China: Exploring Jinan

NDO - Jinan, the capital of Shandong Province, China, is a famous cultural, historical, and tourist city known as the "city of springs." Jinan is one of the first cities to be ranked among China's best tourist destinations.

Jinan City is known as the "city of springs," boasting 1,209 springs, 950 of which are famous. A unique feature of Jinan's springs is that they originate underground and erupt to the surface through "spring points."

Located in the busiest and most vibrant area of ​​Jinan city center, Baoduquan Park is a famous 5A-level national tourist attraction featuring the spring of the same name combined with cultural structures.

In 1956, the Bao Dot stream area was planned to be developed into a park. Through several upgrades and expansions, its area has increased from 3.4 hectares to 10.5 hectares. The park contains many streams, but Bao Dot stream is the most famous of the 28 streams located there.

Bao Dot Spring is associated with a beautiful legend. According to the legend, in ancient Jinan, there was a physician named Bao Quan who always helped people. One day, Bao Quan brought an old man who had fainted by the roadside back home for treatment. Unexpectedly, the old man turned out to be the brother of the Dragon King, so the Dragon King gifted the physician a white jade vase to use for healing and saving lives. Fearing theft, Bao Quan hid the jade vase underground, which then transformed into Bao Dot Spring, the "Number One Spring in the World," as it is known today.

Bao Dot Stream ranks first among the 72 famous streams in Jinan City. Its groundwater level fluctuates between 26-29 meters depending on the rainy and dry seasons. The Bao Dot Stream Lake is where the underground stream erupts to the surface through three "stream eyes," with a large water flow that at times reaches 162,000 cubic meters. _­ ³ /day and night. Around the lake there are many ancient architectural structures such as Lac Vien Duong, Quan Lan Pavilion (pavilion overlooking the stream), Lai Hac Bridge (bridge welcoming cranes) and a series of surrounding corridors.

The spring water in Bao Dot Lake maintains a constant temperature of 18 degrees Celsius year-round. Therefore, in winter, when the temperature drops, the water surface evaporates, creating ethereal mist that lingers around ancient pavilions and buildings, forming a fairy-tale scene on earth. Additionally, the lake contains many small "spring points" that erupt, forming "strings of pearls" of bubbles floating in the water.

Dubbed the "Number One Spring" among more than 70 famous springs in Jinan, Baodut Spring is a symbol of the city and a popular check-in spot for tourists. Therefore, locals have a saying, "If you don't visit Baodut Spring, your trip to Jinan is wasted."

An aerial view of a section of Bao Dot Tuyen Park.

Bao Dot Stream Lake viewed from above.

Quan Lan Temple - a place to admire Bao Dot, the "most beautiful stream in the world".

The Bao Dot stream erupts to the surface through 3 "stream eyes".

Lac Vien Duong - a national-level cultural site.

The corridor serves as a resting place for visitors to admire the view of Bao Dot stream lake.

The photo-taking spot at Bao Dot Tuyen Lake is always packed.

A corner of Bao Dot stream lake.

Young Chinese people take souvenir photos by Baodut Stream Lake.

A corner of the Leopard Spring Park.

Lush green pine trees cast their shadows on the lake and stream.

The spring water in the park is so clear you can see all the way to the bottom.

Magnolia flowers have bloomed in Bao Dot Tuyen Park.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/trung-quoc-kham-pha-te-nam-thanh-pho-cua-nhung-con-suoi-post799736.html