Lake Daminghu

» Ji'nan, Shan Dong

Lake Daminghu Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information

For its beauty, Lake Daminghu has been the converging place for celebrities throughout history. In 13 century, the Italian traveler, Mark Polo marveled here as "what a beautiful landscape of lake and rocks." With some other scenic spots dotted inside, such as "Rest Garden", "Jiaxuan Temple" and "Beiji Temple", the Lake has become very popular among tourists from home and abroad.

Three must-see tourist spots in Jinan

The three must-see tourist spots in Jinan include Lake Daminghu, Baotu Spring Park and Thousand Buddha Mountain.

Something about the Lake

The name of Daming Lake was first recorded in the Annotated Book of Waters written by Li Daoyuan, a writer in the Northern Wei Dynasty. This lake covers an area of 460sqkm, and has 6 dotting islands within. Reputed as the pearl of the city of springs, the Lake Daminghu is located in the northern part of Jinan of Shandong Province. And the unique park which is famous with the Lake is located at the center of the city, making it much more precious.

How came the Lake

There are over hundred gushing springs in Jinan which is claimed as a city of springs. Among them 72 are well known. Lake Daminghu is thus formed naturally with the constant spring waters. Flowing from the south bank into the lake and out through the water gate built in Song Dynasty when the lake is full. Since the lake bottom is of staunch rock, the water level is constant all year round, as is said to be not flooding even with everlasting rain and not to dry up in the severest drought.

Honors in history

For its beauty, Lake Daminghu has been the converging place for celebrities throughout history. In 13 century, the Italian traveler, Mark Polo marveled here as "what a beautiful landscape of lake and rocks." In the center of the lake perches the Lixia Pavilion, upon which hangs the horizontal name scroll written by an ancient emperor and the vertical scroll, "Old is the pavilion in central China and many are celebrities in Jinan", written by Du Fu. With some other scenic spots dotted inside, such as "Rest Garden", "Jiaxuan Temple" and "Beiji Temple", the Lake has become very popular among tourists from home and abroad.

What to enjoy here

The park is full of beautiful sceneries and places of historical interest. It is unique in that it contains both natural landscapes and scenery of humanities. Moreover, this unique park is located at the center of the city, which makes it much more precious.

Fascinating beauty

The clear water, the hovering birds, the springing fish, the drifting boats appeal to everyone who loves natural scenery. With the lotus ever since ancient times, weeping willows on the banks, scattered flowers and trees everywhere, the beauty of the lake is best manifested by lines in a poem." With lotus on all sides and willows on three sides, the lake presents half of the beauty of the mountainous city of Jinan."

Scenery of humanities

The park is rich in cultural relics, too. The centuries-old historic culture is best reflected in such historic sites and key points of interest as Lixia Pavilion, Tiegong Ancestral Temple, Nanfeng Ancestral Temple, Beiji Temple (North Pole Temple), all being surrounded with green trees and blooming flowers.

Beiji Temple

The largest Taoist Temple in Jinan City, Beiji Temple (North Pole Temple), also called North Temple is located at the northeast bank of Lake Daminghu. First built in the Yuan Dynasty (1271 - 1368), it has been restored many times. This group of constructions consists of the Bell and Drum Tower, the Front and Back Halls, and two other rooms. In the Front Hall, one will find the gilded statue of Zhenwu in the center (a Taoist god), and other 18 mud statues to represent the divinity of wind, thunder, etc.

The man-made fountain

The centerpiece of the lake is a great man-made hectometer fountain built in 1985. The fountain has 103 injectors, and the main injector can spout water as high as 100 meters (about 328 feet) in all its majesty.

Lixia Pavilion

In the lake center is the widely known Lixia Pavilion Island, where in 745 Dufu, a poet of Tang Dynasty hosted a feast for Li Yi, a calligrapher. Over the feast, Dufu improvised a poem with the lines "Of pavilions west of the sea, this one is the oldest; of the eminent scholars, Jinan has the most."

Tiegong Ancestral Temple

Tiegong Ancestral Temple was built in memory of head of war ministry of Ming Dynasty, who protected Jinan from attacks by King of Yan Empire and was killed when refused to surrender after being defeated.

Nanfeng Ancestral Temple

Nanfeng Ancestral Temple was set up in honor of Zeng Gong, a literary writer of Song Dynasty. Born in Nanfeng, Jiangxi province, he served as mayor of Jinan in 1072. During his term, he built the north water gate against flooding, winning popularity among the folks for his achievement in his post.

Taking part in local festivals

Because of both the exceptionally natural and man-made scenery, each year there are a variety of recreational programs held in the park, such as temple fair during the spring festival, flower show in the beginning of spring, lotus show, folk-custom cultural activities, miniscape show and odd stone show, to mention just a few.

When to visit

Opening Hours: 6:30a.m. - 6:00p.m.

Getting there

By bus: No.11, 6, 31, 33, 36, 37, 41, K54

Attractions around » Ji'nan, Shan Dong

Natural Scene

• Baotu Spring
• Lake Daminghu
• Thousand Buddha Mountain

Cultural Site

• Shandong Provincial Museum

Lake Daminghu 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

Lake Daminghu 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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