[2025 Jinan Attraction] Travel Guide for Wangfu Pool (Updated Oct)

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! 💧🌸

During the Qingming Festival holiday, embark on a 3-day cultural journey through Jinan, Tai'an, and Jining! Savor Bazir meat, enjoy Confucius Mansion Banquet and Mount Tai Welcome Feast, plus experience an intangible heritage horse carriage city tour and Three Confucian Sites guided by a Confucius descendant. Don't miss out - this guide helps you explore the best of these three cities! 🎉Itinerary: DAY1: Daming Lake Scenic Area -> Wangfu Chi -> Baotu Spring Scenic Area -> Black Tiger Springs -> Kuanhouli Immerse yourself in Jinan's scenic beauty, explore the stunning Daming Lake, and experience the ancient charm of Wangfu Chi. Then visit Baotu Spring to admire the flowing springs, followed by Black Tiger Springs to appreciate its unique charm. End your fulfilling day at Kuanhouli, savoring authentic Bazir meat. DAY2: Mount Tai Scenic Area -> South Heaven Gate Begin your Mount Tai adventure, experiencing nature's grandeur and mystery. Climb to the South Heaven Gate for a panoramic mountain view and witness the ethereal beauty of the sea of clouds. In the evening, treat yourself to the Mount Tai Welcome Feast for a sumptuous local dining experience. DAY3: Three Confucian Sites Scenic Area -> Confucius Temple Visit the cultural city of Qufu to explore the profound heritage of the Three Confucian Sites. Listen to stories about these sites from a Confucius descendant while immersing yourself in Confucian culture. Don't forget to taste the Ginkgo Poetry Ritual and steamed fish from the Confucius Mansion Banquet, letting your taste buds experience traditional culture. Finally, take an intangible heritage horse carriage ride through the city, experiencing an ancient mode of transportation to perfectly conclude your journey.🎊 Must-Visit Attractions: Mount Tai Scenic Area ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Address: Hongmen Road, Daiyue District, Tai'an City, Shandong Province Opening Hours: 05:00-02:00 Recommended Duration: 1-2 days After spring rain, the sea of clouds at Mount Tai's peak is breathtaking. The mist wraps the mountain in a white veil, creating a spectacular sight. May is perfect for viewing the sea of clouds and sunrise - don't miss it! Daming Lake Scenic Area ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Address: 271 Daming Lake Road, Lixia District, Jinan City, Shandong Province Opening Hours: 05:00-22:00 Recommended Duration: 2-3 hours Want to experience the fusion of art and nature? Visit Daming Lake! Here you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of water surrounding green trees and blooming lotus flowers, while experiencing the collision of traditional culture and modern art. Black Tiger Springs ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Address: South bank of the city moat at the foot of Jiefang Tower, Lixia District, Jinan City, Shandong Province Opening Hours: 24 hours Recommended Duration: 1-2 hours On sunny spring days, the red flowers, green willows, and crystal springs around Black Tiger Springs create a beautiful landscape. Take a stroll along the river and experience old Jinan's unique charm for both visual and spiritual enjoyment. Essential Travel Tips: 📸 Photo spots: Mount Tai sunrise, Qushui Pavilion Street, Daming Lake waterfront - don't miss these beautiful views! 🍜 Local delicacies: Try the rich but not greasy Bazir meat, Ginkgo Poetry Ritual and steamed fish from the Confucius Mansion Banquet, and Mount Tai Welcome Feast - a feast for your taste buds awaits! ✈️ Airport transportation: From Jinan Airport, take high-speed rail to Tai'an and Jining - convenient and fast! 💡 Friendly reminder: Pack mainly spring/autumn clothing and don't forget comfortable walking shoes for the journey. Jinan-Tai'an-Jining - this journey won't disappoint! Don't forget to follow me for more exciting travel guides!🎉

Wangfu Pond is located in the middle section of Wangfu Pond Street. It has been a sacred spring forest site since the Tang and Song dynasties, originally called Grey Spring, also known as Zhuohuai Spring. It is recorded in the Jin Dynasty's 'Famous Springs Stele', the Ming Dynasty's 'Poems of the Seventy-two Springs', and the Qing Dynasty's 'Records of the Seventy-two Springs'. The name Zhuoying Spring comes from the meaning of 'clear water for rinsing tassels, turbid water for washing feet' in 'Mencius · Li Lou I', and the name Wangfu Pond is derived from its original location within the courtyard of Prince De's mansion. More than 1,600 years ago during the Northern Wei Dynasty, this place was favored by many scholars and literati. They often gathered by the pond for 'floating cup' drinking and praised this place as 'Flowing Cup Pond'. Wangfu Pond now measures over thirty meters in length from north to south, and over nineteen meters in width from east to west, with a water surface area of more than six hundred square meters, and the pond banks are built of stone. On the south side is where people enjoy the spring, with a stone stele inscribed with 'Guanying Spring' and a pavilion. During the water-rich period, the spring's flow is very strong, the water is as clear as jade, and the spring bubbles like pearls, filling the pond. Weeping willows hang by the bank, and residential houses are built next to the spring, creating a charm reminiscent of the water towns in the south of the Yangtze River. Among the trees, vine trellises provide shade, with stone tables and benches set underneath.

Jinan is a city with a rich cultural heritage, truly suitable for slowing down, putting aside impatience, and savoring slowly~ 💦Spring water, as a characteristic of Jinan, is definitely not to be missed 💛And the old city streets of Jinan are also quite charming Locals have summarized a citywalk day tour route in Jinan where it's not crowded but you can feel the springs and the old streets, a suggestion worth saving⬇ 🌟One-day tour route: Zhenzhu Quan Courtyard (one of the three famous springs in Jinan, with clear turquoise water, the courtyard also has Zhenzhu Quan, Sanshui Quan, Xiting Quan, Chu Quan...) ↓ Wangfu Pool (a hidden treasure spring, Zhuoying Quan, in the old city area) ↓ Tengjiao Quan (a fork in the road heading north from Wangfu Pool) ↓ Qifeng Bridge (great for photography, a location for movies and TV dramas) ↓ Xigeng Road (an old street connecting Quancheng Road and Qushuiting Street) ↓ Liu's Spring (at the end of Xigeng Road, you can see a slender stream) ↓ Qushuiting Street (Jinan's 'Little Jiangnan' is tranquil and leisurely, very nice to stroll around) ↓ Baihua Zhou (pond/swans/mandarin ducks/lotus flowers/clear water, the romance unique to Jinan) ↓ Fuxue Confucian Temple (Jinan's 'Little Forbidden City') 🌷All these places are not far from each other, and they are all free This route is one that lets you experience the real life breath of Jinan people. After walking it, you'll find that Jinan is really romantic, and there are also some low-key small fortunes, a relaxed and comfortable sense of happiness❤ ~

When you go to Quancheng Jinan to play, how can you not eat traditional Lu cuisine? Wangfuchizi No.4 Courtyard of the Old Town, featuring traditional Lu cuisine, sweet and sour squid, fried fried kidney, nine-turned large intestine, and a well-known Lu cuisine, eats the authentic taste of only old Jinan. The environment of the small courtyard is also very good. The spring water slowly flows. In this season, it is really pleasant to remove a bottle of chilled beer from the spring water and a piece of cool watermelon.