Located in the northeast of the central part of Ji'nan, north of the ancient city, the beautiful Daming Lake (daming hu), covering an area of 46 hectares, is scattered with temples and teahouses. Formerly known as "Lotus Seed Lake" and "West Lake", the lake got its current name in the Jin Dynasty and it was not until the Ming Dynasty, when the city wall was restored, that the lake took the form we see today.

Water from many springs, including the Pearl Spring, the Washing Ying Spring and the Prince's Residence Pool, converge in Daming Lake, and the water here neither rises substantially during rainy days, nor dries in drought. Willow trees planted along the shore and 40 hectares of lotus flowers provide additional color, while it is considered a treat to watch the autumn moonlit reflection of the Thousand Buddha Mountain in the lake's lapping waters.

The best scenic spots of the Daming Lake Park are one pavilion (the North End Pavilion), two gardens (the Xia Garden and Autumn Willow Garden), four ancestral temples (the Jiaxuan Temple, Tiegong Temple, Nanfeng Temple and Spring Gathering Temple), and ten pavilions.

How to get to Daming Lake: Take bus No.11 from the Central Railway Station in Ji'nan.
Opening hours: 6am to 6pm.
Cost: Tickets are RMB5.