2000 RMB Budget for a 3-Day, 2-Night Essential Trip to Jinan

Jinan is definitely a treasure city nourished by spring water, both ancient and vibrant. With a budget of 💰2000 RMB for 3 days and 2 nights, you can not only see the amazing sights of “springs at every home, willows at every door,” but also taste authentic Shandong cuisine. I have carefully designed this guide focusing on “spring water culture + slow life in the old city” to make your spending worthwhile and your experience fulfilling.✨

🧳 Preparation and Budget Planning

· Best travel time: September to November is the golden travel season in Jinan. The rainy season has just passed, and springs like Baotu Spring are at their most vigorous, with crisp autumn weather perfect for sightseeing.
· Accommodation choice: It is recommended to choose budget hotels or homestays near Spring City Square or Daming Lake. These two areas are the core tourist zones of Jinan, within walking distance to major attractions like Baotu Spring and Black Tiger Spring, saving you a lot of transportation time and costs.
· Budget planning: Your 2000 RMB budget is quite ample. Below is a clear budget allocation table for an overview of your expenses:

Category Budget (RMB) Notes
Accommodation 520 Two nights at budget hotels near Spring City Square or Daming Lake.
Attraction Tickets 110 Mainly includes tickets for Baotu Spring, Qianfoshan, and Baimai Spring Park (optional).
Meals 300 Enough to try specialties like braised pork, sweet soup, and fried dough twists, plus regular meals.
Local Transport 80 Includes subway, bus, and some emergency taxi fares.
Contingency 990 For emergencies, souvenirs (like Pingyin rose tea, spring water tea), or upgraded experiences.
Total 2000 Actual basic expenses about 1010 RMB, leaving ample contingency funds.

The above budget does not include your round-trip transportation costs to and from Jinan.

🗺️ Detailed Itinerary

💦 Day 1: First Impressions of the Spring City · Lake and Spring Night

· Morning: Arrive in Jinan, check into hotel
· Upon arrival, it is recommended to choose Jinan Station as it is closer to the city center. Take the subway or a taxi (about 20 RMB) to the hotel, drop off your luggage, and set out light.
· Afternoon: Baotu Spring + Five Dragon Pool
· Head to the “Number One Spring Under Heaven” — Baotu Spring Park (ticket 40 RMB). Enter from the east gate and head straight to Guanlan Pavilion to admire the spectacular “three streams” gushing out. Then visit the Li Qingzhao Memorial Hall inside the park to feel the poetic charm of this talented female poet.
· From Baotu Spring’s north gate, it’s about a 5-minute walk to Five Dragon Pool Park (free). The spring pools are clear, with many koi swimming, and the environment is very tranquil—a great place to relax.
· Evening: Spring City Square + Daming Lake Night View
· At dusk, check in at the landmark “Golden Lotus” spring marker in Spring City Square.
· Then walk to Daming Lake Scenic Area (free entry). Don’t miss the lighting ceremony at Chao Ran Tower (usually around 7:00 PM), when the tower lights up spectacularly, known as the “Number One Tower North of the Yangtze.”
· Dinner can be at Kuanhouli or Furong Street. At Kuanhouli, try braised pork and Huang’s barbecue; for a more local vibe, head to Furong Street but explore the alleys to find small stalls frequented by locals for more authentic flavors.

🏞️ Day 2: Climb High and Look Far · Slow Life in the Old City

· Morning: Climb Qianfoshan
· For breakfast, try sugar-coated fried dough sticks with sweet soup at Sun’s Sugar Fried Dough Sticks, a Jinan specialty breakfast combo, about 5 RMB to fill you up.
· Then take bus B66 directly to Qianfoshan (ticket 30 RMB). This is the natural northern barrier of Jinan; the climb to the top takes about an hour. From the summit, you can overlook the entire city and see the Yellow River in the distance with a very broad view.
· Afternoon: Black Tiger Spring + Liberation Pavilion + Qushuiting Street
· For lunch, try Caobao Baozi Shop (Puli Street branch), a long-established Jinan eatery. Try their steamed buns and sweet and sour carp, about 40 RMB per person.
· After lunch, visit Black Tiger Spring (free). This place is full of local life; you can see many locals carrying buckets to fetch water. Remember to bring an empty bottle to experience drinking spring water directly (boil before drinking is recommended).
· Next, visit the nearby Liberation Pavilion (free to view outside) to learn about the history of the Jinan Campaign.
· At dusk, stroll to Qushuiting Street to experience the “springs at every home, willows at every door” ambiance. Spend 10 RMB to drink a bowl of big bowl tea or buy a uniquely shaped intangible cultural heritage sour dip skewer—very pleasant.
· Evening: Furong Street Night Market
· Have dinner at Furong Street Night Market. Try Youxuan Zhang’s fried dough twists, Tianmo Tang’s sweet soup, and spring water tofu pudding, budget about 60 RMB.

🌿 Day 3: Flexible Choice · Cultural or Nature Tour

Option A: Zhangqiu · Baimai Spring Park (Culture and Nature)

· Take a high-speed train from Jinan Station to Zhangqiu (about 15 minutes, ticket 11 RMB), then taxi or bus to Baimai Spring Park (ticket 40 RMB). This park also has dense springs and you can check in at Li Qingzhao’s former residence.
· Return to downtown Jinan for lunch and enjoy authentic Shandong cuisine, such as at Jinchunxi (Shimao branch) to try milk soup with cattail (a Jinan specialty soup) and hairtail fish dumplings, about 60 RMB per person.
· In the afternoon, depending on your departure time, buy some local specialties like Pingyin rose tea and sugar crisp pancakes, then head to the station to end your pleasant trip.

Option B: Shandong Museum & Art Museum (Cultural and Art)

· In the morning, visit Shandong Museum (free, reservation required). This is a national first-class museum with rich collections to learn about Shandong’s history and culture.
· Opposite the museum is the Shandong Art Museum (free). If interested in art, you can visit it as well.
· Have lunch in the nearby commercial area.
· In the afternoon, visit Jinan’s old commercial port area, a popular spot for artistic photos with many century-old European-style buildings and interesting check-in points.
· Then end your trip and prepare for departure.

💡 Helpful Tips (Avoid Pitfalls)

1. Transportation:
· Jinan’s attractions are very concentrated; walking and biking are the best ways to explore the old city.
· Make good use of buses and download the “369 Travel” app for QR code rides. Bus K41 is a treasure route connecting Baotu Spring, Five Dragon Pool, Daming Lake, and many core attractions, with a full fare of only 2 RMB—efficient and economical.
2. Ticket Reservations: Free venues like Shandong Museum require reservations; check official info and book in advance.
3. Food Exploration:
· Direct spring water drinking points: Black Tiger Spring and Pipa Spring have direct drinking points; bring a water cup to try.
· For more authentic Jinan food, ask locals; they will recommend reasonably priced, authentic small eateries.
4. Itinerary Optimization:
· Start early: For popular spots like Baotu Spring, try to enter right at opening to avoid crowds and have a better experience.
· Comfortable gear: Jinan’s old city has many bluestone roads and involves a lot of walking daily, so a pair of comfortable shoes is essential.

I hope this detailed guide helps you fully enjoy a wonderful Jinan holiday! If you have a stronger interest in specific history, culture, or certain foods, I can help you fine-tune the itinerary. Have a great trip!