Nanchi Scenic Area in Jining City

　　The Nanchi Scenic Area is a classical garden park themed around historical culture, highlighting “green as the theme, water as the soul, culture as the essence, and people at the center.” It brings together Canal Culture, Li Bai-Du Fu Culture, and Queen Mother of the West Culture, featuring landscapes such as the Queen Mother’s Pavilion, Shaoling Shrine, Ancient Nanchi Archway, Evening Cool Pavilion, Nanchi Lotus Purity Archway, Stele Corridor, Nine Dragons Cascading Waters, Qiao Yu Art Gallery, Ancient Nanchi Bridge, and Love Museum. The northern part of the scenic area is a historical and cultural zone, with main attractions including the Queen Mother’s Pavilion, Evening Cool Pavilion, Du Fu Tea House, Poetry Steles, Arches, and Shaoling Shrine. These structures use architecture, small features, and plant landscapes to recall the former glory of Nanchi. The southern part is an ecological tourism zone, with tree zones and flower zones, creating the enchanting sight of “a profusion of blossoms exploring tranquility.”

　　“Nanchi” refers to the “Queen Mother’s Pavilion,” originally named “Ancient Nanchi,” built during the Kaiyuan and Tianbao eras of the Tang Dynasty (713–756 AD), covering an area of over 400 acres. It is located on the west side of Wangmugui Road, south of present-day Jining City. According to the Jining Direct-Controlled Prefecture Records: “The Queen Mother’s Pavilion is outside the South Gate, surrounded by water, with a single mound standing firmly in the middle... It was named after the idea of looking westward to the Jade Pool and the Queen Mother descending eastward.” The Jining County Annals state: “Ancient Nanchi is about three li south of the city, just outside the Small South Gate, which is the site of the old city. It spans approximately two to three li, containing the Queen Mother’s Pavilion. In the southwest of the pavilion, in the water, there is the Evening Cool Pavilion. In summer, when lotuses are in full bloom, their fragrance is intoxicating, and the white lotuses are particularly exceptional. It often attracts visitors to feasts here. There used to be the Du Wen Temple, dedicated to Li Bai, Du Fu, and He Zhizhang. Later, following the suggestion of local resident Li Yuheng, the memorial also included Magistrate Xu.” This shows that during the glorious Tang Dynasty, this was a popular scenic spot in Jining. Especially in summer, with the pond full of white lotuses, their fragrant scent filled the air, and the fresh, pristine atmosphere brought peace and joy to all. The “Nanchi Lotus Purity” landscape originates from this scene. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Nanchi underwent large-scale renovations, not only offering pleasant scenery but also featuring pavilions rising up, winding railings and corridors, flourishing flowers and trees, and interwoven pines and bamboos. There were four islands in the pond: Queen Mother’s Pavilion Island, North Altar Island, South Altar Island, and Central Pond Island. Structures on the islands included the Queen Mother’s Pavilion, Jade Emperor Temple, as well as the Zhiying Pavilion, Gentleman’s Pavilion, Lotus Viewing Pavilion, and Wave-Watching Pavilion. Poets and celebrities from various dynasties frequently gathered here to compose poetry and inscriptions. In the 25th year of the Kaiyuan era of the Tang Dynasty (737 AD), the great poet Du Fu visited Nanchi with Magistrate Xu of Rencheng and left behind a famous poem.

　　Emperors Kangxi and Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty also visited Nanchi during their southern tours, stopping in Jining. Emperor Kangxi personally inscribed the name “Queen Mother’s Pavilion,” while Emperor Qianlong inscribed a poem by Du Fu about his visit to Nanchi.

　　After the construction of the Queen Mother’s Pavilion, it attracted countless worshippers. Every year on the third day of the third lunar month, the Peach Blossom Festival drew people from nearby regions within a radius of over a hundred li. Nanchi was especially bustling with incense smoke, bright lights, and crowds. In 1928, the Queen Mother’s Pavilion unfortunately was destroyed in the flames of war during the Northern Expedition. In August 1958, the Jining Municipal Government decided to build a fish hatchery in Nanchi, digging ponds for fish farming, planting lotuses, and cultivating cattails. Now, the Jining Municipal Government has decided to rebuild and expand the Queen Mother’s Pavilion Park, and the restoration of the “Nanchi Lotus Purity” view is nearing completion.

　　Address: Intersection of Longxing Road and Wangmugui Road, Jining City

　　Business Hours: All day

　　Suggested Visit Duration: About 2 hours

　　Price Description: Free admission

　　Featured Attraction: Wild ducks playing on the lake

　　Suggested Tour Route: North Gate — Zi Yun Bridge — Ancient Nanchi Bridge — Ancient Nanchi Archway — Evening Cool Pavilion — Evening Cool Bridge — Shaoling Shrine, Stele Corridor, Celebrity Memorial Hall — South Gate — Classical Style Street — Love Museum — Nine Dragons Cascading Waters Bridge — Tianque Bridge — North Gate

　　Visitor Service Center: Located at the North Gate, providing guided tour services and complaint handling

　　Public Transport:

　　Take bus lines 6, 8, 25, 28, 31, or 102 to Wangmugui Station to arrive.

　　Self-driving Guide:

　　From the Jining Exit at the intersection of Rizhao-Dongying Expressway and Gongjian Road — travel 1.3 km via the Jining North Interchange — turn right onto G105 and drive 10.4 km — turn left onto S338 and drive 3.1 km, then turn right — drive 4 km along Guhuai Road — arrive at Nanchi Scenic Area. The drive takes about 30 minutes after exiting the highway.

　　Parking Information:

　　There is a dedicated parking lot at the entrance to the scenic area.

　　Source: Shandong Provincial Tourism Development Commission