Recently, the “Heavenly First Spring” scenic area, which includes the Baotu Spring and Daming Lake, has undergone a comprehensive upgrade and renovation. The “One Lake, One Ring” green belt connectivity project has been completed, seamlessly merging the ancient city of Jinan with Daming Lake, allowing us to explore the springs, lakes, city, and people of Shandong’s Jinan.
“The Luoshui River has no equal, springing forth from the earth like a white jade pot.” Baotu Spring in Jinan, known for its three openings that erupt simultaneously, is famous for its thunderous sounds and boiling waters.
Historical records of Baotu Spring date back over 3,500 years to the oracle bones of the Shang Dynasty. The Northern Wei scholar Li Daoyuan noted in his work “Shuijing Zhu”: “Luoshui emerges to the southwest of the ancient city of Lixian.”
Zhang Li, a representative from the Jinan Cultural Tourism Group, explained, “The character ‘趵’ means to leap, while ‘突’ is an onomatopoeic word. The spring’s waters can rise up to half a meter high during its peak flow.”
Cultural scholar Zhang Jiping noted, “The topography of Jinan is higher in the south and lower in the north. The southern mountainous regions consist of limestone that seeps water, while the northern volcanic rocks do not. When the spring water gathers in this low-lying area, it gushes forth. One remarkable feature of Jinan’s springs is their continuous flow, symbolizing life.”
As the paths interweave and the distant Queshan and Huashan mountains stand in contrast, today echoes the ancient phrase “the waves crash against Daming Lake,” signifying the enduring bond with Baotu Spring through the ages.
Zhang Li shared insights about the Double Imperial Tablet, where the characters from Emperors Kangxi and Qianlong are inscribed together. He referenced a poem by Qianlong: “I wish to awaken the sleeping dragon; tonight, I shall sprinkle water of merit.” During droughts, the emperor even prayed for rain at Baotu Spring, illustrating its historic significance and occasional periods of dormancy.
At Jinxi Spring, two streams embrace, creating ripples that shimmer under the sun like a golden thread, embodying the spirit of “clouds competing with beautiful algae.”
Bai Shi Spring bubbles with sparkling water amidst playful fish and flourishing aquatic plants, offering a delightful experience. The Crescent Spring, the tallest among Jinan’s 72 famous springs, causes all the springs to flow when it erupts, creating a magnificent display of nature.
With 72 renowned springs and over 1,200 water sources, Jinan is indeed unique. The abundant springs and lush willows contribute to a vibrant lifestyle in this northern city.
Professor Yu Ruihuan from Jinan University noted, “Jinan residents have built their homes around the springs. If there’s no spring in one’s house, there will likely be a creek nearby that connects to it. This is one of the unique features of Jinan’s springs—the clear water flows over stones. Su Zhe once wrote, ‘As dusk falls, cattle and sheep drink by the roadside,’ indicating that water is omnipresent.”
At Heihu Spring’s drinking point, locals and tourists fill bottles of various sizes with the refreshing water, which maintains a constant temperature of around 18°C—cool and sweet.
The convergence of numerous springs contributes to Daming Lake’s remarkable charm, where tales emerge of “no snakes visible, frogs silent, constant rain without rising water, and prolonged drought without drying out.” Due to the abundance of water birds and low water temperatures, Daming Lake lacks snakes and frog croaks. Rain doesn’t raise the water level, and during droughts, the lake remains full.
Following its reconstruction, Daming Lake now spans 103.4 hectares, with a water surface area of 57.7 hectares and an average depth of 2-3 meters. The springs flow vigorously, and the entire lake is replenished every ten days.
With lotus flowers on all sides and willows surrounding the town, the blend of mountains and waters creates a unique cultural landscape in this northern city where springs, lakes, people, and mountains coexist harmoniously.
