Jinan: Baotu Spring, Daming Lake and Thousand Buddha Hill
One spring, one lake, one hill — the three words that describe the city
Photos: Ermell (CC BY-SA 4.0) · HMGiovanniV (CC BY-SA 4.0) — via Wikimedia Commons
The honest version
What the day is actually likeNine hours at street level in a city built around water: two spring parks, a lake with a boat, and a hill for the view at the end. Almost no driving.
Good for
- A gentle day between trains
- Anyone who likes old-city walking
Skip it if
Come between July and September if the springs are the reason. In a dry spring Baotu is a pond with a ripple.
The three sights are all inside the old city — people book cars they do not need and then walk anyway.
Where the day starts and ends
All times are departureJinan West Railway Station or hotels inside the Second Ring Road
The day, to the minute
7 stopsThe springs are seasonal: spectacular after the July–September rains, barely bubbling in a dry spring.
Pick-up at Jinan West or your hotelPick-up
Baotu SpringSight
Three jets that have not stopped in living memory
Five Dragon PoolSight
One wall away, quieter, clearer
Furong streetMeal
Own expense — sweet porridge, oil twists, braised pork
Daming LakeSight
Boat included; Lixia Pavilion and the Chaoran tower
Thousand Buddha HillSight
Sui-dynasty carvings and the city from above
Back to your hotel or the stationReturn
In and out
Per routeWhat is included
- Baotu Spring admission (about ¥40)
- Daming Lake boat (about ¥30)
- Thousand Buddha Hill admission (about ¥30)
- Car and driver for the day
Not included
- Lunch and dinner
- Chaoran tower climb (about ¥40, optional)
- Guide gratuities
- Come in the wet season if the springs are the reason. In a dry spring you get a pond with a ripple in it.
- Daming Lake has a free half and a paid half. The Chaoran tower is in the paid half and charges separately to climb.
- The last stretch up Thousand Buddha Hill is steep; there is a chairlift (about ¥25 one way).
About 6 km and mostly flat until the hill; the springs and lake are easy with children.
Quick answers
Prices, hours and what is includedHow much does a day trip from Jinan to Daming Lake and Thousand Buddha Hi cost?
$66 per person on the group tour, or from $256 per vehicle for a private car with driver and guide. The group price includes the driver, guide and admission; the private price is for the whole vehicle, whatever the party size.
How long is the day?
It runs 08:30 to 17:30 — about 9 hours from pick-up to drop-off, including the drive. If you are catching a train or flight the same evening, book it for after 19:00.
Where does it start?
Jinan West Railway Station. Your driver and guide meet you there; the exact spot is confirmed the day before travel.
What is included in the price?
Baotu Spring admission (about ¥40); Daming Lake boat (about ¥30); Thousand Buddha Hill admission (about ¥30).
What is not included?
Lunch and dinner; Chaoran tower climb (about ¥40, optional).
How far ahead should I book?
Two days. We do not accept same-day or next-day bookings because the car, guide and admission have to be arranged in advance. Cancellation is free up to 7 days before the tour; inside that it steps to 20% (6–3 days) and 60% (2–1 days), and nothing is refunded on the day itself.
