Attractions · Jinan

Baotu Spring is the first of Jinan's seventy-two famous springs and is known as the finest spring under heaven. The pool is rectangular, and three clear jets gush day and night, throwing spray in a spectacular display. Baotu Spring Park also holds other famous springs such as Shuyu Spring and Mapao Spring, as well as the Li Qingzhao Memorial and Wanzhu Garden. In his essay 'Baotu Spring', Lao She wrote: 'In the middle of the pool there are three large springs, rolling day and night without rest.' First of Jinan's seventy-two famous springs, with three clear jets gushing day and night, 'Baotu leaping skyward' is one of the eight old views of Jinan; pavilions and terraces dot the garden, and it is the most delightful spring in Lao She's writing. Highlights include the three springs and Guanlan Pavilion. Tip: the water is clearest in the early morning, so go before noon. Practical info: located at 1 Baotu Spring South Road, Lixia District, Jinan, Shandong; ticket ¥40 (peak season); opening hours 07:00–19:00. Best season: spring (Apr–May) when the springs gush, and autumn (Sep–Oct) with clear, crisp skies, are the most pleasant times to visit. Combine with Daming Lake, Qianfo Mountain and Lingyan Temple in Jinan for a half-day or full-day itinerary.

Tip: The water is clearest in the early morning, so go before noon.

• Address: 1 Baotu Spring South Road, Lixia District, Jinan, Shandong
• Ticket: ¥40 (peak season)
• Opening: 07:00–19:00

Daming Lake is one of Jinan's three great sights, formed where many of the city's springs converge, and is famed for 'lotus on four sides, willows on three; a city of hills, half a city of lake'. Blue water ripples, weeping willows line the banks, and lotus blooms in summer make a glorious sight. Chaoran Tower is the lake's landmark, its night illuminations dazzling — a newly popular spot in Jinan. Highlights include Lixia Pavilion, Tie Gong Shrine and the lotus pond. A natural lake fed by many springs, with 'lotus on four sides, willows on three' and the brilliantly lit Chaoran Tower at night, it is the core symbol of Jinan's City of Springs scenery. Tip: most beautiful in summer when the lotus blooms. Practical info: located at 271 Daming Lake Road, Lixia District, Jinan, Shandong; free entry (some sights charge); opening hours 06:30–22:00. Best season: spring (Apr–May) when the springs gush, and autumn (Sep–Oct) with clear, crisp skies, are the most pleasant times to visit. Combine with Baotu Spring, Qianfo Mountain and Lingyan Temple in Jinan for a half-day or full-day itinerary.

Tip: Most beautiful in summer when the lotus blooms.

• Address: 271 Daming Lake Road, Lixia District, Jinan, Shandong
• Ticket: Free (some sights charge)
• Opening: 06:30–22:00

Qianfo Mountain is one of Jinan's three great sights. At 285 metres, it takes its name from its many Buddhist stone carvings. Hundreds of Sui dynasty stone Buddhas are cut into the cliffs, and Xingguo Temple, first built in the Sui and Tang dynasties, still draws worshippers today. From the summit you can look over all of Jinan, with the Yellow River like a ribbon to the north and the City of Springs spread out below. Ancient trees tower on the slopes, making it a fine place for hiking and for Buddhist prayer. One of Jinan's three great sights, with Sui dynasty cliff carvings of Buddhas cut into the rock; from the summit you can look over the whole City of Springs, while incense burns steadily at Xingguo Temple. Highlights include the Sui dynasty stone carvings, Lishan Courtyard and the summit viewing platform. Tip: it is best to climb from the south gate, passing the stone carvings along the way. Practical info: located at 18 Jingshi Road No. 1, Lixia District, Jinan, Shandong; ticket ¥30; opening hours 06:30–18:00. Best season: spring (Apr–May) when the springs gush, and autumn (Sep–Oct) with clear, crisp skies, are the most pleasant times to visit. Combine with Baotu Spring, Daming Lake and Lingyan Temple in Jinan for a half-day or full-day itinerary.

Tip: It is best to climb from the south gate, passing the stone carvings along the way.

• Address: 18 Jingshi Road No. 1, Lixia District, Jinan, Shandong
• Ticket: ¥30
• Opening: 06:30–18:00

Shandong Museum stands on Jingshi Road in Jinan; its new building opened in 2010, with a floor area of 83,000 square metres and more than 210,000 artefacts. Permanent exhibitions include 'Haidai Renewal — Shandong History and Culture', 'Buddhist Sculpture Art', 'Han Pictorial Stone Art' and 'The Ming Prince of Lu', with the eggshell black pottery cup, the red pottery animal-shaped pot, Shang dynasty oracle bones, Han pictorial stones and the Buddhist sculptures of Qingzhou Longxing Temple among the representative pieces. The provincial comprehensive museum on Jingshi Road in Jinan, whose treasures include the eggshell black pottery cup, the red pottery animal-shaped pot, oracle bones and Han pictorial stones, has an especially fine Buddhist sculpture gallery. Free with reservation, it pairs well with Qianfo Mountain and the Shandong Art Museum for half a day. Tip: enter after reserving, see 'Haidai Renewal' first and then the Buddhist sculptures; it is on the same line as Qianfo Mountain and the Shandong Art Museum — allow at least 2–3 hours. Practical info: located at 11899 Jingshi Road, Lixia District, Jinan; free entry (reservation required); opening hours 09:00–17:00 (closed Mondays, last entry 16:00).

Tip: Enter after reserving, see 'Haidai Renewal' first and then the Buddhist sculptures; it is on the same line as…

• Address: 11899 Jingshi Road, Lixia District, Jinan
• Ticket: Free (reservation required)
• Opening: 09:00–17:00 (closed Mondays, last entry 16:00)

Lingyan Temple was first built in the Eastern Jin dynasty and has a history of more than 1,600 years, making it one of China's oldest Buddhist temples. Its forty Song dynasty painted arhats are praised as the finest sculpture in the land, lifelike and vivid. The Pizhi Pagoda, built in the Northern Song dynasty, is the temple's landmark, tall and graceful. Ancient trees tower around the temple and the setting is serene — a treasure of Buddhist art. A thousand-year-old temple in Changqing, known for its Song dynasty painted arhats and the Pizhi Pagoda; the arhats are praised as 'the finest sculpture in the land' and are a treasure of Buddhist art. Highlights include the Song dynasty arhats in the Thousand Buddha Hall, the tomb pagoda forest and Langgong Rock. Tip: a guide can explain the stories of the arhat statues. Practical info: located at Wande Subdistrict, Changqing District, Jinan, Shandong; ticket ¥60; opening hours 08:00–17:00. Best season: spring (Apr–May) when the springs gush, and autumn (Sep–Oct) with clear, crisp skies, are the most pleasant times to visit. Combine with Baotu Spring, Daming Lake and Qianfo Mountain in Jinan for a half-day or full-day itinerary.

Tip: A guide can explain the stories of the arhat statues.

• Address: Wande Subdistrict, Changqing District, Jinan, Shandong
• Ticket: ¥60
• Opening: 08:00–17:00