Geographic coordinates: E117°00′   N36°40′

Population: 6.58 m (2008)

Area: 3176.4 sq mi

Average altitude: 187 ft

Average temperature: 57.7 ℉

Annual rainfall: 26 in

IDD: 86 – 0531

Jinan is the capital of Shandong Province and known as “the City of Springs', due to its rich springs resources. It stands in the west of the province.

Jinan is a historical city with a history of some 2,000 years and is famed for its numerous relics. It is the cradle of the Longshan Relics Culture, the reputed prehistoric culture of China and is found in Longshan Town of Jinan, hence the name. In the area of Jinan, you will find far more than you would expect, the ancient Great Wall of the Qi State (a state of the Zhou Dynasty, 770 B.C.–221 B.C.), the colored sculptures of the Song Dynasty (960-1279) in the Lingyan Temple and so on.

The unique tourist souvenirs available in Jinan include Ejiao, Black Pottery, Lu Embroidery and Wooden-Fish wares. It is the right place to see some traditional festivals including the Lantern Festival in the Baotu Spring Park, the Lotus Festival in the Daming Lake Park and the Double-Nine Festival on the Thousand-Buddha Mountain.

Jinan is a hospitable city and receives tourists from all over the world. Marco Polo once visited Jinan and left words of praise to this city. The Baotu Spring, Daming Lake and the Thousand Buddha Mountain decorate Jinan as a Garden City.

Compared with those capital cities, or other large and medium-size cities in China, Jinan has few advantages and lacks a metropolitan atmosphere, the highlight being its numerous springs. Some people say Jinan's glamour is not merely its enticing natural beauty, but more the warmth of the Jinan people. The beauty of nature is thin and weak, but the beauty that comes from people will last forever. 

Attractions

Baotu Spring Park   Daming Lake Park   Shandong Provincial Museum   Thousand Buddha Mountain