Daming Lake (大明湖)

 

Daming Lake [Photo by Lin Liyao/China.org.cn]

Daming Lake, in the heart of the downtown area, is regarded as one of the must-see tourist spots in Jinan. Covering an area of 46 hectares, the lake is fed by many artesian karst springs and hence retains a constant water level throughout the year. The average depth of the lake is two meters, and its deepest point lies at about four meters. When summer arrives, lotuses bloom on the water and half of the Daming Lake Park is filled with their fragrant scent. Willows circle the lake on three sides and swing in the breeze. Standing at the top floor of Chaoran Pavilion, built on the lake itself, you can catch a bird's-eye view of the entire area and the whole city.