cultivation of millet.
what to watch
To get to know Springs better, where better to start than with the most popular springs? Baotu Spring (Ticket 40 yuan) It was awarded this title because Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty praised it as the “No. 1 Spring in the World”. The water of the spring gushes out in three forks, and it was also diverted for Jinan people to drink in modern times. They believed that the spring water was sweet and suitable for making tea. There are also many temples and pavilions in the park, which is a good place for a leisurely stroll. In the early evening, you’ll often see locals hanging out here with their feet in the water.
Another famous spring is Wulongtan (Ticket 5 yuan), located outside the old city of Jinan, is also located in a quiet park.Otherwise, head to the free black tiger spring, It gets its name from the roar of water splashing from three stone-carved tiger heads into the city’s moat.
After filling the spring, go to many lakes (CNY 30 for admission), known for its beautiful willows, blooming lotuses and reputation as the city’s largest park. You can rent a boat if you want to paddle among the lotus flowers (rent 200 yuan), or relax at the Taoist temple in the park or the memorial hall of a local official.
Finally, head to Qianfo Mountain (Thousand Buddha Mountain, 30 RMB). Climb to the top in about 30 minutes and enjoy great views of the city, especially on a clear day. If you don’t want to climb the mountain, there is also a bus to the top and a ski lift.
The mountain takes its name from thousands of stone carvings carved into the mountain between 581 and 600 AD and is the site of important Buddhist festivals throughout the year. The Shandong side, where the Shandong Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetery is located, is also known for its provincial protection.
If you have more time to kill, visit Lingyan Temple, which was founded more than 1,600 years ago, is perfect for a day of relaxing exploration. The scenic spot is composed of small bridges, pavilions, halls, pools, platforms, Buddhas, stone tables and grottoes.
what and where to eat
Jinan cuisine, referred to as Shandong cuisine, is one of the eight major cuisines in China. Known for its rich ingredients, exquisite appearance and strong flavor, it pays special attention to soup and fish.
When you’re in Jinan, try the sweet and sour carp, known in China as tangcu dahuangyu, a sweet and sour fried fish. Below are two recommended restaurants that specialize in local cuisine.
Jufengde Restaurant
11 Jingwu Lu, Jinan (0531 8616 2888)
Jufengde: No. 11, Jingwu Road, Jinan City
Cui Yiqing Restaurant
13 Xiandong Xiang Beishou, Jinan (0531 8608 5427)
Cui Yiqing: No. 13, North Head, County East Lane, Jinan City
when are we leaving
Jinan is best visited between April and November, but if you can, get there sometime in August or September to catch the spring festivals, which include many organized events to celebrate Jinan’s plethora Spring and its importance in people’s daily life.
explore further
If you have more time, there are other destinations to visit: Qufu, the birthplace of Confucius, 1.5 hours by train, Binzhou Tour, 2.5 hours by train, to explore art of waronly a 17-minute drive from Mount Tai, and a 2.5-hour drive from Qingdao, where you can find the sea and the sun.
This post is paid for by Jinan Tourism Development Committee
Photo courtesy of Jinan