Jinan was originally an old city named Luo dating back more than 2,600 years ago. It has Mount Taishan on its south and the Yellow River in the north. In the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.--A.D. 220), it was changed to Jinan for its location south of Jishui River (present-day Yellow River). The capital of Shangdong Province, it has a population of 1.18 million.
  According to historical records, Jinan formerly had 72 springs, hence the name the "City of Springs".

  Most famous is the Spurting Spring reputed as the First Spring Under Heaven. Clear spring water, gushing out of the ground, rumbles like thunder; fish are seen swimming freely in the water.
  In the Thousand-Buddha Mountain sits the Tang Dynasty structure Xingguo Temple, with Buddhas carved into cliff faces dating back to the Sui and Tang Dynasties (581--907).

  Vast Daming Lake is one formed of spring water, giving reflections of mountains in the distance. Legend goes that Tang poets Du Fu and Li Bai once feasted and wrote poems here. A stone statue of Du Fu stands in Mingshi Study. Found extant in the valley of Liubu surrounded by mountains, 34 kilometres southeast of Jinan, are ancient structures and stone statues dating from the 6th to 8th centuries.
  Mount Taishan, which leads China's five sacred mountains, is 80 kilometres southeast of Jinan. Jade Emperor Summit forms the highest peak of the mountain. All Chinese emperors made it their rule to pay homage to the mountain through the history.

  Many magnificent ancient structures and cultural relics are seen on the mountain overgrown with pine trees and cypresses, studded with old-shaped peaks and deep valleys. The climax of the whole is to watch the sunrise from the summit.