High-speed train from Beijing in 2 hours! This northern water town has more spring charm and poetic beauty than Suzhou and Hangzhou

We always thought the beauty of Jiangnan was in Suzhou and Hangzhou, until we met Mingshui Ancient City in Zhangqiu, Jinan — here there is no exhausting long journey, but there are gray bricks and black tiles, small bridges and flowing water, and clear springs everywhere, as if the poems of Li Qingzhao have come to life. Spend 2 days and 1 night on the weekend with family or friends for a mini vacation, leisurely and healing!

📍 Basic Information: Fast arrival without detours

- Address: Mingshui Ancient City, Zhangqiu District, Jinan City, Shandong Province
- Transportation:
- High-speed train: Direct from Beijing to Zhangqiu Station in 2 hours, 10-minute taxi ride to the ancient city from the station
- Self-driving: About 4 hours from Beijing, convenient parking

🗓️ 2-day itinerary: Enjoy springs by day, chase performances by night

Day 1: Immersive ancient city tour, unlock the night charm

Check in at noon (accommodations available inside and outside the ancient city, shuttle service available) → Eat local food on Fuqian Street → Watch a performance at Mengjia Opera House → Visit Li Qingzhao’s Former Residence (check in at Meihua Spring and Shuyu Spring) → Longquan Temple (enjoy Mo Spring and Baimai Spring, experience tea brewing around the stove) → Intangible cultural heritage water drifting performance → Dinner at a roast meat restaurant → Spring show → Drone show → Stroll along the city wall to enjoy the night view

Day 2: Savor the local life slowly, return full of memories

Early morning wine market (before 9 AM! Eat Longshan breakfast, watch opera) → Check in at the flower cloth drying area in the cloth workshop → Visit Fox Immortal Residence for unique scenes → Take photos of the water town scenery on Beihe Street → Shop at Mingshui Street → Ride a rowboat through the ancient city → Have lunch and then return

📸 Must-shoot spots: Capture the most beautiful moments of the ancient city

- Beihe Street: The most Jiangnan-like place, flowing water reflecting ancient buildings, every shot is wallpaper-worthy
- Fuqian Street: Lotus pond + schools of koi fish are very lively, the early wine market is also here, full of local life atmosphere
- Inside the cloth workshop courtyard: High-hanging flower cloths fluttering in the wind, full of ancient style ambiance
- Longquan Temple: Red walls with Zhuoying Pavilion, very Zen, great for ancient style photos
- Li Qingzhao’s Former Residence: The stone bridge beside Meihua Spring is a must-shoot, aerial shots can capture all five spring eyes
- Mo Spring: When the spring water is abundant, the spring eyes are spectacular; shoot tea brewing around the stove with red walls as background for a relaxed vibe

👍 Must-experience activities: Missing them means missing out

- Early wine market: Authentic Longshan breakfast + opera performance, let your parents experience the lively northern morning market
- Intangible cultural heritage bamboo drifting: Like a martial arts scene come to life, the performance on the water is very lively, a must-see with kids
- Yi’an Poetry Gathering: Watch the spring gush by day, immerse in poetry with NPCs at night, full of cultural atmosphere
- Spring show: The highlight of the ancient city’s nightlife! Lighting, spring water, and performances combined, stunning and impressive
- Drone show: Romantic shapes formed by drones in the sky, perfect for making wishes with family and friends
- Intangible cultural heritage iron flower beating: Sparks fall like stars, watching live is more shocking than videos
- Rowboat ride: Glide through the ancient city waterways on a boat, enjoy a moment of peace, the breeze feels great

⚠️ Practical Tips: Make your trip smoother

1. Wear flat shoes! The ancient city is large, your feet will get tired after a day of walking
2. For beautiful photos, it’s recommended to wear ancient-style clothing; there are costume rental shops inside the ancient city
3. If you have a lot of luggage, you can store it at the tourist center for a lighter trip
4. Some performances (like the spring show and iron flower beating) have fixed times, ask staff in advance to avoid missing them