The Secret Garden of Spring City

As the "Back Garden of Spring City," the southern mountainous area of Jinan combines hidden mountain and water wonders, historical sites, and pastoral charm, making it an excellent destination for summer retreats, family trips, and leisure. The following guide is compiled based on real visitor experiences and seasonal features to help you plan your trip efficiently:

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🌄 **1. Must-Visit Attractions**
**1. Jiuru Mountain Waterfall Group**
- **Highlights**: A 10-kilometer wooden plank walkway connects 36 spring pools and 18 waterfalls, with an average summer temperature of 25°C; the arts and culture town offers hands-on activities like sachet making and leather DIY.
- **Tickets**: Adults 98 RMB (includes Secret Garden Castle), couple package 278 RMB (includes crafts + afternoon tea).
- **Unique Stays**: Hongyanrong Barrel Hotel (suspended over the lake), starry sky tents (around 500 RMB per person+), including breakfast and tickets.
- **Tips**: In autumn, red maples and ice waterfalls alternate; you can enter repeatedly within 3 days; lifetime park owner cards for unlimited entry are recommended.

**2. Red Leaf Valley**
- **Best Season**: Mid-October to early November, 4,000 acres of yellow lacquer trees turn vibrant.
- **Activities**: Climb Wanye Tower for panoramic views, take photos of "water-reflected red leaves" in Lover’s Valley; family-friendly peacock and swan interactions.
- **Tickets**: 100 RMB; high photo success rate in Hanfu (traditional clothing).

**3. Water Curtain Gorge Scenic Area**
- **Adventure Experience**: Qilu’s first glass bridge (200 meters long / 160 meters drop), 3 km canyon rafting (top choice for summer cooling).
- **Tickets**: 90 RMB; combo ticket (rafting + glass bridge) 180 RMB.
- **Tips**: The "Water Curtain Cave" limestone cave is warm in winter and cool in summer, perfect for escaping the heat.

**4. Free Secret Spots**
- **Huangchao Reservoir**: Free "Little Huangguoshu" waterfall, with powerful water flow after rain, ideal for shallow water play and camping under the stars.
- **Tianlian Mountain**: In April, a thousand-acre forsythia flower sea looks like a golden waterfall; the Yangjiazhai ruins on the summit offer panoramic views.
- **Xidongjia Village, Yufu River**: Jinan’s version of "Little Guilin," with 20cm shallow water perfect for family water play and free camping.

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🎪 **2. Special Experiences and Seasonal Highlights**
**1. Family Fun**
- **Jiuding Tower Ethnic Style Park**: Live performances from 16 ethnic villages ("Tunnel Warfare"), 300-meter glass slide, tickets 120 RMB.
- **Cherry Picking** (May-June): Liubu’s 10,000-acre cherry orchard (Hongdeng, Meizao varieties), drive to Wangjiayu Village, bus 815 direct access.

**2. Summer Cooling and Night Tours**
- **Forest Camping**:
- **Jiuru Mountain Wild Luxury Camp**: Lakeside concerts + outdoor movies, tents with private bathrooms (around 400 RMB per person+).
- **Qixingtai Stargazing**: One of the world’s top ten most beautiful starry skies, starlight camp tents 599 RMB/night (with air conditioning).
- **Jinxiang Mountain Water Park**: Rainbow slides + water activities, general admission 120 RMB, night sessions open until 9 PM.

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🚗 **3. Route Planning (Flexible Combination Based on Time)**
**Classic 2-Day Tour**
- **Day 1**:
- Morning: Jiuru Mountain (waterfall hiking + craft experience) → Afternoon: Red Leaf Valley (autumn foliage / summer cooling)
- Dinner: Qishe Homestay’s spring water tofu + fried lotus.
- Accommodation: Jiuru Mountain Barrel Hotel or camping.
- **Day 2**:
- Morning: Water Curtain Gorge (glass bridge + rafting) → Afternoon: Huangchao Reservoir (free water play + waterfall check-in).

**1-Day Family Trip**
- Morning: Jiuding Tower (ethnic performance + glass slide) → Afternoon: Yufu River shallow water camping / Jinxiang Mountain Park.

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🍜 **4. Authentic Food and Accommodation**
**Must-Try Foods**
- **Nanshan Fried Chicken**: Freshly slaughtered native chicken with thin pancakes, most authentic at "Old Dong’s Restaurant."
- **Spring Water Tofu**: Stone-milled, dipped in chive flower sauce, available at Simen Tower farmhouse.
- **Snacks**: Zhonggong Market’s sugar-crisp fire cakes (5 RMB each), wild vegetable buns, sour dipping sauce (hawthorn stuffed with jujube paste).

**Accommodation Recommendations**
- **High-End**: Jiuru Mountain Buer Wood Residence (Nordic wooden house, 1280 RMB+/night), Bashuquan Kuolu (Jinan’s highest-altitude homestay).
- **Cost-Effective**: Ruogu Mountain Residence (glass starry sky room 500 RMB+/night), Yinquan Courtyard (includes hot spring bath).

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⚠️ **5. Practical Tips**
1. **Transportation**:
- Self-driving is best (1 hour from downtown), bus 88 to Zhonggong then transfer to 812/815 (infrequent, check schedules).
- Huangchao Reservoir road is narrow, daytime driving recommended; Yufu River parking is tight (arrive before 10 AM).
2. **Ticket Discounts**: Half price for seniors 60+ and students, free for children under 1.2 meters; popular spots (Jiuru Mountain, Red Leaf Valley) require booking one day in advance.
3. **Avoid Pitfalls**:
- Summer mosquito and sun protection! Large temperature difference in mountains, bring windproof jacket (night temperature ≤15°C).
- Weekend crowding at attractions, start before 7 AM; farmhouse prices are transparent, but dining inside scenic areas is expensive and average in taste.
4. **Environmental Protection**: "Leave no trace" camping promoted throughout, bring your own trash bags, disposable tableware prohibited.

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💎 **Summary**
> **"The beauty of the southern mountains is the handcrafted moments under Jiuru Mountain waterfalls, the refreshing splashes at Huangchao Reservoir, and the Milky Way falling inside the starry sky tents."**
- **Budget Reference**: Economy 200-300 RMB/day, comfortable 500-800 RMB/day (including homestay + specialty meals).
- **Best Seasons**:
- Summer cooling (June-August): waterfall rafting + starry camping;
- Autumn foliage (October-November): Red Leaf Valley + Jiuru Mountain maple views;
- Spring cherry picking (May): Liubu Cherry Orchard.

Take this guide, go to the southern mountains to listen to springs, stargaze, and trace streams, and experience Jinan’s 25°C summer! 🌿🏞️