The First Spring Under Heaven is located in Jinan City, Shandong Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction with a total area of 3.1 square kilometers. It consists of "one river (the Moat), one lake (Daming Lake), three springs (Baotu Spring, Heihu Spring, Wulongtan), and four parks (Baotu Spring Park, Huancheng Park, Wulongtan Park, Daming Lake Scenic Area)". The scenic area centers on its abundant spring water resources, integrating natural landscapes, historical culture, garden art, and folk customs, and is a concentrated embodiment of Jinan's "Spring City" characteristics. Among them, Baotu Spring is known as "the First Spring in the World", Daming Lake is one of Jinan's three famous scenic spots, and the Moat connects several attractions, forming a unique landscape pattern of "springs, lake, river, and city" integration. The total area of various ancient buildings and garden landscapes is about 800,000 square meters, attracting millions of tourists every year for sightseeing.
History and Culture
The First Spring Under Heaven has a profound historical and cultural heritage, closely linked to Jinan's spring culture and celebrity culture. The records of Baotu Spring can be traced back to "Spring and Autumn". Literati and poets of all dynasties, such as Zeng Gong, Su Shi, Yuan Haowen, and Pu Songling, have left poems here. Among them, Pu Songling's "Ode to Baotu Spring" is widely circulated, making Baotu Spring a representative of cultural famous springs.
Daming Lake is famous for the poem "Lotus flowers on all four sides and willows on three sides, half the city's mountains and half the city's lake". Lixia Pavilion by the lake is one of China's four famous pavilions. Du Fu once feasted with Li Yong here and left the eternal famous line "This pavilion in the east of the sea is ancient, and there are many celebrities in Jinan", forming a unique celebrity culture. In addition, buildings such as Chaoran Tower and Tie Gong Temple in the scenic area are related to Jinan's historical changes and loyal stories respectively. Tie Gong Temple was built to commemorate Tie Xuan, a loyal minister of the Ming Dynasty, carrying the local loyal culture.
Spring water plays an important role in Jinan people's lives. The tradition of citizens fetching and getting close to water is still preserved around Heihu Spring, reflecting the lifestyle of "Spring City" people coexisting with spring water. This folk culture that has lasted for thousands of years is a vivid part of the scenic area's historical culture.
Main Attractions
Baotu Spring
Baotu Spring is the core attraction of the scenic area, known as "the First Spring in the World". The spring pool is rectangular, 30 meters long, 18 meters wide, and 2.2 meters deep. Spring water gushes out from underground rock formations, forming a wonder of "water gushing like a wheel". The maximum water gushing volume of the main spring eye can reach 162,000 cubic meters per day. There are buildings such as Guanlan Pavilion, Li Qingzhao Memorial Hall, and Wanzhu Garden by the spring. The "Baotu Spring" stone tablet in Guanlan Pavilion was written by Hu Zanzong, a calligrapher of the Ming Dynasty. Li Qingzhao Memorial Hall displays the life and works of the female poet of the Song Dynasty. Wanzhu Garden is a classical garden integrating the styles of Jiangnan gardens and northern architecture. The stone carvings and wood carvings in the garden are exquisite, with a total area of about 12,000 square meters.
Daming Lake
Daming Lake is a natural lake formed by the convergence of numerous springs. It covers a surface area of 58 hectares, with an average depth of 2 meters and a maximum depth of 4.5 meters. Scenic spots such as Lixia Pavilion, Huibo Tower, and Chaoran Tower are situated within the lake. Lixia Pavilion, located on the central island, is an octagonal double-eaved building, inside which there are stone carvings of Du Fu and Li Yong. Chaoran Tower was first constructed in the Yuan Dynasty, and the existing structure was rebuilt in 2008. Standing 51.7 meters tall with 7 floors, climbing to the top offers a panoramic view of Daming Lake and the urban landscape of Jinan. Ancient buildings like Tie Gong Temple and Nanfeng Temple by the lakeside, set against the lake and mountain scenery, form the picturesque scene described by the line "half the city's landscape is embraced by the lake".
Heihu Spring
Heihu Spring is located on the east bank of the Moat and is one of the four major spring groups in Jinan. It consists of 14 spring eyes including Heihu Spring, Manao Spring, and Pipa Spring. The maximum water gushing volume of the main Heihu Spring can reach 41,000 cubic meters per day. The spring eye is located in a 3-meter-deep stone cave, with three stone-carved tiger heads on the cave. Spring water sprays out from the tiger's mouth, with a spectacular momentum. There are Heihu Spring pool and viewing platform by the spring. The surrounding area is part of Huancheng Park. Citizens often fetch water and wash here, forming a unique market style, which is an excellent place to experience Jinan's spring water life.
Wulongtan
Wulongtan has the most spring eyes among the four major spring groups in Jinan, with a total of 27 spring eyes. The main Wulongtan is said to be left by Li Erlang, the son of Li Bing, the governor of Shu County in the Qin Dynasty, when he controlled the water. The pool is about 5 meters deep and covers an area of about 0.5 hectares. There is Qin Qiong Temple in the scenic area, commemorating Qin Qiong, a famous general of the Tang Dynasty. The temple displays Qin Qiong's life stories and related cultural relics. There are also famous springs such as Yuquan and Ancient Hot Spring. The surrounding garden layout is exquisite, with green trees and shade, which is a quiet spring landscape garden with a total area of about 54,000 square meters.
Huancheng Park
Huancheng Park is built along the moat of Jinan, with a total length of 6.9 kilometers. It connects scenic spots such as Heihu Spring, Baotu Spring and Wulongtan, and is the only circular belt-shaped park built in the center of a city in China. There are multiple waterfront platforms, sculptures, pavilions and kiosks in the park. Tourists can take a cruise ship (with a voyage of about 1 hour and a ticket price of 100 yuan per person) to tour along the moat, enjoying the spring groups, ancient bridges and dwellings on both banks, and experiencing the artistic conception of "the boat travels in the river, and people sit in the painting". Along the way, they can also see historical buildings such as Jiefangge (Liberation Pavilion). Built to commemorate the liberation of Jinan, Jiefangge is 30 meters high and can be climbed to the top for viewing.
Food
Featured Food in the Scenic Area
Restaurants in Baotu Spring Park and along the shores of Daming Lake mainly serve traditional Jinan-style Shandong cuisine, where "Sweet and Sour Carp" is a must-try dish. Selected from the Yellow River, the carp is deep-fried to a crisp and then drizzled with a tangy-sweet sauce, resulting in a perfect blend of crispy exterior and tender flesh, with a delightful balance of sweet and sour flavors. It is priced at approximately 128 yuan per serving. "Braised Pig Intestines in Nine Turns" is another classic Shandong dish. The pig intestines undergo multiple elaborate cooking processes, yielding a rich, mellow taste with layers of complexity, and it costs around 98 yuan per serving. Additionally, "Tea Brewed with Spring Water" is a distinctive experience in the scenic area. Using spring water from Baotu Spring and Heihu Spring to steep Pingyin rose tea from Jinan, the brew offers a refreshing fragrance and a sweet aftertaste, with each cup priced at about 30 yuan.
Surrounding Food
Furong Street and Kuanhouli around the scenic area are famous food blocks in Jinan, about 500 meters away from Baotu Spring. "Youxuan" in Furong Street is a traditional Jinan snack, with a crispy outer skin, tender inner flesh, sprinkled with sesame seeds, with a price of about 5 yuan each. "Sweet Foam" in Kuanhouli is a characteristic Jinan breakfast, made of millet flour, mixed with vegetables, tofu and other ingredients, with a mellow taste, a bowl of about 6 yuan, and it is better to eat with fried dough sticks. In addition, "Bazi Meat" is a Jinan folk food, using pork belly stewed until tender, fat but not greasy, with a price of about 25 yuan per serving, which can be tasted in surrounding restaurants.
Tickets
Ticket price: 40 yuan per person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "天下第一泉" to get the latest news or buy tickets online.
Opening Hours
Baotu Spring Scenic Area: 7:00-19:00 (April-October), 7:00-18:00 (November-March of the next year); Daming Lake Scenic Area: 5:00-22:00 (April-October), 5:30-21:00 (November-March of the next year) (Chaoran Tower 9:00-21:00); Wulongtan Park: 7:00-18:00 (April-October), 7:30-17:00 (November-March of the next year); Huancheng Park: open 24 hours a day (cruise ships 9:00-17:00); Heihu Spring: open 24 hours a day.
Tour Route
Recommended one-day tour route: Arrive at Baotu Spring Scenic Area at 8:30 a.m., visit the main spring area, Li Qingzhao Memorial Hall, and Wanzhu Garden (about 2 hours); walk to Wulongtan Park at 10:30 a.m., enjoy the spring groups and Qin Qiong Temple (about 1 hour); go to Kuanhouli for lunch at 11:30 a.m., taste Youxuan, Bazi Meat and other foods; take the Huancheng Park cruise ship at 13:30 p.m., depart from Heihu Spring Wharf, visit the Moat, pass by Jiefang Pavilion, Baotu Spring (viewed from the ship), and get off at Daming Lake Wharf (about 1 hour); visit Daming Lake at 15:00 p.m., climb Chaoran Tower, visit Lixia Pavilion and Tie Gong Temple (about 2 hours); enjoy the sunset by Daming Lake at 17:00 p.m., then go to Furong Street to taste snacks, watch the lighting night view of Chaoran Tower at 19:00 p.m. (lighting from 19:00 to 22:00 every night), and end the trip at 20:00 p.m.
Transportation
- Public transportation: Many buses in Jinan can reach the scenic area. Baotu Spring Station can be reached by K1, K5, K41; Daming Lake Station can be reached by K11, K41, K109; Heihu Spring Station can be reached by K3, K10, K39; get off at "Baotu Spring" Station of Metro Line 2, walk about 300 meters to Baotu Spring Scenic Area.
- Self-driving: Starting from Jinan Station, drive east along Jingyi Road, turn into Communist Youth League Road, to Baotu Spring Scenic Area Parking Lot, with a total distance of about 5 kilometers and a driving time of 20 minutes; parking lots around the scenic area charge 5 yuan per hour, with tight parking spaces, so green travel is recommended.
- Taxi/online car-hailing: From Jinan West Station (high-speed railway station) to Baotu Spring Scenic Area, it is about 15 kilometers, with a driving time of 30 minutes and a cost of about 30 yuan; from Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport to the scenic area, it is about 35 kilometers, with a driving time of 45 minutes and a cost of about 80 yuan.
Must-visit Attractions
- Baotu Spring: Known as "the First Spring in the World", with a large water gushing volume from the main spring eye, surrounded by cultural attractions such as Li Qingzhao Memorial Hall, it is the core representative of Jinan's spring culture, with a ticket of 40 yuan per person.
- Daming Lake: With a surface area of 58 hectares, it has attractions such as Lixia Pavilion and Chaoran Tower, open for free. The night view of Chaoran Tower is highly ornamental, with a ticket of 10 yuan per person for climbing the tower.
- Heihu Spring: The spring group consists of 14 spring eyes, with vivid scenes of citizens fetching water, open for free, where you can experience Jinan's spring water life.
- Huancheng Park cruise ship: Tour along the 6.9-kilometer Moat, connecting multiple attractions, with a ticket price of 100 yuan per person, to experience the integrated landscape of "springs, lake, and river".
Tour Suggestions
- The recommended visiting time is 1 day. In summer (July-August), the spring water is abundant, which is the best time to watch Baotu Spring gushing; in autumn (September-October), the weather is cool, suitable for visiting the lake and enjoying the scenery.
- Chaoran Tower's lighting time is from 19:00 to 22:00. It is recommended to arrive at the lake 30 minutes in advance to occupy a position and take pictures of the lighting moment and the lake reflection.
- You can fetch spring water for free at Heihu Spring (bring your own container). It is recommended to go in the early morning when the water quality is the best, and you can also experience the lively scene of citizens fetching water.
- There is a lot of walking in the scenic area, so it is recommended to wear comfortable sports shoes; take sun protection measures in summer, such as bringing sun umbrellas and fans; it is windy by the lake in winter, so keep warm.
- For food, you can go to Furong Street and Kuanhouli, avoid high-priced restaurants in the scenic area, and snacks such as Youxuan and Sweet Foam are cost-effective.
Matters Needing Attention
- Playing in the water and littering are prohibited in scenic areas such as Baotu Spring and Wulongtan. Take good care of spring eyes and ancient buildings and abide by the scenic area regulations.
- You need to wear a life jacket when taking the Huancheng Park cruise ship, follow the staff's instructions, children must be accompanied by adults, and avoid getting close to the ship's side.
- There are many tourists during holidays (such as May Day and National Day). It is recommended to travel during off-peak hours (before 8:00 a.m. or after 16:00 p.m.) or buy tickets online in advance to reduce queuing time.
- The stone steps around Heihu Spring are slippery, especially after rain. Be careful when walking, and follow the order when fetching water to avoid crowding.
- Take good care of your personal belongings. The scenic area is crowded with people, so be alert to pickpocketing. In case of problems, you can contact the scenic area patrol personnel or the tourist center.