Jining Beihu Provincial Tourist Resort

Jining Beihu Provincial Tourist Resort

Jining Beihu Scenic Area is situated at the intersection of Jiangsu, Shandong, Henan, and Anhui provinces, named for lying north of the South Four Lakes, with a total area of 22 square kilometers. The area features beautiful natural scenery, abundant cultural sites, a long history, and deep cultural roots, earning it the reputation of a radiant pearl on the land of southwestern Shandong. In October 1996, it was approved as a provincial tourist resort by the Shandong Provincial People's Government. The Beihu Scenic Area has also been honored with titles such as “Top Ten Water Scenic Tourism Units in the Province,” “Provincial Recreational Fisheries Demonstration Site,” and “Advanced Unit for Fine Services in Tourist Attractions” by the provincial tourism bureau and fisheries department.

The waters of Beihu have undergone four to five hundred years of transformation to form their current state. The area sits upon an alluvial plain at the western edge of the Shandong Hills. In the 33rd year of the Wanli era during the Ming Dynasty (1605 AD), a breach in the Yellow River caused low-lying areas spanning three to four thousand mu north of Xiaokoumen to Sunyangtian Village in Jining Prefecture (now Rencheng District) to become a lake. Over time, this evolved into today’s Beihu. The scenic lake is vast and picturesque, currently covering 8.9 square kilometers — four times the size of Hangzhou’s West Lake and more than ten times that of Jinan’s Daming Lake. Beihu is embraced by rivers on its east and west sides: the ancient Grand Canal to the east and the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal to the west, creating a unique “dual-river encirclement” landscape. A total of 36 rivers, large and small, flow into the lake, including major ones such as the Si River, Baima River, Guangfu River, Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, Old Canal, Zhao Wang River, Cai River, Zhu River, Zhu-Zhao New River, Wanfu River, and Dongyu River. These rivers converge radially from the east, north, and south into Nanyang Lake and then into Beihu, ensuring abundant water supply and excellent water quality. This provides ideal conditions for aquaculture and recreational boating.

Beihu is a naturally formed freshwater lake with a pleasant climate, abundant water sources, ample sunlight, fertile water, lush vegetation, and bountiful fish. The average water depth ranges between 1.5 to 2 meters. The lake teems with diverse aquatic life, including fish and shellfish, and is home to over 80 species of fish, including high-value varieties such as carp and whitebait. It serves as an important base for freshwater fish and aquatic products in Shandong Province. With its expansive surface, rich nutrient supply, shallow and flat lakebed, abundant sunlight, and warm climate, Beihu enjoys high transparency and abundant light and thermal resources, creating a superior natural ecological environment ideal for the growth of aquatic plants like reeds, lotus, water chestnuts, and gorgon fruits, as well as the reproduction of aquatic species such as fish, shrimp, and crabs. Research shows the lake hosts 115 genera of phytoplankton, 74 species of aquatic vascular plants, 68 types of zooplankton and benthic animals, and 78 species of fish and shrimp. It is also inhabited by rare animals such as minks, leeches, wild ducks, and wild birds. The lake produces over 50 kinds of premium aquatic products, including water chestnuts, lotus roots, wild rice stems, and reeds. Notably, four-hole carp, soft-shell turtles, blackfish, snails, crucian carp, green shrimp, eel, river crabs, white shrimp, muscovy ducks, Shanghai geese, lotus seeds, gorgon fruits, water chestnuts, and bitter river grass are famed for their exceptional quality.

Boasting a superior ecological environment, Beihu is an ideal habitat for birds. Surveys indicate the presence of over 130 bird species in the area, including 27 resident species, 27 summer migratory species, 9 winter migratory species, and 68 passage migrants. Eleven species under national protection — such as the whooper swan, great bustard, long-eared owl, and white-tailed sea eagle — can be found here. The lake's avian population mainly consists of waterfowl, including the Eurasian wigeon, bean goose, bar-headed goose, whooper swan, tundra swan, and great bustard. This rich birdlife offers an excellent foundation for ecotourism activities such as birdwatching.

Beihu offers breathtakingly leisurely and pleasant scenery. Upon entering through the scenic area’s Twin Dragons Bridge, visitors are greeted by four vividly crafted stone Pixiu statues standing guard at either end. Along the walkway, floral arches shaped like lucky deer and auspicious elephants, made from blossoms and greenery, showcase exquisite craftsmanship and charm. Rolling green hills are lined with lush ginkgo and ligustrum trees, while peculiar Taihu and Lingbi rocks rise majestically. Fountains and pavilions complement each other beautifully. Strolling along the newly built lakeside dock, visitors can admire weeping willows swaying along the long embankment, waves lapping the shore, and jagged rocks rising and falling amid the boundless blue waters where lake and sky merge. Numerous boats of various sizes glide across the lake, riding the waves. The flat lakeside ring road bustles with sightseeing vehicles and pedestrians. Outside the dike, wetlands are nestled along the edges of Beihu. Lush trees on both sides of the dike provide shade, while cool breezes from the lake and the rich fragrance of lotus flowers in the distance create a scene akin to “the lake within a painting, and people in a fairyland.”

Through historical development, the land of Beihu has nurtured its people and given rise to local culinary culture and delicacies. Beihu’s Fish Banquet enjoys fame across China, with signature dishes such as Braised Goose, Auspicious Longevity, Fresh Fish with Water Chestnuts, Floating Soup Fish Balls, Eight-Treasure Turtle Soup, Duck Lying on Snow, Loach in Tofu, Tube Fish, Lotus Leaf Meat, and Turtle by the River being beloved nationwide. Local specialties like Stewed Pork in Earthen Pot, Yutang Pickles, Satchel Fire Buns, Shad Soup, and Spicy Soup are renowned both within and beyond the province. This rich and distinctive food culture lays a solid foundation for tourism in Beihu.

Beihu is steeped in profound historical and cultural heritage. Princess Wencheng, the Tang Dynasty envoy who fostered harmony between Han and Tibetan peoples, grew up by the shores of Beihu. The poetic genius Li Bai once took a boat down the Guang River from outside the eastern gate of Jining, settled by the lake, and composed poetry over wine. The poetic saint Du Fu lingered in these waters and penned the famous verse, “When the water chestnuts ripen, timely rain falls; in August, the reeds lie waste.” Legendary figures such as Zhu Yingtai, Hua Mulan, and Li Qingzhao left widely known touching stories along Beihu’s shores. Historical sites like the Temple of Fuxi and Nuwa, the Ancient City of Kangfu, Shifo Temple, and Wanghai Hall are scattered throughout, enriching Beihu with invaluable relics. Six scenic wonders — “Iron Pagoda Chimes,” “Li Bai’s Evening View,” “Ink Spring’s Azure Waters,” “Phoenix Terrace Sunset,” “Kuang Tomb Morning Mist,” and “South Pond’s Lotus Purity” — surround Beihu, complementing its beauty. As part of the historic Eight Hundred Li Marsh, Beihu was once a haunt of the legendary heroes of Liangshan, leaving behind tales of their chivalrous deeds. Emperors Kangxi and Qianlong visited Beihu during their six southern tours to escape the summer heat. All of these elements bestow Beihu with deep cultural meaning and a profound sense of history.

Address: Office of Jining Beihu Provincial Tourist Resort Management Committee

Recommended Visiting Time: About 6 hours

Price Description: The scenic area is currently under construction and admission is free.

Featured Sceneries: (1) Rain Scene: During rainfall, fish leap from the water in a dancing spectacle. After the rain, rainbows appear, and the interplay of light and shadow creates a vivid, ink-wash painting effect known as “viewing a painting after the rain.” (2) Snow Scene: In the early melt after snowfall, houses wear white caps and trees don snowy coats — a truly breathtaking view. (3) Morning Glow and Sunset: Due to the vast water surface, sunrise and sunset reflections on the lake spark the imagination and evoke deep emotion.

Recommended Tour Route: Happy Valley Amusement Park – Beihu Landmark Stone – Unique Rock “Endless Love” – Beihu Pavilion – Crocodile Park – Snake Island – Deer Call Island.

Supporting Facilities:

Electronic touch screens are available in the scenic area for visitor information and navigation.

Visitor Service Center: The scenic area features a well-located and clearly marked visitor center that harmonizes with the surrounding landscape. With a reception area of 320 square meters, the center is fully equipped to provide promotional materials on dining, accommodation, transportation, sightseeing, entertainment, and shopping in the area. It also offers maps of the tour routes and updates on visitor flow. Guided tour (and interpretation) services are available, with a list of guides and their languages provided. The center has an audiovisual introduction system showcasing the scenic area. Benches and chairs of varying styles and sufficient quantity are available for rest, along with facilities for the disabled such as walking sticks and wheelchairs. Jining Beihu Scenic Area has signed a medical service agreement with Xuzhuang Subdistrict Health Center, which has established a clinic within the visitor center staffed with professional medical personnel. During peak tourist seasons, two tertiary hospitals in Jining City set up temporary medical stations in the scenic area to meet healthcare needs.

Location of Attractions

6 kilometers south of Jining urban area, Rencheng District, Jining City, Shandong Province