[2025 Dongping Attraction] Travel Guide for Dongping Lake (Updated May)

Day 1: The Majesty of Mount Taishan and the Night Hike Experience Morning: Tianwaicun Hiking Starting Point Take the scenic bus (CNY 35/person, approx. 20 minutes) from Tianwaicun Tourist Center directly to Zhongtianmen. Those with plenty of energy can choose to hike to the summit (approx. 3 hours), passing Yunbu Bridge and the Five Scholar Trees along the way, and experience the cultural heritage of the cliffside stone carvings. Those with limited energy are advised to take the cable car from Zhongtianmen (CNY 100 for a one-way ticket) directly to Nantianmen, overlooking the sea of clouds in the mountains. Afternoon: The Scenery at the Summit After reaching the summit, visit Tianjie Street, Jade Emperor Peak, and the "Five Mountains Peerless" stone. It is recommended to bring a CNY 5 bill to take a photo with the stone carving. If you choose to hike at night, you can refer to the special forces route of "meeting at Hongmen at 2 AM" and climb to the summit in 3.5 hours to watch the sunrise (bring a flashlight and a light down jacket). Evening: Hot Spring Relaxation After descending the mountain, it is recommended to go to Culaishan Hot Spring (Qianfengtang). The ancient spring water from the Tang Dynasty is smooth and can relieve mountain climbing fatigue. Day 2: Historical Heritage and Lively Old Streets Morning: Exploring Dai Temple As the starting point for emperors to offer sacrifices to heaven, Dai Temple requires a focus on the murals in Tiankuang Hall, the Millennium Han Cypress (2,100 years old), and the Three Treasures of Mount Taishan (Wenliang Jade Tablet, Agarwood Lion, and Yellow Glazed Porcelain Gourd). It is recommended to rent a tour guide (approx. CNY 20) to learn more about the history. Afternoon: Dongping Lake Cruise Drive for 1 hour to Dongping Lake (free admission). It is recommended to rent a boat for sailing or cycling along the lake. In autumn, the reeds sway and egrets fly. The "Long River Sunset" scenery at dusk is particularly stunning. Evening: Taian Old Street Carnival After returning to the city, go straight to Taian Old Street. Must-try foods: • 🌮 Taishan Pancake: Freshly made thin pancake rolled with scallions/red scale fish, crispy, salty and fragrant • 🍢 Taishan Fried Chicken: Local free-range chicken with green peppers, full of wok hei • 🍧 Sanmei Tofu Pudding: Made with Taishan spring water, smooth, tender and sweet At night, you can watch the 7D music fountain show, and on weekends there are also intangible cultural heritage performances such as shadow puppetry. Day 3: Tianwaicun Surroundings and Hidden Gems Morning: Tianwaicun Cultural Circle • 🏞 Heilongtan (Black Dragon Pool): A 10-minute walk away, it is said to be the location of the Taishan dragon vein. The stream is cool in summer. • 🏯 Daizong Archway: The starting point of the central axis of Mount Taishan. The stone archway from the Tang Dynasty and the millennium-old pagoda tree form an excellent photography spot. Afternoon: Caishixi Easy Hike Take a bus from Tianwaicun to Caishixi (free). The colorful pebbles and clear flowing water in the stream complement each other, making it suitable for families to play in the water (prepare stream tracing shoes). Before returning, a surprise: Experience Shandong-style braised pork at "Chao Yi Xing" fast food restaurant next to Taishan Railway Station. The fatty but not greasy braised pork with rice is a carbohydrate bomb. Accommodation Recommendations • 🏨 Four Points by Sheraton Tai'an, Baolong: Near the old street, the rooms offer panoramic views of Mount Taishan • 🏡 Jiunvfeng Homestay: Wild luxury style, with a starry sky terrace and mountain view hot spring (suitable for self-driving tourists) Useful Tips 1. Transportation: City buses No. 3/4 connect Dai Temple and Tianwaicun; a taxi to Dongping Lake costs about CNY 80 2. Tickets: Mount Taishan CNY 115 (including Dai Temple), Caishixi is free, Dongping Lake cruise is CNY 50/person 3. Equipment: Hiking poles (hotels often provide them for free), non-slip shoes, sunscreen 4. Things to avoid: Taian Old Street is not a real historical site, it is recommended to focus on the food experience; night climbing at Hongmen requires advance ticket booking

Dongping Lake, the second largest freshwater lake in Shandong Province, is the only remaining water area of the 800-mile Liangshan Water Bay described in Water Margin, known as the "Little Dongting". We drove on the most beautiful lake road, with beautiful lake and mountain scenery along the way. We saw a pier and stopped to check it out. We saw fishermen returning from fishing with a full load. There were four large boxes of local hairy knife fish on the small fishing boat. It is said that this fish is delicious, with few thorns and more meat. We met a local resident buying fresh crucian carp just caught, and bought five or six for 20 yuan, which was cheap and fresh. We originally wanted to take a cruise in Dongping Lake National Wetland Park, but unfortunately the park has not been open these days, so we can only wait for the next time to come to fulfill our dream. At noon, we tasted the authentic one fish three eat at the super hot Shuihe Boat Farmhouse. The fried black fish section was crispy and very flavorful. It was delicious when it was hot. The stewed fish head soup was rich and fragrant. We each drank three bowls and still wanted more. The braised fish tail sauce was rich, and the fish was tender and juicy. It was paired with the local specialty water chestnut rice flour steamed bun, which was absolutely delicious. No wonder there were so many people waiting in line to taste it. The next table was two retired couples who came here for a tour. They were amazed at the size of the fish while eating deliciously.

🌅Dongping Lake Travel Route: You can start from Dongping Lake Wetland, admire the vast reed marshes and various water birds🦅. Then head to the Shuihu Film City to feel the ancient martial arts atmosphere. Next, go to Liugong Mountain Shuihu Village to appreciate the magnificent mountain village scenery. 💥Must-visit Items: Take a boat tour in the wetland🚢, as if you are in a painting. Take photos and check in at Shuihu Film City, wear ancient costumes, and instantly become a martial arts hero. Climb Liugong Mountain Shuihu Village and overlook the beautiful scenery of Dongping Lake. 🎟️Reservation/Ticket Guide: You can book tickets in advance on major travel platforms, with affordable prices. Some attractions may have discount policies, so remember to pay attention. 🕰️Opening Hours: Generally from 8 AM to 6 PM. It is recommended to spend a whole day. 🅿️Parking Guide: Each attraction has a dedicated parking lot with reasonable charges. Try to arrive early to find a good parking spot. ✨Personal Experience Tips: Be sure to bring a camera, the scenery here is super beautiful, and any shot is a masterpiece. Prepare comfortable shoes, as there is a lot of walking. You can rent an ancient costume in Shuihu Film City for better photos. Taste the local specialties, such as Dongping pickled fish and Dongping Lake salted duck eggs, they are super delicious!😋

| The waves travel thousands of miles carrying the Wen River, and the boats sail mightily on their westward journey. Heading west along the grand Wen River, which flows beneath the majestic Mount Tai like a jade belt, one reaches Dongping. 📸 The Wen River, gathering the waters of the central Shandong mountains, does not flow directly into the Yellow River but accumulates here to form the vast Dongping Lake. This great lake once had its moment of glory, endowed with the legend of the eight hundred li of Liangshanbo, and it was here that the central city of Dongping Prefecture in the Lu West region was built during the Song and Yuan dynasties. The ingenuity of Daicun Dam has also earned Dongping the reputation of 'the heart of the canal'. The prosperity of the past has faded, but the scenes of fishermen singing at dusk and the roaring of Daicun Dam still make this small city in the west of Shandong worth visiting. ✨ Daicun Dam The world heritage and national level six status have not brought too many tourists to this modest water conservancy facility, but every year during the flood season of the Wen River in midsummer, the roaring waves like a tiger's roar attract locals to come and watch. 💫 The dense locks on the Beijing-Hangzhou Canal are there to overcome the elevation from Hangzhou all the way north, and the Shandong hills are precisely the high point of the canal. The river often dries up, hindering the transport of grain, and is known as the 'water ridge'. The construction of Daicun Dam in the early Ming Dynasty, planned by the elder Bai Ying of Wenshang, was to solve the water source problem of the canal in this area and also to take into account the benefits of irrigation and flood prevention. The saying 'seven parts for the emperor, three parts for the south of the river' summarizes the water-dividing benefits of Daicun Dam, and Bai Ying is revered by locals as the god of eternal relief. 💡 The Daicun Dam scenic area is not large, more like a park for viewing the scenery of the Wen River, but the dam stretching across the river makes the water surface here exceptionally wide. Standing on the observation deck with the words 'Daicun Dam's Roar', one can see the full figure of the dam and the Wen River water rolling down from it. Next to it, the Daicun Dam Museum allows visitors to learn about the past and present of Daicun Dam and appreciate the vitality of this ancient dam that has been used to this day, which is the reason for its inclusion in the world heritage list. 🚗 It is about ten kilometers from Daicun Dam to the county town, with no public transport available, so one can only take a taxi. 🌊 Dongping Lake As the last remnant of Liangshanbo, Dongping Lake is vast, and the surrounding hills add a unique charm to the scenery. Near Dongping Lake, there are the Water Margin Film and Television City, Liugong Mountain, and other scenic areas centered on Water Margin culture, as well as the under-construction Zhou City Town, which is the site of ancient Dongping. However, compared to the picturesque northern lakes, man-made landscapes are somewhat inferior. 🗺 Lao Lake Town is the core of the Dongping Lake wetland, a small town with complete facilities and a leisurely pace. From afar, the mountains surrounding the lake on the opposite shore, the calm lake surface rippling in the wind, and the occasional sound of fishing boat engines deepen the tranquil atmosphere. Gazing from the lakeside pavilion, a small mountain reflected on the southwestern surface of the lake is the famous Liangshan, but it has been separated from the water and isolated on land through the changes of history. 🚌 Take bus number 7 from the county town to Lao Lake Town. The view of the lake under the clear sky from the bus is refreshing, even reminiscent of Erhai Lake. The town has many fish restaurants and convenient accommodations, making it a backyard for both Jining and Tai'an. The county town also has Baifo Mountain and Dongping Museum, which can be visited depending on the time available.

Dongping Lake National Wetland Park Dongping | The Wen River flows thousands of miles, and the mighty boats sail westward Going westward along the Dawen River, which looks like a jade belt under the majestic Mount Tai, you will reach Dongping. The Wen River, which gathers water from the mountains in central Shandong, does not flow directly into the Yellow River, but instead forms the vast Dongping Lake. This large lake once flourished and was given the legend of the 800-li Liangshan Lake. Dongping Prefecture, the central city of western Shandong during the Song and Yuan dynasties, was built here. The ingenuity of the Daicun Dam has earned Dongping the reputation of the Heart of the Canal. The prosperous past has faded, but the scenery of fishermen singing in the evening and tigers roaring in Daiba still makes this small city in western Shandong worth visiting. Daicunba The halo of World Heritage and National VI Standard has not attracted many tourists to this low-key water conservancy facility, but the roaring sound of the waves during the flood season of the Dawen River in midsummer every year attracts local people to come and watch. The densely packed locks on the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal were built to overcome the rising altitude from Hangzhou all the way northwards. The Shandong hills are the commanding heights of the canal, and the river often dries up, hindering water transport, earning it the name "water ridge". In the early Ming Dynasty, Daicun Dam was built under the planning of Bai Ying, an old man from Wenshang, in order to solve the water source problem of the canal in this area and take into account the benefits of irrigation and flood control. The saying "seven parts to the emperor and three parts to the south of the Yangtze River" summarizes the benefits of water diversion of Daicun Dam. Bai Ying is also revered as the God of Yongji by the locals. The Daicunba Scenic Area is not big, and is more like a park for viewing the scenery of the Dawen River. It is just that the dam across the river makes the water surface here unusually wide. Standing on the observation deck with the words "Daiba Tiger Roaring" written on it, you can see the entire dam and the Wen River water flowing down from the dam. At the Daicun Dam Museum next to it, you can learn about the past and present of Daicun Dam and appreciate the vitality of this ancient dam that has been used to this day, which is why it is listed as a World Heritage Site. Daicunba is about ten kilometers away from the county seat. There is no public transportation, so you can only take a taxi. Dongping Lake As the last relic of Liangshan Lake, Dongping Lake is vast and the rolling hills surrounding the lake make the scenery here unique. Near Dongping Lake, there are scenic spots centered on the Water Margin culture, such as the Water Margin Film and Television City and Liugong Mountain, as well as the Zhoucheng Town under construction, which is the site of the ancient Dongping. But compared with the beautiful northern lakes, man-made landscapes are far inferior. Laohu Town is the core of Dongping Lake Wetland. This town has complete facilities and a slow and pleasant pace. From afar, the other side of the lake is surrounded by mountains. The quiet lake surface is rippling in the wind, and the sound of fishing boat engines from time to time makes the quiet atmosphere even deeper. Looking out from the viewing pavilion by the lake, a small mountain reflected on the lake surface in the southwest is the famous Liangshan Mountain. But it has been separated from the water and isolated on land in the course of history. Take bus No. 7 from the county seat to Laohu Town. Watching the lake under the clear sky on the bus is refreshing, and even has some of the charm of Erhai Lake. There are many fish restaurants in the town, and food and accommodation are convenient, making it the back garden of both Jinan and Tai'an. There are also Baifo Mountain and Dongping Museum in the county, you can choose according to time.

Spring by Dongping Lake | So beautiful, full of vitality and vigor.|||Location: Dongping Lake Scenic Area, Dongping County, Tai'an City, Shandong Province, south side of Binhu Avenue, Dongping Binhu National Wetland Park (2 kilometers west of Dasong Everbright City) Spring by Dongping Lake, the scent of the season grows stronger. The warm spring breeze gently caresses the face, and the green willows on the lakeside sway gracefully, like emerald long hair dancing lightly. The lake water sparkles, clear and jade-like, reflecting the beautiful scenery by the lake. Spring by Dongping Lake is so beautiful, full of vitality and vigor. Whether it's walking to enjoy the lake view, sitting on the pier to feel the tranquility of the water, or watching the rhythm of the waterwheel, one can immerse themselves in nature, forgetting the hustle and bustle of the world.

During the May Day holiday, I went to the Song Dynasty City that Never Sleeps. Zundu was amazing! ! Very good film! ! There are lots of delicious food and fun things to do. The highlight is the fireworks 🎆 that last for a full ten minutes! ! So beautiful😍 (606 Dongping Lake is also very beautiful. There are flowers all along the road around the lake🌸 It is also very suitable to be built into an Internet celebrity check-in spot hahahaha~)