[Shandong's "Jiangnan of the North"! This Underrated Ancient City Holds Li Qingzhao's Poetic Charm]

Who says Jiangnan is only in the Wu and Yue regions? The land of Qilu secretly hides a "true Jiangnan"—Mingshui Ancient City! Here, springs gush into rivers, boats travel through the waterways, ancient buildings are reflected in the clear waves during the day, and poetry and wine illuminate the starry sky at night. Even Li Qingzhao once wrote here, "When the fun was over, I turned the boat late, and mistakenly entered the depths of the lotus flowers." Follow this guide to unlock the gentleness and boldness of this northern water town in a 2-day, 1-night trip. 📍[Coordinates & Transportation] High-speed train in 1 hour, even more niche than Jinan! 🚄 Take the high-speed train to "Zhangqiu Station" and take a taxi for 10 minutes (about CNY 20). 🚗 Drive to "Mingshui Ancient City" via GPS navigation. There are plenty of parking lot. It is 1.5 hours from Jinan and 3 hours from Qingdao. 📜[2-Day, 1-Night Immersive Route] Stroll through the spring alleys during the day and watch fireworks at night. 📅 Day 1: Ancient Charm Roaming · Encountering the Soul of Poetry 9:30 Stroll along Mingshui Avenue (bluestone roads + white walls and black tiles, as if traveling through the Ming and Qing Dynasties) → 11:00 Listen to music at Mengjia Opera House (enjoy tea around the stove on the second floor, watch Peking Opera/Shandong Kuaishu, and take photos of the carved beams and painted pillars to create wallpapers) → 15:00 Li Qingzhao's Former Residence (read A Slow, Slow Tune by the Shuyu Spring, the gurgling spring water is like the tones in her writing, an essential "poetry closed loop" experience for education enthusiasts) → 19:00 Spring Show Performance (sound, light, electricity + drone show, flying phoenixes pass over Wanquan Lake, fireworks reflect the ancient city walls, a visual feast!) → 21:00 Night Tour of the City Walls (when the lanterns light up, the stone roads glow with warmth. It is recommended to wear Hanfu and take back view photos to enhance the atmosphere) 📅 Day 2: Fireworks, Street Life · Spring Rural Fun 7:30 Sweep the streets of the Early Wine Market (the lively atmosphere of Shandong Grand Market! Drink a bowl of spring water mutton soup, paired with a clay oven baked sesame seed cake, watch the old men sit on small stools and drink early wine, so down-to-earth that you want to settle down here) → 9:00 Explore the Baimai Spring Complex (one of the five major spring complexes in Jinan! Plum Blossom Spring gushes like pearls, Ink Spring is as dark as satin, the spring is full of negative oxygen ions, take a sip of spring water, clear, sweet and refreshing) → 14:00 Lotus Banquet Wharf Boat Trip (CNY 30/person, sail through the bridge holes, watch the weeping willows on both sides caress the water, northerners can also experience the Jiangnan romance of selling flowers on the bow of the boat) → 16:00 Yi'an Poetry Meeting (wear Hanfu to recite poetry, play Pitch-pot, write on a round fan, instantly immerse yourself in the elegant gathering of ancient literati, social butterflies, go for it!) → 19:30 Trees of Silver Flowers Iron Fireworks (the ceiling of intangible cultural heritage performances! Iron flowers splash from the old locust tree, like stars falling into the world, remember to stand further away, hot sparks will float over~) 🌟[7 Must-Visit Highlights] Photo Opportunities + Epic Experiences ❶ Li Qingzhao's Former Residence · Poetry Comes to Life ✔️ Shuyu Spring, Zhi Fou Pavilion, and Guilai Hall restore the life of the poet. It is recommended to bring a copy of Shuyu Lyrics to read by the spring and take comparison photos of "scenes in the book vs. reality". ❷ Baimai Spring Complex · The Hidden Corner of Spring City ✔️ Less crowded and more beautiful than Baotu Spring! The five petals of Plum Blossom Spring splash, suitable for slow shutter to capture "spring water blooming"; Ink Spring is as quiet as black jade, and the reflection of the white wall is super artistic ❸ Mengjia Opera House · Enjoy Tea and Opera around the Stove ✔️ The window seat on the second floor is the best. Order a pot of Mingshui Xiangdao tea, with a dish of Zhoucun sesame seed cake, watch the female lead on the stage wave her water sleeves, the time is as slow as a poem ❹ Spring Show Performance · The Ancient City's Nighttime Surprise ✔️ The best spot is on Furong Bridge or the lakeside boardwalk. When the drone spells out "Li Qingzhao's Lyrics", remember to turn on portrait mode, the light and shadow on your face are super gentle ❺ Trees of Silver Flowers · Intangible Cultural Heritage Iron Fireworks ✔️ Starts at 19:30 every day (subject to scenic spot announcement), the iron fireworks last for 10 minutes. It is recommended to wear dark clothes and take "silhouette under the fire rain", the shock is comparable to The Longest Day In Chang'an ❻ Early Wine Market · Shandong People's Breakfast Scene ✔️ Must-eat: Spring Water Mutton Soup (CNY 15/bowl, the soup is milky white and has no mutton smell), pot stickers (crispy bottom and juicy, with vinegar and garlic is amazing), feel the local life of "breakfast with wine, the more you drink, the more you have" ❼ Boat Trip Experience · The Correct Way to Open the Northern Water Town ✔️ Choose the 4 pm shift, the sun is slanting and not dazzling, the boatman will sing Shandong ditties, remember to look up when rowing to Xiujiang Bridge, the blue sky and white clouds + ancient buildings framed by the bridge hole are definitely a Jiangnan postcard 🏨[Accommodation Recommendations] Stay in the Ancient City! Unlock the Morning Mist and Lights It is recommended to stay in "Ancient City Homestay" or "Li Qingzhao Theme Hotel", with an average price of CNY 500-800/night (including double breakfast + boat ticket) ✔️ Advantages: There is no one in the ancient city at 7 am, the stone road is wet with morning dew, taking empty shots is like a ink painting; after watching the performance at night, go directly back to the room without having to rush for the bus ✔️ Tips: Book 2 weeks in advance during peak season (June-October), some homestays offer free Hanfu rental (deposit CNY 200) 📸[Hanfu Photo Guide] 3 Epic Spots 1. Li Qingzhao's Former Residence Cloister (white walls and gray tiles + spring water reflection, leaning on the railing and looking at the spring, with its own "Zhi Fou Zhi Fou" atmosphere) 2. Under the Willow Tree by Baimai Spring (wear light cyan Hanfu, hold a round fan, take a side view of "combing hair by the spring", the hair is super fairy through the light) 3. Ancient City Wall Beacon Tower (climb the building at dusk, the setting sun shines on the red wall, take a back view of "leaning against the wall and looking into the distance", the skirt flutters in the wind, full of cinematic sense) 💡[3 Practical Tips] Avoid Pitfalls + Have Fun 1. Off-peak time: There are fewer people in Baimai Spring at 10 am (tour groups have not yet arrived), occupy a seat 30 minutes before the Spring Show performance, and there is no obstruction in the front row 2. Wear comfortable shoes: The stone road in the ancient city is uneven, don't wear stiletto heels! It is recommended to wear Hanfu with embroidered cloth shoes or flat shoes 3. Bring mosquito repellent: There are many plants by the lake, mosquitoes are active in the evening, spray it before watching the iron fireworks 💬 Summary: Is Mingshui Ancient City Worth Visiting? ✅ Absolutely worth it! It has both the gentleness and elegance of Jiangnan and the boldness of the North. Two days are enough to drink from early wine to fireworks, and to walk from poetry into reality. If you are tired of commercialized ancient towns, come here to feel the "living ancient city"—springs are bubbling, opera stages are singing, fireworks are floating, and even the air is filled with Li Qingzhao's poetry~