Jinan Daming Lake Super Sweet Guide｜Unlock the "Romance of Xia Yuhua" with Xiao Na

Dear friends👭! This time, Xiao Na will take you into Jinan’s "City Green Eye"—Daming Lake! It’s not just about the legend of Xia Yuhua~ Here hides the true Jiangnan vibe of "lotus flowers on three sides, willows on three sides, a city of mountains and half a city of lake." You can explore a whole day without repeating, so tuck this guide away and set off! 1. Why must you visit Daming Lake?🌟 • Soul of Jinan: As the core of the "World’s Number One Spring Scenic Area" (together with Baotu Spring and Qianfoshan, known as the "Three Wonders of Jinan"), Daming Lake is a natural lake with over 6,000 acres of water like a green gem. In summer, lotus leaves stretch to the sky; in autumn, reeds drift like snow; in winter, frost decorates the lake—each season boasts a fairy-like beauty~ • Free lake visit: The entire scenic area is open for free! Only small attractions like Chaoran Tower and boat rides charge fees, making it a joy for students and budget travelers~ • Cultural buffs galore: Besides the story of Xia Yuhua, here you’ll find traces of Li Qingzhao and Xin Qiji. The "Autumn in Jinan" described by Lao She is hidden in the willow shade by the lake. Walking here feels like stepping into a textbook~ 2. How to get there? Super convenient transportation🚗 Metro (top choice! No traffic jams) • Line 2/Line 3 Furong Square Station Exit D: 10-minute walk to Daming Lake South Gate (the busiest gate, directly into the core area) • Line 1/Line 2 Jinan Station: 15-minute taxi to Southwest Gate (near Chaoran Tower, very convenient for night light viewing) Bus • Take K11, K41, or K109 to "Daming Lake Station": Directly to South Gate • Take K31 or K36 to "Daming Lake Southwest Gate Station": Get off right at Chaoran Tower Self-driving Navigate to "Daming Lake Scenic Area Parking Lot" (both South Gate and Southwest Gate have parking; during peak season, arrive early as spots may be full after 10 AM~) 3. Photo check-in spots! 10 photo locations to cover your social feed📸 1. Chaoran Tower (must-shoot! Jinan landmark) • Daytime: Red walls and green tiles with lake water, stand on the stone steps in front of the tower, have a friend shoot from a low angle to frame the tower and blue sky, full ancient vibe~ • Night 7:00 PM-10:00 PM: Tower lights up! Warm yellow light shines through doors and windows, like traveling back to an ancient palace. Remember to reserve your spot an hour early; the reflection of the tower on the lake is stunning~ 2. Lixia Pavilion (center of the lake island) • Take a boat from South Gate to the lake island (30 RMB/person). Lixia Pavilion on the island is one of China’s Four Famous Pavilions, with vermilion pillars and green tiles. Stand by the pavilion for photos with sparkling lake water behind you, instantly becoming the heroine of a costume drama~ 3. Nanfengci Lotus Pond (summer exclusive) • Visit from June to August! The pond in front of the shrine is full of lotus flowers, pink and white petals reflecting on the bluestone path. Wear light-colored dresses, squat by the pond, let the wind blow your hair, and capture the moment when lotus leaves cover your face—gentle to the core~ 4. Jiaxuan Shrine (off-the-beaten-path ancient style) • Shrine commemorating Xin Qiji, with red walls, dark tiles, and pomegranate trees. The stone table and stools in the courtyard have great atmosphere. Bring a book, sit on the steps, and pretend you’re reading in an ancient academy~ 5. Tie Gong Shrine "Little Canglang" (top Jiangnan vibe) • Known as "Jinan’s First Garden"! The round moon gate frames the lake and distant Qianfoshan. Stand behind the gate for a "framed scene" photo—no filter needed, it’s like an ink painting~ 6. Daming Lake Archway (must-shoot at entrance) • The stone archway at South Gate, engraved with the characters "Daming Lake," with willows and lake behind. Stand under the archway, tilt your body to the side, let willow branches hang on your shoulder—natural and photogenic~ 7. Jiaxuan Shrine Pier (stunning sunset) • 5-6 PM, the sunset dyes the lake golden. Sit on the stone steps here, have a friend shoot from across the lake, you, the sunset, and boats all in one frame—atmosphere maxed out~ 8. Qushuiting Street Entrance (old town vibe) • Exit Daming Lake East Gate to Qushuiting Street, with bluestone paths and waterside homes. Stand at the corner of "Daming Lake - Qushuiting Street" for a shot of "lake light meeting old street," blending natural beauty with lively local life~ 9. Chaoran Tower Pier (night boat perspective) • Take the night boat (80 RMB/person) and shoot Chaoran Tower from the boat. Lights, tower shadows, and water ripples from oars—every snap captures the essence of "Night Jinan"~ 10. Willow Bank and Oriole (spring exclusive) • March to April, willows by the lake sprout new buds, orioles sing on branches. Stand in the willow shade for a side profile shot, letting sunlight filter through leaves onto your face—soft and glowing~ 4. What to eat? Jinan old flavors full guide🍜 1. Lakeside snacks (eat while strolling) • Youxuan: Freshly baked spiral-shaped small cakes, crispy outside and tender inside. Sprinkle salt or sugar, buy one at a stall by South Gate, eat on the go—delicious to the core~ • Sugar-roasted chestnuts: Must-eat in autumn! Roasted fresh at lakeside snack shops, hot chestnuts peeled and ready to eat, sweet and glutinous, warming hands and stomach~ • Spring water tofu pudding: Made with Jinan spring water, tofu pudding is as tender as pudding. Topped with sesame paste, chili oil, and pickled vegetables, available at breakfast stalls near Chaoran Tower, 5 RMB a bowl, super satisfying~ 2. Must-try old brands (for main meals) • Caobao Baozi Shop (Puli Street branch): Century-old Jinan brand, pork soup buns burst with juice in one bite, paired with millet porridge, about 30 RMB per person to eat your fill~ • Yanfu Private Kitchen (Henglong Plaza branch): Top Shandong cuisine! Sweet and sour carp crispy outside and tender inside, shaped like "Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate," plus stir-fried kidney and sweet soup, about 60 RMB per person for a feast~ • Old Jinan Braised Pork (Jingsi Road branch): Large chunks of braised pork, fatty but not greasy, poured with sauce over rice, paired with spicy stir-fried large intestine, carb lovers will be ecstatic~ 5. Where to stay? 3 types of hotels for you🏨 1. Lakeside scenic type (5-minute walk to the scenic area) • Jinan Daming Lake Hotel: Right next to Southwest Gate, some rooms have views of Daming Lake! Retro Chinese decor, open curtains in the morning to see willow branches, about 200+ RMB per person, excellent value~ • All Season Hotel (Jinan Daming Lake branch): Opposite South Gate, minimalist modern style, super comfortable bedding, 2-minute walk to Chaoran Tower, return to the hotel right after the night lights, about 300+ RMB per person~ 2. Old town lively type (super convenient for eating and exploring) • Jinan Shuxiang Shijia Hotel (Qushuiting Street branch): Hidden in Qushuiting Street, a courtyard with blue bricks and gray tiles, open the window to flowing water and old locust trees, wake up to birdsong, about 400+ RMB per person, full experience~ • Orange Crystal Hotel (Jinan Daming Lake branch): Near Furong Street, downstairs are various snack shops, decorated in Instagram style, rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows with old town night views, about 250+ RMB per person~ 3. High-end comfort type (suitable for vacation) • Jinan Luneng Guihe Intercontinental Hotel: 10-minute drive from Daming Lake, five-star hotel, spacious rooms, executive lounge with views of Qianfoshan, relax in the pool when tired, about 800+ RMB per person~ 6. Xiao Na’s travel tips💡 1. Dress right: Daming Lake has lots of willows and water, recommend wearing light colors (white, pink, blue) to blend with nature~ Shoes must be sneakers! You’ll walk 20,000-30,000 steps, high heels will make you cry~ 2. Boat guide: To save energy, choose the "Lake Loop Boat" (80 RMB/person, 1 hour). To go to the island, choose the "Lake Island Route" (30 RMB/person, includes island fee). Book night boats one day in advance, peak season fills up fast~ 3. Avoid crowds: Chaoran Tower is packed on weekends and holidays! For empty shots, come on weekdays or arrive before 8 AM at South Gate. Fewer people, beautiful scenery, and morning mist~ 4. Bring a light jacket: Jinan summers by the lake are breezy, winters are very cold. No matter the season, bring a thin jacket to avoid catching a cold~ 5. Recommended lake route: "Southwest Gate → Chaoran Tower → Jiaxuan Shrine → Tie Gong Shrine → Lake Island → South Gate → Qushuiting Street." This loop avoids backtracking and covers all main spots~ Dear friends! Daming Lake is really not just a "Xia Yuhua" check-in spot~ Here you can feel Jinan’s slow life: watch elders do Tai Chi by the lake in the morning, eat a bowl of spring water tofu pudding at noon, sit under willow shade waiting for sunset in the evening, and watch Chaoran Tower light up at night… This kind of "half mountain, half water, half city" romance can only be understood by coming~ Save this guide well. Next time you come to Jinan, don’t just visit Baotu Spring. The breeze from Daming Lake will blow right into your heart~💖