Jinan – City of Springs

Plentiful Springs

Surrounded by mountains on three sides, Jinan is located on a basin-like land with a unique geological structure and rich underground water resources. Not many cities in North China are endowed with such a great number of springs.

Springs not only bring vitality to Jinan, but also integrate into the city’s scenery and history. Time-honored streets and alleys can be compared to bones to Jinan. Springs scattered across the city are akin to its soul – unceasingly nourishing every piece of land.

Since ancient times, Jinan has been famous for its 72 springs. However, the actual number far surpasses this figure. Incomplete statistics show over 300 springs in the old town whose area occupies 2.6 square kilometers. Except the well-known Baotu Spring, the Pearl Spring, and the Black Tiger Spring, most have never been named. Counting those in suburban areas, Jinan possesses a total of 733 springs. They bubble up out of the ground and flow into rivers and lakes. Over the centuries, springs have played an irreplaceable role in people’s life in Jinan while forming a background for numbers of compelling stories.  

What’s more, the springs are of different kinds. Some are gushing while some are cascading gracefully. Some look like arms of lakes and some resemble strings of pearls. Several of them even sound like a tiger’s roar. Numerous poems and pieces of prose eulogizing the springs have been left behind by generations of writers. Diversified folk activities on the theme of springs prevail in the city.   

Fed by springs, the Daming Lake is a natural landmark and is praised as a “pearl of the city of springs.” Spring water flows in from the south bank and flows out from the outlet on the north bank when the lake is full. Water does not seep through igneous rocks at the bottom of the lake, which maintains the lake water at a certain level throughout the entire year regardless of rainy or dry seasons.

There are many exquisite ancient buildings around the lake. Besides, six islets scatter in the lake. It looks picturesque in which boats are drifting on glistening water, birds are flying overhead while fishes are swimming under ripples, and lotus and willows are blooming on the banks. The lake looks more appealing against the background of the Qianfo Mountain nearby.