Jinan - the city of springs

Jinan is the capital of Shandong province, located in eastern China. The name Jinan literally means ”south of the water” where ”nan” means south and ”ji” is the name of a river that used to flow north of the city. The Ji River disappeared in 1852 when the Yellow River changed direction and took over the Ji River bed.

Jinan is not a well-known tourist destination in China, but the city still has some things to offer visitors. In 2004, the city population was estimated to be around 6 million people.

The city of springs

Jinan is often referred to as the city of springs, because of the 70 artesian springs located in the city area. One of the most famous springs is the Baotu Spring, located in the city center.

The springs' water is discharged from an Ordovician karst aquifer under the city. The terrain surrounding Jinan has got plenty of slopes, and the recharge of the aquifer occurs in the mountainous area, south of the city. It has happened several times since the 1970s that the springs have stopped flowing because too much water has been taken out from the aquifer for human consumption. The water from the springs is, according to locals, pure and sweet and can be used as drinking water.

Baotu Spring (Image: Wikipedia)In some of the most powerful springs, water flow can reach a rate of up to 240,000 cubic meters per day. Local residents say that if you stand on the mountain, close to the holes where the spring water flows out, it sounds like thunder.

Near the Baotu Spring you will find Daming Lake. Daming Lake, the Baotu Spring and the Thousand Buddha Cliff are regarded as Jinan's main attractions. Some other popular attractions include The Lake of Five Dragons (located near the Baotu Spring), the Black Tiger Spring and the Baimai Spring in east Jinan.

Thousand Buddha Cliff

The Buddha Cliff is in fact a large hill that is located 2,5 km southeast of central Jinan. The hill has been a public park since 1959, and it is a popular meeting point for locals as well as a sightseeing spot for tourists. The park includes the Yellow Cliff (Huangshi Ya) and Jueshan Mountain. The Buddha Cliff is especially known for its large number of Buddha images that have been carved into the rocks and cliffs. There are also several Buddha sculptures in the park.

Thousand Buddha Cliff (Image: Wikipedia)The Thousand Buddha Cliff is surrounded by a cemetery that honors those who died during the Xinhai Revolution in 1911. It was during the Xinhai Rrevolution that the Republic of China was established, after the abdication of Emperor Puyi on February 12, 1912.

Shopping

If you get bored with Buddhas and springs, you can always go shopping. Jinan has got two large shopping districts and new ones are in the making. Currently, the number one shopping spot is located near the Spring Square (Quan Cheng Guang Chang). At the square you will find a large musical fountain and a huge underground shopping center.

More than just springs. (Image: Wikipedia)Another shopping spot is found on Spring Street, which is also a fairly interesting place to visit from an aesthetic point of view. When the local government built the street, they wanted to create a modern business district that would still retain traditional Chinese cultural traits. As a result of this, Spring Street is a mix of western skyscrapers and buildings featuring typical Chinese architecture and design.