Baotu Spring
The best-known of Jinan's 'Spring City' springs, where three springs bubble up in a landscaped park that also holds the Li Qingzhao Memorial Hall.
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About Jinan
Jinan sits at about 36.65 degrees north, 117.0 degrees east, between Mount Tai to the south and the Yellow River to the north. The old city holds the spring belt: Baotu Spring, Black Tiger Spring, Five Dragon Pool and Pearl Spring, joined by canals and Daming Lake. Thousand Buddha Mountain rises just to the south, and the Shandong Museum lies east on Jingshi Road. Lingyan Temple in Changqing is a half-day trip. High-speed rail links Jinan to Beijing in about 1.5 hours and to Qingdao in about 1.5-2 hours. Food centres on Lu cuisine, with oil-rolled cakes and sweet-and-sour carp.
- Capital
- Jinan (Shandong provincial capital)
- Largest city
- Jinan
- Population
- About 9.2 million across the municipality (2020 census)
- Languages
- Mandarin Chinese, Jinan dialect (a local Shandong Mandarin variety)
- Currency
- Chinese Yuan
- Time zone
- UTC+8 (China Standard Time)
Explore Jinan by topic
Jump straight to the experience you're planning.
Best places to visit in Jinan
The 12 destinations our editors recommend — from iconic landmarks to under-the-radar finds.
Daming Lake
A spring-fed lake on the north side of the old city, with willow-lined shores, pavilions, and the Xin Qiji memorial; entry to the park is free.
Thousand Buddha Mountain
A hill park on the south edge of the old city with Sui-dynasty Buddhist rock carvings dating from 585, Xingguo Temple and views over Jinan.
Shandong Museum
The provincial museum of Shandong, with large collections of bronzes, Buddhist statuary, Han-dynasty stone reliefs and dinosaur fossils.
Black Tiger Spring
A group of springs whose water pours from three carved stone tiger heads into the old-city moat, popular with locals who fill bottles and swim in summer.
Five Dragon Pool
A spring park just north of Baotu Spring with a pool ringed by willows and stone bridges.
Recommended itineraries
Pick a length, follow the route. Each itinerary balances headline sights with breathing room.
5-Day Jinan Explorer
- Day 1Arrive in Jinan, explore city center
- Day 2Visit top attractions and museums
- Day 3Day trip to nearby highlights
- Day 4Local markets and hidden gems
- Day 5Final sightseeing, departure
7-Day Classic Jinan
- Days 1-2Jinan city highlights
- Days 3-4Regional exploration
- Days 5-6Cultural immersion and local experiences
- Day 7Return and departure
14-Day Ultimate Jinan
- Days 1-3Jinan comprehensive city tour
- Days 4-6Northern region exploration
- Days 7-9Eastern highlights
- Days 10-12Southern attractions
- Days 13-14Return to Jinan, departure
Where to stay in Jinan
Three tiers, every traveller covered — from cost-conscious to flagship hotels.
Budget ¥200-350 ($30-52)
Hostels, budget hotels, and guesthouses offer affordable stays without sacrificing experience.
Mid-range ¥500-900 ($75-134)
Boutique hotels and well-located accommodations provide comfort and convenience at reasonable prices.
Luxury ¥1,500+ ($224+)
World-class resorts and premium hotels deliver unforgettable experiences.
Shangri-La Jinan
Five-star hotel on Luoyuan Avenue in central Lixia, close to Baotu Spring, Black Tiger Spring and Daming Lake, with walking access to the Quancheng Road shopping area.
Check rates on Booking.comInterContinental Jinan City Center
Five-star hotel in the central business district, a 10-15 minute walk from Baotu Spring and near Black Tiger Spring and Daming Lake.
Check rates on Booking.comSofitel Jinan Silver Plaza
Five-star Accor hotel in the Silver Plaza tower on Luoyuan Avenue, 1-2 km from Baotu Spring, Daming Lake and Thousand Buddha Mountain.
Check rates on Booking.comHyatt Regency Jinan
Five-star hotel on Jingsi Road, about 1.5 km from Baotu Spring, 10 minutes from Daming Lake and 6 minutes from Jinan Railway Station by car.
Check rates on Booking.comWhere to eat in Jinan
Cafés, neighbourhood gems, and tasting menus worth the table reservation.
Yanxitang (燕喜堂)
Yanxitang is a Jinan restaurant known for lu cuisine house founded in 1932, reopened at the Jinju Lane old site as a private-kitchen restaurant. Search the Chinese name in Amap or Baidu Maps to navigate, and check hours on Dianping before visiting. Coordinates are approximate; confirm the pin in Amap or Baidu Maps.
Kuishengju Century-Old Lu Cuisine (魁盛居百年鲁菜馆)
Kuishengju Century-Old Lu Cuisine is a Jinan restaurant known for century-old Lu cuisine restaurant in Xianxi Lane, a short walk from Furong Street. Search the Chinese name in Amap or Baidu Maps to navigate, and check hours on Dianping before visiting. Coordinates are approximate; confirm the pin in Amap or Baidu Maps.
Jufengde Restaurant (聚丰德饭店)
Jufengde Restaurant is a Jinan restaurant known for long-established Jinan Lu restaurant whose name combines characters from three older restaurants. Search the Chinese name in Amap or Baidu Maps to navigate, and check hours on Dianping before visiting. Coordinates are approximate; confirm the pin in Amap or Baidu Maps.
Huixianlou Restaurant, Furong Street (会仙楼饭庄芙蓉街店)
Huixianlou Restaurant, Furong Street is a Jinan restaurant known for furong Street Lu restaurant serving classic banquet dishes alongside Jinan breakfast snacks. Search the Chinese name in Amap or Baidu Maps to navigate, and check hours on Dianping before visiting. Coordinates are approximate; confirm the pin in Amap or Baidu Maps.
Old Jinan Folk Snacks and Traditional Lu Cuisine, Furong Street (老济南民间小吃·传统鲁菜芙蓉街店)
Old Jinan Folk Snacks and Traditional Lu Cuisine, Furong Street is a Jinan restaurant known for budget Furong Street restaurant with most dishes around CNY 20 (~$3). Search the Chinese name in Amap or Baidu Maps to navigate, and check hours on Dianping before visiting. Coordinates are approximate; confirm the pin in Amap or Baidu Maps.
Chengnan Wangshi (城南往事)
Chengnan Wangshi is a Jinan restaurant known for lu cuisine restaurant tracing its name to 1937, serving bazi rou alongside banquet dishes. Search the Chinese name in Amap or Baidu Maps to navigate, and check hours on Dianping before visiting. Coordinates are approximate; confirm the pin in Amap or Baidu Maps.
Book a food tour in Jinan We may earn a commission from bookings made through this link.
Getting around Jinan
Transportation options in Jinan include local buses, taxis, and rental cars. Check local conditions before planning your travel.
Budget breakdown
Daily spend by tier in CNY (USD at 1 USD = 6.70 CNY), broken out by category.
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | ¥100-180 ($15-27) | ¥250-450 ($37-67) | ¥700+ ($104+) |
| Food (per day) | ¥50-90 ($7-13) | ¥120-220 ($18-33) | ¥350-700 ($52-104) |
| Transportation | ¥10-30 ($1.50-4.50) | ¥40-100 ($6-15) | ¥200-400 ($30-60) |
| Activities | ¥20-80 ($3-12) | ¥80-200 ($12-30) | ¥250-600 ($37-90) |
| Daily total | ¥200-350 ($30-52) | ¥500-900 ($75-134) | ¥1,500+ ($224+) |
Best time to visit Jinan
Weather through the year in Shandong
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Shandong.
Jinan has a warm-temperate monsoon climate with hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters. Spring and autumn are most comfortable; late summer brings the strongest spring flow after the rains.
The springs flow strongest in late summer and autumn and can run lower after dry winters. Reserve museum entry ahead for holiday periods.
Essential travel tips
- Two days cover the springs, Daming Lake, Thousand Buddha Mountain and the Shandong Museum; add a half-day for Lingyan Temple
- Reserve the Shandong Museum on its WeChat mini-program and bring a passport
- Most museums close Mondays; check the day before
- Install Amap (Gaode) or Baidu Maps; Google Maps is unreliable in China
- Link a foreign card to Alipay or WeChat Pay before arrival
Safety information
Use metered taxis or the Didi app rather than unmarked cars offering rides at Jinan West Station and the old railway station
Download Alipay or WeChat Pay and link an international card before arrival; cash is accepted at most attractions but is increasingly awkward
Keep valuables in a front pocket at crowded spots such as Baotu Spring, Furong Street and on trains
Tap water is not potable; use bottled or boiled water
Emergency numbers are police 110, ambulance 120 and fire 119; a foreign-language operator is not guaranteed, so save a Chinese address for the hotel
Frequently asked questions
What is Jinan famous for?
Jinan is called the Spring City for its more than 70 springs, including Baotu Spring and Black Tiger Spring. It is also home to Daming Lake, Thousand Buddha Mountain and Lu cuisine.
How many days do I need in Jinan?
Two days cover the springs, Daming Lake, Thousand Buddha Mountain and the Shandong Museum. Add a half-day for Lingyan Temple.
When is the best time to visit Jinan?
April-May and September-October have the most comfortable weather. The springs flow strongest after summer rains.
How do I get to Jinan?
High-speed rail from Beijing takes about 1.5 hours and from Qingdao about 1.5-2 hours, arriving at Jinan West or Jinan East Station. Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport (TNA) serves domestic and some international flights.
What currency is used and are cards accepted?
The Chinese yuan (CNY). At 1 USD = 6.70 CNY, a meal of local street food is about CNY 30-60 (~$4.50-9). Alipay and WeChat Pay are the norm; link an international card to either before arriving, and carry some cash as backup.