Welcome to Jinan!

Here is a 7-day, 6-night in-depth travel guide for Jinan designed with a budget of 5000 RMB, balancing culture, nature, cuisine, and comfort, perfect for travelers who enjoy a slow pace and deep exploration. As a travel blogger, I will detail the plan covering transportation, accommodation, attractions, food, and budget allocation. --- 📍 Destination: Shandong · Jinan (Spring City) 📅 Duration: 7 days, 6 nights 💰 Total Budget: 5000 RMB (per person) 🎯 Style: Culture + Nature + Authentic Food + Light Hiking + City Strolling ✈️ 1. Transportation Budget (about 1200 RMB) - Long-distance transport (High-speed train/bullet train) Assuming departure from nearby cities like Beijing/Shanghai/Zhengzhou, round-trip second-class high-speed train tickets cost about 800-1000 RMB (cheaper in off-season). It is recommended to buy tickets 30 days in advance to grab early bird or discount tickets. - Local transportation (subway + bus + taxi) Jinan’s subway covers major attractions, buses are convenient, and taxi starting fare is 12 RMB. Estimated 6-day local transport cost: 200 RMB (including subway card, shared bikes, short taxi rides) ✅ Transportation Tips - Download the “369 Travel” app to scan QR codes for subway and bus rides - Walk or bike around Daming Lake, Baotu Spring, and Spring City Square areas 🏨 2. Accommodation Budget (about 1800 RMB) Choose comfortable chain hotels or boutique guesthouses near Spring City Square or Daming Lake, with convenient transport and beautiful night views. - Recommended areas: - Around Quancheng Road pedestrian street (e.g., All Seasons, Atour, Home Inn Business) - Near the East Gate of Daming Lake (some guesthouses offer lake views) - Budget: - Average 300 RMB per night × 6 nights = 1800 RMB - Consider long-stay discounts or early booking deals 💡 Accommodation Advice Choose hotels with breakfast included to save on morning meals and experience local breakfast culture. --- 🎯 3. Attractions & Experiences (about 800 RMB) Jinan’s attraction tickets are generally inexpensive; most parks are free or low-cost. | Attraction | Ticket Price | Notes | |---------------------|--------------|--------------------------------| | Baotu Spring Park | 40 RMB | "The Number One Spring Under Heaven," a must-visit | | Daming Lake Scenic Area | Free (10 RMB to climb Chaoran Tower) | City’s green lung, stunning night views | | Wulongtan Park | Free | Quiet and less crowded, clear spring water | | Qianfoshan Scenic Area | 30 RMB | Climb for panoramic views of Jinan, a place for blessings | | Heihu Spring + Liberation Pavilion | Free | Popular water collection spot and landmark | | Shandong Museum | Free (reservation required) | Learn about Qilu culture | | Kuanhouli / Furong Street | Free | Food streets, great for photos | | Hongye Valley (optional) | 60 RMB | Gorgeous in autumn, 30 minutes from city by car | | Jinan Zoo | 15 RMB | Family-friendly, also suitable for adults | ✅ Total ticket cost about 155 RMB ✅ Other experiences - Boat ride on Daming Lake (painted boat 30 RMB/person) - Spring water tea tasting (some tea houses offer free samples) - Free City Walk routes (recommended: Spring Cluster Trail, Old Commercial Port) 🎯 It is recommended to buy the “Quancheng Pass” tourist combo ticket (if available) to save some costs. --- 🍜 4. Food Budget (about 1200 RMB) Jinan is one of the birthplaces of Shandong cuisine, with abundant snacks and great value! 🍽️ Must-try list & budget reference (for 6 days): | Meal | Recommended Dishes | Budget per Meal | |---------|---------------------------------------|-----------------| | Breakfast | Sweet rice soup + Youxuan (Old Ma’s / Keyuan Road) | 10-15 RMB | | Lunch | Braised pork rice bowl, Nine-turn large intestine, Sweet and sour carp | 30-50 RMB | | Dinner | Kuanhouli snacks or old-brand Shandong cuisine restaurants | 50-80 RMB | | Snacks | Fried skewers, milk soup with pu cai, spring water tofu | 20 RMB per time | ✅ Recommended restaurants - Lao Zhou’s Beef Pancake (famous for Youxuan) - Qiaotoubao Braised Pork (local favorite) - Jin Chunxi (dumplings + Shandong cuisine, nice environment) - Bai Jia Fat Intestines (recommended for late-night snacks) - Chao Yixing (fast food chain, great value) 💡 Money-saving tips - Have fast food or rice bowls for lunch, and try specialty dishes for dinner - Share snacks at Kuanhouli to avoid waste --- 🗺️ 5. Daily Itinerary Suggestions (slow pace · deep travel) Day 1: Arrive in Jinan + Spring City Night Charm - Arrive in the afternoon, check into hotel - Evening stroll at Spring City Square → Heihu Spring night view → Dinner at Kuanhouli - Check out: Liberation Pavilion light show Day 2: The Number One Spring + Daming Lake - Morning: Baotu Spring Park (see the three spring streams) → Li Qingzhao Memorial Hall - Afternoon: Wulongtan → Walk to Daming Lake (enter from south gate) - Evening: Climb Chaoran Tower to watch the lights turn on (7:00 PM) - Dinner: Snacks at Furong Street Day 3: Qianfoshan + Old Commercial Port Culture - Morning: Climb Qianfoshan, admire Buddha sculptures, chrysanthemums/red leaves - Afternoon: Shandong Museum (learn about Longshan culture, Han dynasty artifacts) - Evening: Explore Old Commercial Port (German architecture, cafes, rabbit sculpture) - Dinner: Creative Shandong cuisine at Old Commercial Port Day 4: Spring Water Secret Exploration Day - Morning: Water collection experience at Heihu Spring → Pipa Spring − Baishi Spring (walk along moat) - Noon: Rest at a teahouse near Wangfuchi Street - Afternoon: Visit Pearl Spring Courtyard (outer area) → Wangfuchi (old city spring swimming pool) - Dinner: Try Caobao Bun Shop Day 5: Nearby Nature (Hongye Valley or Baima Spring) - Option A (autumn): Hongye Valley Ecological Area (bus 65 direct) - Option B (spring): Zhangqiu Baima Spring + Mingshui Ancient City (beautiful “Plum Blossom Spring”) - Return in the evening, dinner with Jinan barbecue (local favorite street food vibe) Day 6: City Walk + Cultural Experience - Morning: Shandong University Hongjialou Campus (Gothic church) - Noon: Café near Hongjialou Church - Afternoon: Qushuiting Street (small bridges, flowing water, traditional houses) → Baihuazhou - Evening: Daming Lake music fountain or folk music pub Day 7: Departure + Souvenirs - Morning: Buy souvenirs - Youxuan (vacuum packed) - Pingyin rose tea/rose jam - Zhangqiu iron wok (small commemorative model) - Return after lunch --- 💡 6. Money-saving & Practical Tips 1. Many free attractions; most parks, spring clusters, and streets in Jinan are free, plan well to save on tickets. 2. Direct drinking water points at Heihu Spring and Pipa Spring; bring a water bottle for eco-friendly local experience. 3. Travel off-peak; avoid Baotu Spring crowds on holidays, enter before 8 AM for fewer people and better views. 4. Wear comfortable shoes; expect about 15,000 steps daily, Jinan old town is great for walking. 5. Best seasons are spring and autumn (March-May, September-November); summers are hot, winters dry and cold. --- ✅ Total Budget Summary (per person) | Item | Cost | |----------------|----------| | Transportation | 1200 RMB | | Accommodation | 1800 RMB | | Tickets & Experiences | 800 RMB | | Food | 1200 RMB | | Total | 5000 RMB | > 💰 Actual cost can be controlled around 4800 RMB, leaving 200 RMB for emergencies or souvenirs. --- 📌 Conclusion Jinan is an underrated treasure city, with spring water flowing through streets and alleys, full of old-town charm. In 7 days, no rush, just enjoy the poetic life of “every home has spring water, every household has willow trees.” As a travel blogger, I sincerely recommend you take a “slow spring journey.” If you want me to generate a PDF version of the guide or daily map routes, just let me know! 📷✨ Wishing you a pleasant trip, may spring water always accompany you! 💧🌸