Address: No.1 Baotu Spring South Road, Lixia District, Jinan City, Shandong Province
Opening Hours: Usually from April 10th to October 9th, 07:00 19:00; from October 10th to April 9th of the following year, 07:00 18:00. The specific time may be adjusted, so it is recommended to confirm before traveling.
Ticket Price: 40 yuan per adult ticket. Students, children, the elderly, etc. can enjoy half-price or free tickets. Tickets can be purchased on the official website or at the ticket window.
Recommended Tour Routes
Route Entering from the East Gate
After entering from the east gate, the first thing that comes into view is Shuyu Spring. Legend has it that Li Qingzhao used to dress up here. The spring water is clear to the bottom, and the spring pool is made of stones and shaped like a mirror. You can experience the cultural atmosphere of the female poet of the Song Dynasty here.
Then come to Mapao Spring. The spring pool is irregularly shaped and surrounded by block stones. Its name comes from a touching legend. You can listen to the tour guide or the scenic spot introduction to understand the story behind it.
Walk along the trail to the main scenic area of Baotu Spring to watch the magnificent landscape of the “No.1 Spring under Heaven”. The three spring eyes gush out all year round, and when the water is abundant, it can reach several feet high. You can take photos here and appreciate the flexibility and vitality of the spring water.
After that, go to Guanlan Pavilion. It was built in the Ming Dynasty and is an excellent position to view Baotu Spring. Here you can lean on the railing and overlook the whole view of Baotu Spring and enjoy the landscape of the spring water boiling.
Finally, exit the park from the south gate.
Route Entering from the South Gate
After entering from the south gate, you will first see Cang Garden. The scenery in the garden is quiet and beautiful, with rare flowers and stones in front of the hall and famous trees planted in the backyard. You can take a break here and enjoy the garden scenery.
Walk westward to Luoyuan Hall. It is a group of relatively large Ming and Qing buildings. There are couplets with Zhao Mengfu’s famous poems “The clouds and mists moisten and steam Huabu Zhu, and the sound of waves shakes Daming Lake” on the columns in front of the hall. You can experience the beauty of ancient culture and architecture.
Then visit the main scenic area of Baotu Spring and savor the unique charm of Baotu Spring carefully.
Then go to Wanzhu Garden. This is a garden with both the characteristics of Jiangnan courtyards and northern courtyards. There are winding corridors around the garden, and the courtyards are layered in. You can stroll in it and enjoy the pavilions, terraces, towers, springs, stones, flowers and trees.
Finally, exit the park from the east gate.
Travel Tips
Best Time to Visit: Spring and autumn are the best seasons, with pleasant climate and more excellent spring water landscapes. Avoid peak hours on holidays and weekends to get a better tour experience.
Guided Service: You can rent a voice guide device at the entrance of the scenic spot, or follow the tour guide team in the scenic spot (departing at regular times) to understand the history, culture and characteristics of each scenic spot of Baotu Spring more deeply.
Surrounding Facilities: There are rest areas, toilets and other infrastructure facilities in the scenic spot, which are relatively convenient. There are many souvenir shops around the scenic spot where you can buy souvenirs related to Baotu Spring or Jinan culture, but remember to bargain appropriately.
Jinan Food Guide
Introduction of Specialties
Jinan Bazi Rou (Braised Pork in Soy Sauce)
Features: Fat but not greasy, with rich flavors. The pork belly is cut into thick slices and stewed in soy sauce. The heat is sufficient, the meat color is red and bright, the entrance is soft and rotten, the lean meat is not firewood, the fat meat is not greasy, and there is a strong sauce aroma.
Recommended Shops: Chaoyixing Fast Food (it has many branches in Jinan). The Bazi Rou in this shop is made with high-quality materials and affordable prices, which is a good place to taste Jinan Bazi Rou. In addition, Laobing Bazi Rou also has a good reputation.
Youxuan (Oil Spiral Cake)
Features: The outer skin is crispy, the inner part is tender, and the scallion flavor is strong. It is spiral-shaped and named because it looks like a spiral and the surface is oily and golden yellow. It is a traditional famous snack in Jinan.
Recommended Shops: Youxuan Zhang (No.320 Quancheng Road, Lixia District). This is an old brand shop. The Youxuan made here has an authentic process and taste, and is deeply loved by locals and tourists.
Tianmo (Sweet Foam)
Features: Tianmo is a kind of salty porridge. It is mainly boiled with millet flour and added with peanuts, vermicelli, cowpeas, five-spice dried tofu, spinach and other ingredients. It has a rich taste and mellow flavor.
Recommended Combination: Usually eaten with Youxuan, it is a classic breakfast combination loved by Jinan people. You can taste authentic Tianmo at street breakfast stalls or some traditional Lu cuisine restaurants.
Jiuzhuan Dachang (Nine-turn Large Intestine)
Features: It has all five flavors of sour, sweet, bitter, spicy and salty. The pig large intestine is first boiled, then fried and then braised. During the braising process, a variety of seasonings are added to make it rich in flavor layers, soft and tender in texture and ruddy in color.
Recommended Shops: Jinan Hotel (No.185 Jing Si Road, Lixia District). The chefs in this hotel are highly skilled in making Jiuzhuan Dachang and can perfectly show the characteristics of this dish.
Recommended Food Streets
Furong Street
Overview: This is an old street full of Jinan characteristics. There are various snack stalls and specialty shops on both sides of the street. In addition to the above-mentioned Jinan specialties, there are also foods from all over the country gathered here, such as stinky tofu, roasted pig’s trotters, octopus balls, etc.
Travel Advice: As there are many tourists and it is relatively crowded, it is recommended to go at off-peak times, stroll and eat, and feel the lively atmosphere, but pay attention to food hygiene and prices.
Kuanhouli
Overview: It is close to Jiefang Pavilion and has a simple architectural style and rich food culture. Here there are not only traditional Jinan cuisine but also many creative restaurants and internet-famous snacks, such as Guozu Stinky Tofu, big squid, etc. At the same time, there are also some folk culture exhibitions and handicraft shops. You can eat and play at the same time.
Travel Advice: You can choose to go in the evening. After tasting the delicious food, you can also enjoy the night view of Jiefang Pavilion.
