The Jade Belt of the Thousand-Year-Old Spring City

In the heart of Jinan's old city flows a unique river—the Moat. It is the only moat in the country formed entirely by spring water, established during the Han Dynasty and shaped in the Yuan Dynasty. The 6.9-kilometer river winds around the old city like a jade belt, linking the essence of Baotu Spring, Daming Lake, Heihu Spring, and other scenic spots like pearls on a string. It holds the bustling life of "springs at every home, willows at every door" and preserves the thousand-year memory of Jinan's famous scholars.

• 🚌 Transportation Guide: Take Metro Line 2 to "Furong Square Station" and walk to the Quancheng Square section; Line 3 "Jiefang Pavilion Station" is near Heihu Spring; Bus routes 101 and 103 reach the north gate of Baotu Spring, and K11 goes directly to Heihu Spring Pier.

• 🕐 Opening Information: The river and its greenway along the banks are open free all day. Boat tours run daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and at night from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM (seasonal adjustments apply). Night tours with performances are in trial operation and continuously improving.

• 📝 Friendly Reminders: Early autumn mornings and evenings can be slightly cool, so bring a light jacket; be cautious when collecting water at Heihu Spring and follow the principle of "take only what you need, waste nothing"; for night tours, it is recommended to arrive at the pier 10 minutes early to wait for the boat, and performances can also be enjoyed from the shore.

This moat, flowing with spring water and stories, is the soul of Jinan. Whether walking to find springs, enjoying the scenery by boat, or experiencing the lively local life on the banks, you can understand the city's romance of "born from springs, thriving by water."

Post by LYRIC AVILA | Oct 19, 2025