大明湖 — Attraction in Jinan

Daming Lake is one of the three most famous scenic spots in Jinan (the other two are: Baotu Spring and Qianfo Mountain), and is a must-visit place in Jinan. The beautiful scenery of Daming Lake has been praised by many literati since ancient times. The famous line in the Qiong Yao drama "My Princess", "Your Majesty, do you still remember Xia Yuhe on the shore of Daming Lake eighteen years ago?" makes Daming Lake a place for romantic encounters.

It happened to be winter when I went there mid Jan and there was also a cold front at that time. It can be concluded that Daming Lake will be more beautiful in summer with the lotus flower blooming. Even in winter, you can still feel that beauty.

It takes about an hour to go around the entire Daming Lake. If you want to take photos and look at stuff in detail, it will take longer. Exiting from the South gate 2, there is an old Jinan specialty store where you can browse, and it has a wide...

In the secret heart of Jinan, Daming Lake lies in wait, A veiled beauty, shimmering like a mirage on a summer's day. Her waters, a canvas of silk, reflecting the cerulean sky, A perfect symmetry of light and shadow, where the soul can wander and sigh.

The ancient trees, like sentinels of time, stand guard along her shores, Their gnarled branches, a testament to the passing of the seasons' scores. In spring, the blossoms dance, a whimsical waltz of pink and white, Summer's verdant canopy, a shelter from the sun's fiery light.

And when the autumn winds arrive, the leaves, like golden crowns, are blown, Winter's snowflakes, delicate as a lover's kiss, gently fall, and all is made anew. Daming Lake, a gemstone, polished by the whispers of the past, A sanctuary, where the heart can find solace, and the spirit,...

The points of interest in Jinan were something I learned about in Chinese literature in my primary school days in the early 1960s. Daming Lake was ranked number one. My first time in Jinan was in August, 1996 and I should have visited the Lake. My memory of the Lake was reinforced when I visited it again in April, 2016, as evidenced...