Pure pleasure

They call Jinan the "City of Springs" because 645 of them pour into a moat surrounding the capital of Shandong province.

Here you can take a boat trip to Daming Lake and on the way enjoy a number of scenic spots.

The springs produce 300,000 cu m of water daily, filling the 5.5 km waterway that runs along the west side of Jinan, into the lake, the world's largest natural reservoir within a city.

Black Tiger Spring, named for its deafening roar, originates from a 3-m deep and 1.7-m wide cave and spews water out of three tiger-head shaped stones. Local residents get their supply of potable water from here.

"It's so pure," says Zhao Yun, who has carried water home from the spring every day since he retired.

Close by, Fairy Spring got its name from a folk tale about nine fairies so enamored by the spring they never wanted to leave. Thousands of tiny bubbles rise from the bottom of the spring, spreading out in expansive ripples on the surface.

From the boat, shoals of fish can be seen in the clear water, fringed by willows, while the tea served on board is boiled with spring water.

"The springs add to Jinan's charm," says Kenzo Maruki, a Japanese tourist.

Construction of the waterway began in late 2007.

"Two years' efforts have paid off. The water around the city is clear, the river banks are carpeted with green plants and Daming Lake has been expanded," says Han Xiaoguang, director of Jinan Landscape Bureau.

At the Square of the Spring City, locals fly kites and feed pigeons as couples sit under the willows, talking and smiling.

Opposite, there is Baotu Spring Park, which has a recorded history of 3,543 years. Poets since the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907) have been inspired by it, including Jinan-born Li Qingzhao of the Song Dynasty (960-1279).

Its purity and a constant temperature of 18 C inspired Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) to call it "the crown of springs" and there is a stone tablet that bears witness to this.

There are many forms of entertainment at the park every evening, especially in the summer when there is always a cool breeze.

The 84-year-old Yan Gan, who has lived in Jinan for more than 60 years, says he loves the springs and has held an exhibition of his photographs that record how Baotu Spring changes according to the season.

There is also an island in Daming Lake that is worth visiting for its ancient ruins, 30 temples, pavilions and bridges.

A boat ride back to Jinan's old lanes takes just one hour and here you can check out snack foods, washed down with green tea or beer made from the spring water.

Last month, Baotu Spring Park was confirmed as a National Key Park by the central government.