Qianggan Spring

Qianggan Spring

Qianggan Spring

Qianggan Spring is located about 200 meters east of the dam at Taoke Reservoir in Liubu Town, surrounded by mountains and boasting beautiful scenery. The spring lies beneath the northern cliff of Dongyu Valley. There is a rock cave on the cliff face, approximately 40 centimeters in diameter, from which water flows out into a pool that is 12 meters long, 2 meters wide, and over 1 meter deep, before eventually flowing into Taoke Reservoir. This spring has a very strong flow and runs year-round. The Qing Dynasty’s “Licheng County Annals” recorded: “The spring sprays and nourishes the gardens, ranking first among the springs of Longmen.”

The origin of Qianggan Spring is said to be linked to the Southern Song Dynasty national hero Xin Qiji, who created it by thrusting his spear into the rock. Xin Qiji was born in 1140 in Sifeng Gate, Licheng, Jinan, and throughout his life advocated resisting the Jin invaders, reclaiming lost territory, and unifying China. At the age of 22, he joined the peasant uprising army led by Gong Jing in Jinan along with his monk friend Yi Duan, gathering a force of 2,000 and serving as the army’s secretary. Unexpectedly, Yi Duan stole the official seal and defected to the enemy. Enraged, Xin Qiji chased him alone on horseback through the night to the south of Taoke Village in Liubu, where he retrieved the stolen seal. By the time the sun rose, Xin Qiji was parched and exhausted, but no water could be found. In desperation, he thrust his spear forcefully into the cliff face. When he pulled it out, a hole appeared in the rock, and a clear spring gushed forth continuously. Xin Qiji and his horse drank their fill before returning to camp. Later generations, in honor of this outstanding national hero and patriotic poet, named the spring “Qianggan Spring.”

Transportation Tip: Bus No. 22 on the suburban line from Quanfu Overpass can take you directly to Liubu.