Baotu Spring (趵突泉), located in the heart of Jinan, Shandong Province, is more than a scenic landmark—it’s a living symbol of the “City of Springs.” Jinan is famous for its Seventy-Two Famous Springs, but Baotu Spring is the crown jewel, long hailed as “The Number One Spring Under Heaven.” Alongside Daming Lake and Thousand Buddha Mountain, it forms the “Three Greatest Attractions” of Jinan, drawing travelers from across China and the world.
Why Baotu Spring Is Special?
The celebrated writer Lao She once remarked, “Without Baotu Spring, Jinan would lose half its charm.” Anyone who visits quickly understands why. The moment you pass through the park gates, you are embraced by the sound of flowing water, the scent of fresh willow leaves, and an atmosphere that feels both timeless and serene.
In ancient times, the spring was called Luo, serving as the source of the Luo River. Today, it still bursts from the earth in three powerful streams, so clear and cool that they seem almost unreal. Surrounded by carefully laid stone terraces and traditional railings, the spring invites visitors to pause, lean forward, and watch nature’s performance.
Famed Qing dynasty writer Pu Songling once declared it “the greatest spring in all the land, unmatched among the scenic wonders of Jinan.” Over centuries, countless poets, painters, and travelers have celebrated its beauty in verse, paintings, and travel notes.
The Scene That Awaits You
The water here is astonishingly clear—you can count every stone at the bottom and follow the lazy movements of fish as they glide through the currents. The sight recalls ancient poetry describing fish that “swim as if floating in the air.”
Willow trees stand like graceful sentinels along the banks, their branches bending gently toward the surface. Traditional Chinese pavilions, with ornately carved beams, painted rafters, and elegant upturned eaves, rise above the greenery. These historic structures not only provide shade but also frame perfect photo compositions.
On sunny afternoons, the entire spring transforms into a shimmering canvas. The light refracts through the water, scattering golden ripples that dance across the surface. The combination of water, light, and architecture creates an almost dreamlike beauty that photographers and painters alike find irresistible.
Suggested Visitor Routes
∙ East Gate – Half-Day Leisure Walk:
East Gate → Li Qingzhao Memorial Hall → Shuyu Spring & Jin Xian Spring → Cang Garden → Wan Bamboo Garden → Baotu Spring → Luoyuan Hall → Luoyuan Garden → Spring Water Natural Geology Exhibition Hall → Wusan Hall → Exit via North Gate.
∙ North Gate – Highlights in One Trip:
North Gate → Luoyuan Garden → Three Saints Hall & Eying Shrine → Baotu Spring main pool → Wan Bamboo Garden → Wuyou Spring → White Snow Pavilion → Cang Garden → Shuyu Spring → Li Qingzhao Memorial Hall → Zhuoying Pool → Wusan Memorial Garden → Exit via North Gate.
Tip: If your schedule allows, try one route in the morning and the other in the afternoon to fully appreciate the park’s changing light and atmosphere.
A Charming Local Legend – The “Baotu Spring” Stele
Local folklore adds an extra layer of charm. It’s said that in the past, Baotu Spring’s waters surged so strongly that any stone stele placed nearby would eventually be washed away. Determined to solve the problem, officials invited Hu Zanzong, then governor of Shandong and a celebrated calligrapher, to inscribe a new stele. The hope was that his authority and artistry would symbolically “calm” the spring’s force.
On the Dragon Boat Festival, Hu and his entourage erected the stele at the spring’s source. Not long after, people noticed something unusual—the dot in the Chinese character “突” (Tu, meaning “surge”) had been washed away and was said to have floated into Daming Lake. There, the character “明” (Ming, meaning “bright”) mysteriously gained an extra stroke. To this day, locals enjoy telling visitors that Baotu Spring’s “Tu” is missing a dot, while Daming Lake’s “Ming” has an extra line.
Baotu Spring Travel Tips
1. Best Time to Visit: July–August during the rainy season, when the spring gushes most dramatically and the sound of rushing water fills the air.
2. Cultural Experience: Bring a coin to toss into the spring mouth. Locals believe it brings good luck and that wishes made here are especially likely to come true.
3. Photography Hotspot: From the railing opposite the spring, you can frame both the surging water and Guanlan Pavilion—a perfect traditional Chinese scene.
4. Golden Hour Magic: Around 4 PM, sunlight hits the water at the perfect angle, turning every ripple into a golden wave.