Qu Shui Ting Street

Qu Shui Ting Street

Qu Shui Ting is adjacent to Bai Hua Zhou and Da Ming Lake to the north, and close to the back gate of the government office to the south, attracting many visitors. Nearby, the Imperial Examination Hall is also a hub for scholars. According to Professor Xu Beiwen, a Jinan cultural studies expert, until the liberation, the area along both sides of the river south of the pavilion was densely packed with bookstores—about forty or fifty shops dealing in ancient and second-hand books. Some research suggests that during the Ming Dynasty, Qu Shui Ting Street belonged to the De Wang Fu, so the Qu Shui Ting at the confluence of Qu Shui and Yu Dai rivers may have been built during the Ming era. In the Qing Dynasty, Qu Shui Ting connected to Qi Feng Bridge to the south and Bai Hua Bridge to the north, retaining its old name but rebuilt as a three-room tile-roofed house facing east and west. Later, it was moved into the water, becoming a gathering spot for chess enthusiasts, and the couplet on its door was changed to “Sit in Li Xia Ting and muse on the past; watch chess quietly by Que Hua Bridge.” During the Republican era, Zhao Jialin, a boatman from Da Ming Lake, took charge of Qu Shui Ting. At that time, the Qu Shui Ting Chess Club was widely renowned—not only did top local players gather here, but nationally known chess masters and even some Japanese players were aware of it. As a result, the club was featured in the *Jinan Grand View* compiled in the 1930s. Qu Shui Ting Street features small bridges over flowing water, weeping willows swaying gently, and an elegant, picturesque landscape. The street’s layout, structure, and architecture possess distinctive characteristics that reflect the style and identity of Jinan. To the north lies Da Ming Lake, to the south connects Xi Geng Dao, to the east overlooks the north gate of De Wang Fu, and to the west neighbors the Jinan Confucian Temple, also known as the Wen Miao. Locals often say, “Fu Rong Street, Xi Kui Wen, Qu Shui Ting Street behind Zai Men.” On one side are old houses with blue bricks and red tiles, and on the other flows tranquil spring water. Residents wash rice and clothes here, bringing vitality to the old street amid its antique charm, and liveliness within its serenity. Clear springs can be found throughout the courtyards, streets, and alleys, flowing year-round, murmuring softly through daily life and lending this northern ancient city a touch of the grace and beauty of southern water towns. The street names are unique, elegant, and artistic, rich in cultural significance, beloved and familiar to most residents. Qu Shui Ting Street is catchy to say, pleasant to hear, and steeped in cultural flavor. Such historic street names represent a valuable urban cultural resource for Jinan, condensing the essence of historical culture and offering useful inspiration for future naming. New street names should emphasize uniqueness, richness, heritage, artistry, and the integrity of proper and common names. On the 23rd, the Olympic torch’s auspicious clouds enveloped the Spring City, and many old streets and alleys were adorned with bright red national flags. As the flags fluttered and the springs gurgled, a more fervent Olympic welcome swept through the streets. The arrival of the sacred flame felt like New Year’s to everyone. A campaign jointly launched by the Provincial Civilization Office and Qilu Evening News, titled “When the Sacred Flame Passes, Let the National Flags Fly,” received an enthusiastic response from the city’s residents. At 6:30 a.m. on Qu Shui Ting Street in Jinan, just arriving at the street entrance, one could see the bridges lined with national flags—hundreds of bright five-starred red flags waving in the wind, reflecting in the clear spring water and complementing the green trees along the shore. The gentle breeze made it a truly delightful scene. “We’ve been waiting and hoping—the Olympic flame is finally here today, and I’m more excited than during New Year’s. It feels like we’re suddenly so much closer to the Olympics,” said resident Aunt Qu, who celebrated the occasion as if it were the New Year, getting up early to make dumplings and eating a festive breakfast before 6 a.m. Under the national flag, old street residents become tour guides. “Qu Shui Ting Street is a famous old street in Jinan, with beautiful scenery and plenty of springs. Look how lovely it is with all these flags!” At a bridge on Qu Shui Ting Street, resident Aunt Cui was introducing the area to several out-of-town visitors, her tone brimming with joy, acting just like a local guide. The visitors, from Guangdong, had come to Jinan for a holiday and had originally planned to leave the day before. But upon hearing about the torch relay, they postponed their departure by a day. Early in the morning, they headed out to join the festivities on the streets, seeking a bit of celebration. When light rain fell, Aunt Cai and Aunt Guo rushed to the community office. They worried, “We heard there’s heavy rain today—let’s not let the flags get wet. We’d better take them down quickly.” But soon, the dozen or so women each held a flag, and in less than two minutes, dozens of flags were once again flying in the wind. Their movements were swift, almost like a trained drill. It turned out that to hang all the hundreds of flags before 8 a.m. on the 23rd, they had prepared a waterproof plan in advance, conducted site surveys, and done some simple training. “We practiced for over an hour, so hanging the flags takes just a minute, but the real work is in the prep,” joked Director Su from the neighborhood committee.

Time Needed

1–2 hours

Transportation

Take bus routes 11, 41, K109, K54, K95, or K98 to 【Da Ming Lake】station, then walk 131 meters.

Admission

Free

Opening Hours

Open all day

Location

Qu Shui Ting Street, Lixia District, Jinan, Shandong