Daming Lake Scenic Area in Jinan

Daming Lake Scenic Area in Jinan

Daming Lake Scenic Area in Jinan is a cultural heritage site protected at the provincial level in Shandong Province.

Daming Lake is one of the three major scenic spots in Jinan. It is a natural lake, first documented over 1,400 years ago in the "Commentary on the Water Classic" by Li Daoyuan of the Northern Wei Dynasty. During the Sui and Tang dynasties, it was called "Lishui Pond" and "Lotus Lake," in the Song Dynasty it was also known as "West Lake," and in the Jin Dynasty it was referred to as "Daming Lake." Its water originates from springs such as Pearl Spring, Zhaoying Spring, and Lotus Spring, giving rise to the saying "confluence of numerous springs." It is also known for the unique natural phenomena of "never flooding despite continuous rain, never drying up despite prolonged drought" and the ecological mystery of "no snakes seen, no frogs heard." Today, Daming Lake is located within the old city area of Jinan, covering a park area of 86 hectares with a lake surface of 46 hectares and an average depth of 2 meters. The phrase "lotus on four sides, willows on three, a city of mountains, a lake half the city" captures its scenic charm. The lake teems with birds soaring and fish leaping, with painted pleasure boats gliding through, while the shores are adorned with blooming flowers and bustling visitors. Around the lake are numerous historical sites and attractions such as Lizhao Pavilion, Tie Gong Ancestral Hall, Nanfeng Ancestral Hall, Hui Bo Tower, North Pole Temple, and Xiahua Garden, among which Lizhao Pavilion and Tie Gong Ancestral Hall are municipal-level cultural heritage protection units.

Daming Lake

The North Pole Pavilion is situated on the north shore of Daming Lake, also known as the North Pole Temple or the True Martial Temple. It is a Taoist temple built in the 17th year of the Zhiyuan era of the Yuan Dynasty (1280 AD) and renovated during the Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty. The temple is constructed on a stone platform over 7 meters high, consisting of front and rear halls, bell and drum towers, and east and west wing rooms. The main hall enshrines the statue of the Northern Water God, the True Martial Emperor, accompanied by vivid statues of the Turtle and Snake Generals and the Four Heavenly Lords, all exuding lifelike expressions. The walls on both sides of the main hall feature murals depicting the legend of the True Martial Emperor’s ascension to immortality, which hold significant artistic value. The rear hall, called Qisheng Hall, houses the statues of the True Martial Emperor’s parents.

Hui Bo Tower is located on the northeastern shore of Daming Lake, atop the North Water Gate. The North Water Gate was built in 1072 AD (the fifth year of the Xining era of Emperor Shenzong of the Song Dynasty) by Zeng Gong when he served as the governor of Qizhou. It is the only northern city gate of Jinan, serving both as a floodgate to release and prevent water as well as a passageway for boats. In 1371 AD (the fourth year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty), when the new city wall was constructed, a two-story tower was built atop the North Water Gate. Since the city’s springs converge into Daming Lake and then flow out through the North Water Gate, it was named Hui Bo Tower.

After its construction, Hui Bo Tower became a popular spot for sightseeing, banquets, and poetry. Throughout history, many literati have composed poems here. Before liberation, the tower was destroyed in war. In 1982, the municipal government rebuilt it on the original site. The new tower largely retains the original appearance as a double-eaved, two-story tower with a majestic presence. From Hui Bo Tower, visitors can admire the scenic beauty of Que and Hua Mountains to the north, overlook the picturesque Daming Lake to the south, and at sunset, enjoy the magnificent view of Hui Bo Evening Glow, one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Jinan.

Tie Gong Ancestral Hall is located at the western end of the north shore of Daming Lake. Built in 1792 AD (the 57th year of the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty), it was established to commemorate Tie Xuan, a military minister of the Ming Dynasty and provincial administrator of Shandong. During the reign of Emperor Jianwen of the Ming Dynasty, when Prince Yan (Zhu Di) marched south to seize power and attacked Jinan, Tie Xuan led the military and civilians in a steadfast defense, repeatedly repelling the prince. After Zhu Di captured Nanjing and declared himself emperor, Tie Xuan was eventually captured and sacrificed due to insufficient forces. Later generations, in reverence of his heroism, built this ancestral hall in his honor. Tie Gong Ancestral Hall is a traditional Chinese-style courtyard covering over 6,000 square meters, consisting of winding corridors, a three-room ancestral hall, and a "Lake and Mountain Overview Tower." The garden is shaded by willows and covered with creeping vines, while outside the courtyard lies a vast lake to the south and dense pine woods to the north, creating a serene and expansive environment. The architecture is simple and elegant, with the Little Canglang Pavilion being particularly charming.

Little Canglang is a small garden with a Jiangnan-style design, located next to Tie Gong Ancestral Hall. Built in 1792 AD (the 57th year of the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty), it consists of the Little Canglang Pavilion, winding corridors, and a lotus pond. It was modeled after the Suzhou Canglang Pavilion but on a smaller scale, hence the name "Little Canglang." The winding corridor runs along the lake, with water channels leading into the lotus pond. An octagonal Little Canglang Pavilion stands by the pond. The entire architectural complex is ingeniously laid out, refined and elegant, with an otherworldly ambiance. On both sides of the entrance to Little Canglang, there is a famous couplet by Liu Fenggao of the Qing Dynasty describing the scenery of Jinan: “Lotus on four sides, willows on three, a city of mountains, a lake half the city.” It was inscribed by the Qing calligrapher Tie Bao.

“Lotus on four sides, willows on three, a city of mountains, a lake half the city” vividly captures the exquisite beauty of Daming Lake. With picturesque scenery, the lake is alive with birds flying and fish leaping, lotus flowers covering the surface, painted boats gliding through, and the shores lined with lush willows and blooming flowers, resembling a grand, colorful scroll painting.

Daming Lake boasts stunning natural scenery and a wealth of historic sites. Over 800 weeping willows encircle the lake, their soft branches hanging low and gently touching the water. The lake currently features over 40 acres of lotus ponds, with emerald green leaves, white lotuses, and red water lilies complementing each other in a vibrant display of color and fragrance that fills the air.

Xiahua Garden is located on the southern shore of Daming Lake. Established in 1909 AD (the first year of the Xuantong era of the Qing Dynasty) by Luo Wangjun, the then Education Commissioner of Shandong, when founding the Shandong Library, it was originally part of the library before being separated and incorporated into Daming Lake Park. The layout and design of Xiahua Garden were modeled after the renowned Tianyi Pavilion, a famous book collection building in Ningbo, Zhejiang, featuring connected winding corridors. Upon completion, it gained fame for its elegant scenery and rich collection of books, earning the reputation of “Southern Pavilion (Tianyi Pavilion) and Northern Garden (Xiahua Garden).” The garden features striking rockeries, lush flowers and trees, rugged stones, meandering corridors, and exquisitely placed pavilions, including structures such as the Reading Hall, Mingyi Boat, and Haoran Pavilion. All are uniquely designed, simple, and elegant, earning the title of “Jinan’s No. 1 Standard Courtyard.” Additionally, the northwest corner of the garden features stone carvings of Zhuge Liang’s "Memorial on Dispatching and Recalling the Troops" (both the former and later versions), handwritten by Yue Fei, embedded in the corridor walls.

Address: No. 271, Minghu Road, Lixia District, Jinan City

Business Hours: Off-season 6:30–17:30; Peak season 6:30–18:30

Recommended Visiting Time: Approximately 2 hours

Price Description: Free admission

Featured Scenery: Quehua Misty Rain — One of the Eight Scenic Spots of Jinan. On rainy autumn days, when looking north toward Que and Hua Mountains from a distance, they appear to merge and separate amid the misty rain, sometimes hidden, sometimes visible, enveloped in clouds and fog like two faint smoky silhouettes. This view can be seen from the Quehua Bridge and Hui Bo Tower on Daming Lake, as well as from the summit of Thousand Buddha Mountain.

Lizhao Pavilion is located on the largest islet in the lake, named for its position beneath Lishan Mountain. Surrounded by water on all sides and shaded by green willows, it stands tall and dignified, simple and elegant, with red pillars, green tiles, an octagonal double-eave roof, and painted beams, making it a majestic and classic wooden structure. Lizhao Pavilion has a long history and has undergone many changes. In 745 AD (the fourth year of the Tianbao era of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty), the famous poet Du Fu once feasted here with Li Yong, the governor of Beihai, and wrote the poem "Accompanying Li Beihai at Lizhao Pavilion." The line “Of all pavilions under heaven’s right, this one is ancient; of all famed men in Jinan, there are many” became widely celebrated, making Lizhao Pavilion famous throughout the land.

Hui Bo Evening Glow — One of the Eight Scenic Spots of Jinan, best viewed from Hui Bo Tower. In the northeast corner of Daming Lake is a gate called the North Water Gate. Above the gate is a bridge called Hui Bo Bridge, beneath which is a temple called Yan Gong Temple, below that is a platform called Yan Gong Platform, and beneath the platform is a gate known as the Arch Gate. Below the gate flows water, and beside it grow willows that drape over the gate and dip into the water. A gentle breeze stirs the willow branches, rippling the water into brocade-like patterns. When illuminated by the setting sun, the surrounding scenery is bathed in orange-red hues, creating a particularly enchanting scene known as “Hui Bo Evening Glow.”

Recommended Tour Route: (1) Enter through the southwest gate, walk along the lake to visit the Poetry Steles, Dragon Spring Pool, Square Pigeon Release Area, Amusement Zone, Tie Gong Ancestral Hall, Tianxiang Garden, Zeng Gong Murals, Minghu Treasure Tripod, Group Flowers Pavilion, Moonlit Pavilion, North Pole Temple, Hui Bo Tower, Nanfeng Ancestral Hall, Yuhe Pavilion, Jianmen Calligraphy and Painting Gallery, Mingchang Bell Pavilion, and Lotus Goddess Temple, then return to the North Pole Temple, take a painted boat to Lizhao Pavilion, continue boating to South Shore Cuiliu Screen Island after the tour. Disembark to visit the Xin Qiji Memorial Hall and Xiahua Garden, exit through the south gate, and conclude the tour.

(2) Enter through the south gate archway → Xiahua Garden, Jiaxuan Ancestral Hall, Minghu Residence → Take a boat to Lizhao Pavilion Island and Huiquan Temple Island → Take a boat to the north shore → Visit Nanfeng Ancestral Hall, Lotus Goddess Temple, Yuhe Hall, Jianmen Calligraphy and Painting Gallery, Mingchang Bell Pavilion → Hui Bo Tower → North Pole Temple, Induction Well Spring, Natural Oddities Museum, Minghu Treasure Tripod, Tie Gong Ancestral Hall → Tianxiang Garden → Amusement Park → Exit through the southwest gate

Guide Service Fees: All minor attractions offer guided tour services. For groups of fewer than 5 people, the fee is 100 RMB; for 5 or more, the fee is 200 RMB.

Supporting Facilities:

Daming Lake Park offers a variety of distinctive souvenirs, including gold foil paintings featuring five designs: panoramic views of Minghu, Lizhao Pavilion, the memorial archway, and Tie Gong Ancestral Hall. These are exquisitely crafted, uniquely charming, and hold collectible value.

He Xiang Village Restaurant: 150 seats; Minghu Tower Restaurant: 250 seats; Lakeside Restaurant (foreign-related hotel): 300 seats, 100 accommodation spaces.

The scenic area offers sightseeing battery vehicles at 10 RMB per person for a one-way trip and 15 RMB for a round trip; shuttle boats cost 5 RMB per person; various types of sightseeing boats are also available.

Sightseeing Vehicle Station (southwest gate) ticket price: 10 RMB per person. Tour route: Southwest gate, amusement park, Tie Gong Ancestral Hall, Minghu Tower, North Pole Temple, Nanfeng Ancestral Hall, east gate.

Visitor Service Center: Located at the ticket office of the southwest gate of the scenic area, providing services such as guided tours, tourist reception, and complaint handling.

Buses:

The city has launched the “Tourist Bus 777” sightseeing bus route, which passes by various attractions of the "Number One Spring Under Heaven."

Self-driving Guide:

Take the G3 Beijing–Taipei Expressway, exit at Jinan West, head east along Jingshi Road, then get on the Shunhe Elevated Road northbound at the Provincial Sports Center. Exit at Minghu North Road to reach the North Gate of Daming Lake. It takes about 30 minutes after exiting the highway.

Parking Information:

Parking is available on both sides of the entrance gates to the scenic area; capacity is approximately 500 vehicles.

Tickets:

Free entry; Ruzhan Tower: 40 RMB, Sightseeing Bus: 10 RMB per person, Boat Ride: 10 RMB per person.

Opening Hours:

Old Area:

Low Season: 5:00–6:30 AM for morning exercise, 5:30–8:30 PM for evening exercise;

High Season: 5:00–6:30 AM for morning exercise, 6:30–9:00 PM for evening exercise;

New Area: Except for certain attractions and commercial facilities, all land areas in the Daming Lake New Area are open to the public free of charge all day.

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of Shandong Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units