Not in Jeju Island, but in Jinan! Surprisingly beautiful like the seaside, 1-hour direct bus

## Advanced Guide to Short Trips Around Jinan: Poetic Living Amid Mountains, Water, and Countryside ### **Xueye Lake — The Tranquil Beauty of Jinan’s "Erhai"** **Charm**: Xueye Lake is known as Jinan’s "Little Erhai." Its 18,000-mu lake surface is surrounded by green mountains, with a colorful lakeside road unfolding like a painting, combining the vastness of the sea with the elegance of wetlands. It’s quiet and scenic with few people, perfect for self-driving, camping, or boating, especially enchanting in the early morning mist, like a fairyland. **Must-try experiences**: - **Lakeside self-driving tour**: A 20-kilometer loop road around the lake with free parking lots along the way, allowing you to stop anytime and enjoy the scenery of mountains and water. - **Bird Island viewing**: Visit Bird Island in spring to observe migratory birds and experience the pristine wetland scenery. - **Lakeside fish feast**: The signature dish is Xueye Lake fish head soup. Recommended is the "two ways to eat one fish" (fish head soup + braised fish tail), paired with Laiwu’s specialty "Qiaoxifu" salted fish pancake, delicious and unforgettable. **Accommodation recommendations**: - **Xueye Lake Holiday Hotel**: Built by the lake, some rooms face the lake directly, suitable for visitors seeking comfort. - **Lakeside camping**: Bring your own tent or rent one, choose the green area near Beibaizuo Village, stargaze at night, and listen to birdsong in the morning. --- ### **Wohushan Reservoir — The "Waterbird Paradise" Near the City** **Charm**: Known as Jinan’s "Little Erhai," Wohushan Reservoir is famous for its 5-kilometer lakeside road and clear water. In winter, flocks of waterbirds gather, and in early spring, the rippling waves make it an ideal place for cycling and hiking. **Must-try experiences**: - **Lakeside cycling**: Rent a bike and ride slowly along the lake, enjoying the peaceful reflection of mountain shadows. - **Winter skiing**: If visiting in winter, go to Wohushan Ski Resort (the largest in Jinan) to experience the "ice and fire combo" of skiing plus Northeast-style iron pot stew. **Accommodation recommendations**: - **Southern mountain area homestays**: Such as "Caishi Dongquan · Mountain Village Backyard," blending ancient village charm with modern design, perfect for visitors seeking pastoral delight. --- ### **Dragon-shaped Buildings (Hanyu Jingu "Losanji Trio") — Modern Symbols of Jinan** **Charm**: The "trio" consisting of Yunding Tower (Shandong’s tallest building), Internet Tower, and Industrial Finance Tower resembles the Los Angeles skyline and has become popular as a symbol of Jinan’s digital economy and financial industry. **Photo tips**: - Capture the silhouette of the "trio" at dusk, combined with the light show for a full atmospheric effect. - Nearby shopping areas (like Wanda Plaza) offer Shandong cuisine or creative fusion dishes. --- ### **Xiaoliaozhao Village (Dongquan Village) — Winter Memories of Old Jinan** **Charm**: Dongquan Village is one of the "Top Ten Most Beautiful Ancient Villages in Jinan," with well-preserved stone slab roads, ancient springs, and Tang locust trees. It looks especially rustic after winter snow. The homestay "Mountain Village Backyard" perfectly combines natural ecology with modernity. **Must-try experiences**: - Stroll through the village and visit Yulou Spring (one of Jinan’s 72 famous springs). - Participate in homestay handicraft activities (such as paper-cutting window decorations and writing Spring Festival couplets) to feel the rural New Year atmosphere. --- ### **Suggested Itinerary (2-3 days)** **Day 1**: Xueye Lake lakeside self-driving + fish head feast → overnight by the lake **Day 2**: Wohushan Reservoir cycling → Hanyu Jingu photo stop → overnight at Dongquan Village homestay **Day 3**: Leisurely tour of Dongquan Village → return trip **Tips**: - Xueye Lake and Wohushan Reservoir are both free to visit with convenient parking. - If time allows, visit Lingyan Temple (a thousand-year-old temple with Arhat statues considered the "best sculptures in the country"). Jinan’s mountains, waters, and countryside combine the grandeur of the North with the grace of the South. Whether it’s the vast misty waves of Xueye Lake or the curling smoke of Dongquan Village, you can find a poetic place to dwell amid the fast pace of life.