Shandong, you're too low-key! You didn't mention you were hiding such a beautiful ancient city!

# The Severely Underrated "Jiangnan Town of the North": A Poetic Journey to Jinan Mingshui Ancient City In the midst of busy lives, people always long for a weekend to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and find a peaceful place to enjoy the ease of slow living. And I, this weekend, embarked on a journey to Jinan. I thought the scenery of small bridges, flowing water, and misty rain only existed in the water towns of Jiangnan, but I didn't expect that in Jinan, there is also such a place like a Jiangnan painting—Mingshui Ancient City. When I stepped into Mingshui Ancient City, I felt like I had traveled through time and space, entering the wonderful world of Li Qingzhao's "mistakenly entering the depths of the lotus flowers." Here, I spent a long-awaited slow-life time. During the day, the spring water gurgled, as if telling ancient stories; at night, accompanied by poetry and wine, people were intoxicated in this peaceful and poetic atmosphere. This is simply an excellent place for a weekend getaway, every corner is as beautiful as a painting, and you can take great photos anywhere. ## 1. Location and Transportation Guide Mingshui Ancient City, like a shining pearl, is embedded in Jinan, a land full of historical charm. If you choose to take the high-speed train, after arriving at "Zhangqiu Station," you only need to take a taxi for 10 mins to reach the "Mingshui Ancient City Tourist Center" smoothly. Convenient transportation makes your journey more relaxed and enjoyable. ## 2. In-depth Tour Route ### Day 1: Encounter the Colorful Charm of the Ancient City - **Mengjia Opera House**: This ancient opera house, which has witnessed countless wonderful drama performances, is like an old man of the years, standing quietly in a corner of the ancient city. Stepping into the opera house, you can seem to hear the cheers of the past and the melodious opera sounds. Now, you can not only enjoy wonderful performances such as Zhangqiu Bangzi here, but also experience ice tea around the stove. In the fragrant tea, feeling the leisurely time, it seems like a cross-time dialogue with the past years. - **Mingshui Avenue**: Walking on Mingshui Avenue, the antique buildings on both sides of the street are lined up, and the dazzling array of goods in the shops is overwhelming. The bustling crowd on the street is full of the atmosphere of life, as if taking people back to the prosperous ancient market. - **Yi'an Poetry Meeting**: The poetry meeting with Li Qingzhao as the theme is like a cultural feast that travels through thousands of years. Here, you can enjoy many poetry lovers chanting poems and painting, feeling the charm of poetry, as if you can see Li Qingzhao's appearance of wielding a pen and splashing ink, full of talent. - **Spring Show Performance**: As night falls, the Spring Show performance starts on time. The fountain dances with the rhythm of the music, and the colorful lights reflect on the spring water, like a dream. The combination of the agility of the spring water and the splendor of the lights makes people feel like they are in a fairy tale world. - **Night Tour of the City Wall**: The ancient city wall at night, under the light, looks particularly mysterious and solemn. Strolling on the city wall, feeling the breeze, the stone road under your feet seems to be telling the history of the ancient city. Between the interlacing of light and shadow, the sense of historical heaviness arises spontaneously, making people can't help but immerse themselves in this ancient atmosphere. ### Day 2: Explore the Cultural Heritage of the Ancient City - **Early Wine Market**: In the early morning, when the first ray of sunlight shines on the streets of the ancient city, the early wine market becomes lively. It is full of a strong atmosphere of life, with a wide variety of snacks. It is recommended that you get up early to experience the unique charm of the early wine market, and by the way, taste the local delicacies in the market. Highly recommend mutton soup with sesame cake. The mutton soup is rich and delicious, and the sesame cake is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Although it may be a little hot after eating, the deliciousness is absolutely unforgettable. - **Wanquan Lake**: Wanquan Lake is rippling with blue waves, and the lake water is crystal clear. Willows are swaying by the lake, and occasionally a few small boats row across the lake, rippling layers of ripples. Here, you can relax and enjoy the peace and beauty of nature. - **Li Qingzhao's Former Residence**: Stepping into Li Qingzhao's former residence is like entering a world of poetry. The simple architecture of the former residence, the plants and trees in the courtyard, all make people involuntarily think of Li Qingzhao's poems. Here, you can put on Hanfu and walk around, as if you are the talented female poet, feeling the atmosphere of her life back then. - **Baimai Spring**: Baimai Spring is the heart of Mingshui Ancient City. The clear spring water gurgles from the ground, surging with infinite vitality. In the sun, the spring water is sparkling, shining with golden light; in the moonlight, the lights reflect in the spring water, presenting a different kind of beauty. No matter when you come, you can feel its unique charm. - **Lotus Banquet Pier**: From here, you can start a wonderful cruise experience. The cruise ship moves slowly, passing through stone bridges, and the pedestrians on the bridge and the willows on the bank become an indispensable part of this cruise painting. The breeze blows, bringing bursts of lotus fragrance, which is intoxicating. ## 3. Play Rhythm and Key Recommendations The whole tour rhythm is relatively slow, very suitable for walking and taking pictures with a camera, capturing every beautiful moment. If you have enough time, it is recommended that you stay in the ancient city for one night, so that you can feel the charm of the ancient city more deeply. But if time is tight, the following places must be visited: 1. **Baimai Spring Group**: As the core scenic spot of the ancient city, the spring water of Baimai Spring Group is crystal clear, and the surging spring water is like the pulse of the earth, full of vitality. At different times, under the sunlight and moonlight, it presents completely different beauty, which is intoxicating. 2. **Li Qingzhao's Former Residence**: This place carries Li Qingzhao's legendary life and outstanding talent. The architecture in the former residence is simple and elegant, and the flowers and trees in the courtyard are scattered and orderly, and every place is full of poetry. Taking pictures here in Hanfu is like traveling back to the Song Dynasty, feeling the cultural atmosphere of that era with Li Qingzhao. 3. **Mengjia Opera House**: It is not only a place for drama performances, but also a witness to the history and culture of the ancient city. Here, you can enjoy wonderful Zhangqiu Bangzi performances, and you can also feel the tranquility and comfort of the ancient city in the leisurely time of ice tea around the stove. 4. **Ancient City Wall and Tower**: The city wall during the day looks particularly majestic and spectacular against the blue sky and white clouds; the city wall at night adds a mysterious color under the light. Between the interlacing of light and shadow, the sense of historical heaviness comes to the face, making people can't help but sigh the vicissitudes of the years. 5. **Cruise Experience**: Sitting on a cruise ship, leisurely shuttling through the waterways of the ancient city, admiring the beautiful scenery on both sides, it is like being in a flowing picture. The pedestrians on the bridge and the willows on the bank have become the most beautiful embellishments in this picture. ## 4. Food and Accommodation Recommendations ### Food There are many restaurants in the ancient city, each with its own characteristics. Quanle Restaurant, Yefang Restaurant, Medicinal Diet Restaurant, Jiangxiang Courtyard, etc., whether you like traditional Lu cuisine or want to taste some special medicinal diet delicacies, you can find delicious dishes to satisfy your taste buds here. ### Accommodation It is recommended to choose an inn or hotel in the ancient city, so that you can better enjoy the night view of the ancient city and enjoy the quiet morning. I stayed at Fuli Inn this time, and the antique environment made people feel like they had traveled back to ancient times. Here, you can immerse yourself in the ancient city life and feel the unique tranquility and comfort. Mingshui Ancient City, this severely underrated "Jiangnan Town of the North," is like a thick history book, every page is full of stories. Here, you can slow down, feel the beauty of life, talk to history, and embrace nature. I believe that everyone who comes here will be conquered by its charm and leave an unforgettable memory.