The Revival of the "Spring City" from Lao Can's Travels — Jinan’s Old Streets

By MOOK Travel Life Network, Li Xinyi | Compiled and Reported | Source: Moleskine Editorial Department

Jinan’s old districts still retain a strong sense of ancient charm, covering over forty historic streets and alleys north of Quancheng Road, including Pearl Spring, Furong Street, Wangfu Pond, Qushuiting Street, and Shunjing Street. Qing Dynasty writer Liu E mentioned in *Lao Can’s Travels* that “every household has a spring, every home is shaded by willows,” referring to the scenery here. At that time, Jinan had an abundance of springs, with water overflowing onto the bluestone-paved streets. A local saying goes, “Lift the iron grating, and you won’t need to worry about washing clothes,” meaning that one could simply lift the iron grates on the road to access spring water for laundry.

Today, residents of the old districts still live a simple life as in the past, washing clothes by the river and swimming in Wangfu Pond. Wangfu Pond was once part of the De Wang Mansion, which was off-limits to ordinary residents. During the Qing Dynasty, the De Wang Mansion served as the governor’s office, and now it houses the Provincial People’s Congress. Nearby, the Confucius Temple, also rich in history, stands adjacent to the Shandong Gongyuan (Imperial Examination Hall), where examinees once stayed. Only those who passed the exams and had their names on the golden list were allowed to cross the Pan Shui Bridge in front of the temple.

Every evening, Qushuiting Street attracts many tourists, especially foreigners, who enjoy lamb skewers and a cold beer by the stream—it’s a delightful experience. Furong Street, meanwhile, was the most prosperous area during the Republican era, bustling with bookstores, fabric shops, dental clinics, photography studios, and renowned restaurants. Though the area now exudes a deep historical charm, traces of its former vibrancy remain, making it a popular spot for tourists to dine.

● Read More: Travel Apps Are All the Rage—Get All Your Festival & Performance Info in One Place

http://goo.gl/y4TO3