Daming Lake Scenic Area is located in the northeastern part of Jinan city center, to the north of the old city, and is a park that integrates water scenery, garden landscapes, and ancient architecture. Daming Lake is at the heart of the park, and it can be said that the park is built around the lake. Daming Lake is a natural lake, with its water source coming from many springs within the city, known as the ‘confluence of springs,’ and it has a long history that dates back to the Northern Wei Dynasty.
The Daming Lake Scenic Area is divided into the old and new scenic areas, with a total of 16 scenic spots throughout the area. Strolling through it is like enjoying a landscape in ink painting. In addition, the entire scenic area is connected to the moat, forming a leisurely lake tour landscape line. The beauty of water and land in the park is continuous, and it was also a gathering place for celebrities and literati in the past. Today, visitors can still visit the Lao She Memorial Hall and Jia Xuan Garden, which has an exhibition of Xin Qiji’s life story.
Daming Lake Scenic Area has four gates – east, south, west, and north. Each gate offers a different view. Entering through the east gate leads to the old scenic area, where the main scenery includes ‘Zeng Di Ying Shui.’ Zeng Di is a long dike located on the east side of the scenic area, connecting the north and south, and it is the only way to get from the south bank of Daming Lake to Bei Zhu Pavilion. Willows hang over the dike, and waves crash on both sides of the dike. Next to Zeng Di, there is a Chao Ran Tower, from which one can climb to overlook the entire scenery of Daming Lake, which is also one of the 16 scenic spots, ‘Chao Ran Zhi Yuan.’ Walking south along Zeng Di towards the south gate and entering the new scenic area, there are seven bridges of different styles, which is the ‘Qi Qiao Feng Yue’ of the 16 scenic spots. Among them, Que Hua Bridge is one of the most historical and famous bridges. The Lao She Memorial Hall is located in this scenic spot.
Walking west from the south gate, you can reach ‘Jia Xuan You Yun,’ which is between the south and west gates. Jia Xuan Garden, originally named Jia Xuan Ci, was established in memory of the patriotic hero Xin Qiji. Visitors can feel the patriotic sentiments and the scenes of Xin Qiji’s military life here. There is a boat tour in the scenic area that takes visitors to a small island in the middle of the lake, where there is a Li Xia Pavilion. The red and gold plaque above the pavilion is handwritten by Emperor Qianlong, and the wall inside the pavilion is engraved with ‘Gu Li Ting Fu’ written by Pu Songling for the pavilion. This is one of the 16 scenic spots, ‘Li Xia Qiu Feng.’ Continuing by boat to the northern part of the scenic area, near the east gate, there is a ‘Hui Bo Tower.’ Climbing the Hui Bo Tower, one can overlook Mount Fo from the south and Que Hua Bridge from the north, with the clear waters of Daming Lake below. When the sun sets in the west, the lake surface is sparkling, which is one of the 16 scenic spots, ‘Hui Bo Wan Zhao.’ Walking west from the Hui Bo Tower and passing the north gate, you can arrive at one of the 16 scenic spots, ‘Cang Lang He Yun.’ Here, there are Tie Gong Temple, Cang Lang Pavilion, and Xiao Cang Lang Pavilion. Every summer, the river is filled with blooming lotus flowers, which is very beautiful.
In addition to walking, taking a cruise ship is also a good choice when visiting Daming Lake. Boating on Daming Lake is both relaxing and does not affect sightseeing. If you are tired from walking, there are restaurants at the north and south gates for tourists to replenish energy. The prices will be a bit higher than outside the park. Tourists who do not want to eat in the park can bring their own food or go to Furong Street outside the south gate. This is a snack street with affordable and good-quality food.
Opening hours: Open all year round from 05:00 to 22:00.
Service facilities: Parking lot: [Kaiyuan Square Parking Lot (Southwest Gate of Daming Lake)]. Reference price: ¥2/hour. Address: 273 Daming Lake Road, southwest gate of Daming Lake Park. Number of parking spaces: 500. Transportation in the park: Reference price: 100 yuan/person. Address: Heihuquan Boat Station. Route: Board the ship at Heihuquan Boat Station and complete a full tour passing through Quancheng Square Boat Station – Baotu Spring Boat Station – Wulongtan Boat Station – Southwest Gate of Daming Lake Boat Station – Huxi Wharf Boat Station – Sijia Wharf Boat Station – Xiaodonghu Boat Station – Qinglongqiao Boat Station – Laodongmen Boat Station and return to Heihuquan Boat Station.
Daming Lake Scenic Area
Daming Lake Scenic Area is located in the northeastern part of Jinan city center, to the north of th[...]
