I spent two unforgettable days bridging the gap between ancient spring culture and modern cityscape with my family. In Jinan, I stood before the legendary Baotu Spring (趵突泉), watching crystal-clear water burst from the earth as it has for thousands of years, then strolled along the willow-fringed banks of Daming Lake (大明湖) where lotus blooms painted the water pink. Just hours later by high-speed train, I found myself walking beneath the glowing Tianjin Eye (天津之眼摩天轮), the world's only Ferris wheel built on a bridge, as my daughter's eyes lit up with wonder. This leg of our journey perfectly captured the diversity of Northern China—where ancient natural wonders and modern engineering marvels exist just a train ride apart.
Trip Overview
When: August 4-5, 2022 (Summer)
Duration: 2 days (Days 11-12 of 18-day trip)
Travelers: Family with children
Budget: ~750 RMB (~$110 USD) per person
Transportation: High-speed train + Walking + Taxi
Day 11: Springs, Lakes, and an Eye in the Sky
Morning: The Spring That Never Sleeps
When I first stepped into Baotu Spring Park (趵突泉公园) that August morning, the heat was already climbing, but the moment I saw the spring water bubbling up from the earth, I forgot about the temperature entirely. This wasn't just any spring—it was the crown jewel of Jinan's seventy-two famous springs, a natural wonder that has been celebrated in Chinese poetry for over a millennium.
The main pool was mesmerizing. Three streams of water surged continuously from the limestone bedrock, creating a constant bubbling that sounded like gentle thunder. My daughter was fascinated, pressing her face against the railing to watch the water dance. Local visitors told me that during droughts, the spring has been known to stop flowing—a bad omen in ancient times—but on this day, it roared with life.
🎯 Practical Info: Baotu Spring (趵突泉)
Entry Fee: ¥40 (~$6 USD) Opening Hours: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM (summer) Best Time: Early morning (before 9 AM) for fewer crowds Chinese Name: 趵突泉 (Bàotū Quán) Location: 济南市历下区趵突泉南路1号
Walking through the park, I discovered it wasn't just about the springs. Traditional Chinese pavilions dotted the landscape, their upturned eaves reflected in the clear water. Ancient cypress trees provided welcome shade, and the sound of guqin (古琴, traditional Chinese zither) music drifted from a nearby teahouse. I couldn't resist stopping for a cup of jasmine tea, sitting by the water, and watching locals practice tai chi.
Midday: Daming Lake's Lotus Dreams
From Baotu Spring, we walked about fifteen minutes to Daming Lake (大明湖), Jinan's largest natural lake. If Baotu Spring was intimate and powerful, Daming Lake was expansive and serene. As we entered the park, we were greeted by a sea of lotus flowers—thousands of pink and white blooms stretching across the water as far as I could see.
"Summer is the only time to see them like this," a local photographer told me as he set up his tripod. "In two weeks, they'll start to fade." I felt a surge of gratitude for our timing.
🎯 Practical Info: Daming Lake (大明湖)
Entry Fee: ¥30 (~$4.50 USD) Electric Car: ¥10 (~$1.50 USD) for park circuit Boat Tour: ¥25 (~$3.50 USD) per person Chinese Name: 大明湖 (Dàmíng Hú) Tip: Take the boat to the island pavilion for best photos
We opted for the electric car to save my daughter's energy—it was already getting hot—and then took a boat ride across the lake. From the water, the city skyline formed a dramatic backdrop to the ancient scenery. On the central island, we climbed a traditional pagoda for panoramic views that stretched from the willow-lined shores to Jinan's modern downtown.
Afternoon: High-Speed Train to Tianjin
After a quick Korean lunch near our hotel—my daughter's choice, she was craving bibimbap—we grabbed our luggage and headed to Jinan West Railway Station. The high-speed rail network in China never ceases to amaze me. We boarded train G1214 at 2:43 PM, and exactly one hour and twenty-seven minutes later, we arrived in Tianjin. The speed and efficiency were mind-boggling—covering nearly 300 kilometers in the time it takes to watch a movie.
🚄 Transportation: Jinan to Tianjin
Train: G1214 (High-speed rail) Departure: Jinan West Station at 14:43 Arrival: Tianjin South Station at 16:10 Duration: 1 hour 27 minutes Price: ¥140.50 (~$20 USD) for second class Booking: 12306.cn or Trip.com app
Our hotel, the Huiyou Hotel Apartment near Tianjin Railway Station (天津惠友酒店公寓), was a smart choice at ¥188 per night (~$28 USD). It wasn't fancy, but it was clean, spacious, and most importantly—within walking distance of the Tianjin Eye. After settling in, we took a much-needed rest before the evening's main event.
Evening: Under the Glowing Eye
As the sun set, we set out on foot toward the Tianjin Eye (天津之眼摩天轮). Walking through Tianjin's streets in the evening was a delight—the city has a distinctly European feel in parts, a legacy of its history as a treaty port with foreign concessions. But nothing prepared me for my first glimpse of the Ferris wheel.
Rising 120 meters above the Hai River, the Tianjin Eye is the world's only Ferris wheel built on a bridge. As dusk turned to night, it transformed into a giant glowing ring of light, its colorful LEDs reflecting in the water below. My daughter gasped when she saw it, tugging my hand and pointing. "Dad, it's magic!"
Unfortunately, the line for the Eye was hours long—we hadn't booked tickets in advance, a rookie mistake—so we decided to enjoy it from below. We found a spot on the Jingang Bridge (金刚桥) and watched it turn slowly against the night sky, each capsule filled with lucky riders getting a bird's-eye view of the city. The bridge itself buzzed with activity: street performers, couples taking selfies, and vendors selling glowing toys.
For dinner, we chose a restaurant near the bridge serving local Tianjin cuisine. We tried goubuli baozi (狗不理包子)—the famous stuffed buns that are a Tianjin specialty—and while they were good, I honestly preferred the simpler street food we'd had earlier. The whole evening had an electric, carnival atmosphere that my daughter absolutely loved.
Day 12: Rest, Strolls, and a Return to Beijing
The previous day's schedule had been packed, so we gave ourselves permission to sleep in. This is something I've learned about traveling with family—you need built-in downtime, or everyone gets cranky. We lingered over breakfast at the hotel and didn't leave until nearly noon.
Lunch: A Kyoto Surprise
For lunch, we stumbled upon a restaurant called Kyoto Dazhaimen (京都大宅门) just around the corner from our hotel. The name suggested something Japanese, but it was actually a Chinese restaurant with a fusion twist. The interior was decorated in an ornate traditional style—red lanterns, carved wooden screens, and waitstaff in period costumes. The food was good, not exceptional, but the theatrical atmosphere made it memorable. My daughter was thrilled by the "imperial" presentation.
Afternoon: Tianjin Station and Return to Beijing
After lunch, we took a leisurely stroll through Tianjin Railway Station square. The station itself is an architectural marvel—a blend of European and Chinese styles that reflects the city's cosmopolitan history. We sat on a bench, ate ice cream, and watched the world go by: families with oversized suitcases, businessmen in suits rushing to catch trains, and elderly couples walking arm in arm.
Our train to Beijing, C2228, departed at 2:48 PM. This was an intercity train rather than a true high-speed rail, but it still covered the 120 kilometers in just 38 minutes. As we pulled out of Tianjin, I felt a twinge of regret—there was so much more to see in this fascinating city, from the Italian Style Town to the ancient Confucius Temple. But Beijing awaited.
🚄 Transportation: Tianjin to Beijing
Train: C2228 (Intercity) Departure: Tianjin Station at 14:48 Arrival: Beijing South Station at 15:26 Duration: 38 minutes Price: ¥54.50 (~$8 USD) for second class Tip: Book 30 minutes in advance; frequent departures
We checked into the Home Inn near Beijing's Tiantan East Gate (北京天坛东门店) at ¥321 per night (~$47 USD). The location was perfect for our next day's plan—visiting the Temple of Heaven—but that's a story for another time.
Evening: Peking Duck at Qianmen
Despite being tired from travel, we couldn't resist one last culinary adventure. We took the subway to Qianmen (前门), the historic commercial district south of Tiananmen Square, and had dinner at Siji Minfu (四季民福)—one of Beijing's most famous Peking duck restaurants.
Waiting for a table took forty minutes, but the moment the duck arrived—crispy, golden, carved tableside—I knew it was worth it. We wrapped the succulent meat and crispy skin in thin pancakes with hoisin sauce and cucumber, and my daughter declared it the best meal of the entire trip. High praise indeed.
🍽️ Restaurant: Siji Minfu (四季民福)
Cuisine: Peking Duck (北京烤鸭) Location: Qianmen area (前门), Beijing Price: ~¥200-300 (~$30-45 USD) per person Tip: Arrive before 6 PM or expect long waits Must-order: Whole Peking duck with pancakes
Reflections on Two Cities
Looking back on these two days, I'm struck by how much variety we experienced. Jinan offered a glimpse into ancient China's relationship with nature—the springs and lakes that have inspired poets for centuries. Tianjin showed me a different side: a city that wears its colonial history openly, blending European architecture with Chinese energy, tradition with modernity.
Traveling with my family added layers to the experience I wouldn't have had alone. Watching my daughter's wonder at the Tianjin Eye, seeing her fascination with the bubbling springs, sharing that perfect Peking duck dinner—these moments made the journey meaningful beyond the sightseeing.
If you're planning a similar itinerary, my advice is simple: don't rush. Jinan's springs deserve a full morning of contemplation. Book your Tianjin Eye tickets in advance. And always, always save room for Peking duck.
Quick Reference Guide
Day 11 Timeline
8:00 AM - Baotu Spring (¥40) 10:30 AM - Walk to Daming Lake (¥30 + boat ¥25) 12:30 PM - Lunch (Korean restaurant) 2:00 PM - Depart for Jinan West Station 2:43 PM - Train G1214 to Tianjin (¥140.50) 4:10 PM - Arrive Tianjin, check in hotel 7:00 PM - Tianjin Eye (walk from hotel) 8:30 PM - Dinner near Jingang Bridge
Day 12 Timeline
Morning - Rest at hotel 12:00 PM - Lunch at Kyoto Dazhaimen 1:30 PM - Stroll at Tianjin Station square 2:48 PM - Train C2228 to Beijing (¥54.50) 3:26 PM - Arrive Beijing South Station 4:30 PM - Check in at Home Inn Tiantan East Gate 7:00 PM - Dinner at Siji Minfu, Qianmen
Budget Breakdown (Per Person)
Baotu Spring entry: ¥40 (~$6) Daming Lake (entry + boat): ¥55 (~$8) Electric car: ¥10 (~$1.50) Jinan→Tianjin train: ¥140.50 (~$20) Tianjin→Beijing train: ¥54.50 (~$8) Hotel (Tianjin): ¥188 (~$28) - shared Hotel (Beijing): ¥321 (~$47) - shared Meals: ~¥200 (~$30) Total: ~¥750 (~$110 USD) per person
Essential Tips
Book Tianjin Eye tickets online in advance (weibo or WeChat) Visit Baotu Spring before 9 AM to avoid tour groups Daming Lake is best in July-August for lotus flowers High-speed trains require passport for booking Siji Minfu accepts reservations—call ahead! Download Didi app for easy taxi booking in all cities