Baotu Spring

» Ji'nan, Shan Dong

Baotu Spring Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information

Baotu Spring is nestled in the centre of Baotu Spring Park which is located in the center of Jinan city, Shandong Province. When water bursts out from the three outlets; the spring creates thunderous sounds and sprays water jets. Sometimes water columns are created that reach as high as 26.49 meters (about 86.9 feet), making a real spectacle.

"First Spring Under Heaven"

The spring gushes out in three fountains bubbling like boiling water about a foot high. Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911), on an inspection tour to the south, stopped here and tasted the water of the spring. He was so pleased that he conferred on it the title "First Spring Under Heaven."

One of the three must-see spots

Baotu Spring Park is one of the three must-see tourist spots in Jinan, others include Lake Daminghu, and Thousand Buddha Mountain.

Where it is

Baotu Spring is nestled in the centre of Baotu Spring Park, which neighbors the Thousand Buddha Mountain to the south, Quancheng Square to the east and the Lake Daminghu to the north.

Baotu Spring

The Baotu Spring flows from the underground caves. Its largest steam flows at a rate of 240,000 cubic meters per day. When water bursts out through the three outlets, the spring gives thunderous sounds, and water columns surge upward, looking like spinning wheels.

The spring keeps its temperature at about 18 degree Celsius all year round. In the cold winter, mist rises from and hangs over the spring pond, and the clear, deep spring water reflects the ancient-styled buildings with colorful carvings and upturned eaves.

The landscape presents a picturesque view of a paradise on earth. Poems and prose have been written for the spring view. Together with its environs, it has been turned into a park of the same name that is now one of the three major places of interest in Jinan.

Baotu Pool

Baotu Spring's pool is rectangular in shape, 30 meters long and 20 meters wide, and is encircled by stone balustrades. The pool of the spring assumes the shape of a square, and the water is of pure and sweet quality.

All the old buildings and relics there have been restored. The springs and ponds have been thoroughly dredged, and the banks lined with stone. Lawns and rockeries have been built and numerous trees and flower planted. Around the pool sit such famed buildings as the Luoyuan Hall, Banbi Corridor, Waterside Chamber, and Guanlan Pavilion.

Tasting tea

There is a saying here that you will spoil your Jinan tour if you do not drink the tea brewed with Baotu Spring water. Because it is both pure in quality and mellow in taste, the natural spring water could be directly used for drinking, especially making tea.

Tea tasting is a favorite past time here. To the east of the spring is the famous Wangheting Teahouse, where you can recreate the moment when past Emperors sat there, tasting tea and enjoying the beautiful scenic delights of Baotu Spring.

Baotu Spring Park

With ten cultural features, including the spring, rocks, opera performances, lanterns, chrysanthemum, calligraphy, paintings and stone tablets, the Baotu Spring Park has become a world famous tour spot, which synthesizes characteristics of both the south and north parks in China and combines the spring, rocks and culture of landscape garden in one park.

Former home of Li Qingzhao

The park was the former home compound of Song Dynasty poetess Li Qingzhao. The park contains a full museum devoted to her life and work, with placards in English and Chinese, and wax figures illustrating her childhood, marriage, and later years.

Various courtyards

In addition to the poetry and history of Li Qingzhao, the park is full of courtyards that guide you in and out of one another. Each one is devoted to a natural Chinese icon such as bamboo, plum, peach, crab tree, persimmon, or even the springs themselves. Therefore every courtyard inspires a different feeling, one that was carefully engineered by initiated feng shui masters!

Enjoy the Lantern Festival

Lantern Festival of Baotu Spring Park has a long history. During the lantern festival period, you may find lanterns everywhere in the park, on top of the buildings, in the trees, on the water, inside the rooms. The lanterns are of various shapes: dragon, lion, and crab etc. which are designed in accordance with the style of the garden and water views in the park.

Meanwhile, there are also entertaining performances organized and presented in the park, such as stilts walking (Gaoqiao), land boats and lion dances. The park also holds performances of Peking Opera all year round.

When to visit

Opening Hours: 7:00a.m. - 11:00p.m.

Getting there

By bus: 5, 41, 49, K54, K96, K66, 85, 102, 103, 104

Attractions around » Ji'nan, Shan Dong

Natural Scene

• Baotu Spring
• Lake Daminghu
• Thousand Buddha Mountain

Cultural Site

• Shandong Provincial Museum

Baotu Spring Highlights

Lake & Spring in Great China

• West Lake
• Lake Kanas
• Lake Namtso
• Lake Qinghaihu
• Lake Yamdrok
• Huaqing Pool
• Crescent Spring
• Lake Qiandaohu
• Lake Xuanwuhu
• Lake Taihu
• Slender West Lake
• Lake Hongfenghu
• Lake Dianchi
• Lake Luguhu
• Heavenly Lake
• Butterfly Spring
• Lake Erhai
• Longsheng Hot Spring National Park
• Lake Bitahai
• Lake Shuduhu
• Lake Napahai
• Red Carp Pond
• Hupao Spring
• Black Dragon Pool
• Lake Karakuli
• Tianhe Pool
• Lake Dongtinghu
• Baotu Spring
• Lake Daminghu
• Yuquan Park
• Lake Bosten
• East Lake Scenic Area

Baotu Spring FAQ & Travelers's Tips

  Weather

1. How is the weather in Shandong? Anything to prepare?

  Food

1. What to notice about dining in Shandong?

  Shopping

1. What are some local products in Shandong? What to notice when buying them?

  Travel

1. What should I notice when visiting scenic spots?

• How is the weather in Shandong? Anything to prepare?

  There is a big difference between morning and nights temperature. The average temperature is between 16-26 degrees C, so you should put on or take off clothes at suitable times to prevent from catching a cold. Wear warm clothes when climbing Mt.Taishan, because the temperature on the mountain can be 8 C 10 degrees lower than at the foot of the mountain. Dont forget to bring raincoats or umbrellas.

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• What to notice about dining in Shandong?

  • The food in Shandong belongs to Lu cuisine. The seasoning of Lu cuisine is a bit strong, so that there is a big difference between Lu cuisine and Yue Cuisine. If you dont like strong seasoning you can ask for light seasoning dish.
  
  
  • Drink enough water, and eat more fresh fruit.
    
    
  • Do not eat food or snack at the little stands along the street, they might not be clean.
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• What are some local products in Shandong? What to notice when buying them?

  Shandong local products
  Donkey-hide Glue, kites, grass art works, green stones from Mt.Laoshan, gyrophora, tommy knocker, Longkou Vermicelli, Dezhou Braised Chicken, pancake, Yantai apples, Laiyang pears, Laoshan green tea, etc.

  Notice: make sure the products you buy are all real, and worth the price.
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• What should I notice when visiting scenic spots?

  • It is very crowded in some hot scenic spots, so please follow your guide closely, in case you will get lost.
  
  
  • Take good care of you personal belongings, especially your passport.
  
  
  • Please do not reach your head or hand out of the window when in the tour bus.
  
  
  • Protect historical sites and the plants around, do not draw or carve on the architectures.
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