Baotu Spring
Baotu Spring is one of Jinan's three major scenic spots, located in Lixia District, south of Thousand Buddha Mountain, east of Quancheng Square, and north of Daming Lake. Covering 158 acres, it is a 5A-level characteristic garden centered on springs and one of the first national key parks.
This spring ranks first among Jinan's seventy-two famous springs and is known as the "Number One Spring under Heaven." It is also the earliest Jinan spring recorded in ancient literature. Baotu Spring is the symbol and landmark of Jinan, together with Thousand Buddha Mountain and Daming Lake, forming Jinan's three major scenic spots.
Baotu Spring water erupts in three streams, gushing day and night, reaching several feet high during peak flow. The name "Baotu" means jumping and gushing, reflecting the characteristic of three caverns erupting and continuously gushing.
Practical Information
- Opening Hours: 07:00 - 19:00
- Ticket Price: 40 RMB/person
- Recommended Visit Duration: 2-3 hours
- Best Viewing Season: After rainy season (July-September)
Black Tiger Spring
Black Tiger Spring is located on the south bank of the South Moat River, south of Jiefang Pavilion in Lixia District, and is one of Jinan's four major spring groups. As early as before the Jin Dynasty, Black Tiger Spring was already famous by its current name. The spring water emerges from deep concave caves, gushing into a square spring pool through three stone-carved tiger heads, then flowing into the moat, forming a waterfall with roaring sounds like a tiger's roar.
Black Tiger Spring is one of the water collection points for Jinan citizens. Many citizens come here with buckets to collect water, reflecting the close connection between the springs and the daily life of Jinan residents.
The spring water output is second only to Baotu Spring, ranking second among Jinan's springs. Water sprays from the cave through hidden channels from the mouths of three stone-carved tiger heads, with turbulent waves and roaring sounds.
Practical Information
- Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
- Ticket Price: Free
- Recommended Visit Duration: 1 hour
- Special Activities: Watching citizens collect water, tasting spring water
Pearl Spring
Pearl Spring is Jinan's third most famous spring, located in the center of old Jinan City, north of Pearl Spring Auditorium on Quancheng Road. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, it was the site of the Shandong Governor's Office, with the plaque inscribed by Emperor Qianlong himself.
Pearl Spring pool is 42 meters long and 29 meters wide, surrounded by snowstone railings, with willow trees gently hanging on the banks. The spring water is clear as jade, with strings of white bubbles rising from the bottom of the pool, like thousands of scattered pearls, charming and fascinating.
The Pearl Spring area is an elegant garden with verdant pines and cypresses, low-hanging willows, and well-arranged spring pools and pavilions. To the west of the Luoguo Bridge in the garden, there is a Song Dynasty begonia tree five or six meters high, with a history of nearly a thousand years, said to have been planted by Zeng Gong, the prefect of Jinan.
Practical Information
- Opening Hours: 08:00 - 17:00
- Ticket Price: Free
- Recommended Visit Duration: 1 hour
- Nearby Attractions: Furong Street, Quancheng Road