济南市

Why this place

Jinan is called the city of springs — artesian water rises through the city centre and the springs are protected by law. It is the capital of Shandong and the base for Mount Tai, the most sacred of China's five sacred mountains, an hour away.

What to see

• Baotu Spring and the spring pools, plus the Daming Lake park
• The old city around Kuanhou Suo and Furong Street, where the springs run through the streets
• Qianfo Mountain (Thousand Buddha Mountain) with its carved Buddhas
• The Shandong Museum, which holds Han-dynasty stone carvings and oracle bones

What to eat

• Shandong cuisine — one of the eight great traditions; try the braised sea cucumber and the sweet-and-sour carp
• Jinan is known for its guoba and its 'spring-water' tofu dishes
• Shandong pancakes (jianbing) and the local mutton soup

Best time

April–May and September–October; the springs are strongest after the summer rains