Jinan (济南)

1. Introduction

Jinan City, also known as the "Spring City," is the capital of Shandong Province in the People's Republic of China. It is one of the country's fifteen sub-provincial cities and serves as the political, economic, cultural, technological, educational, transportation, and financial center of Shandong Province. Jinan is a core city within the Shandong Peninsula urban agglomeration and the Jinan metropolitan area.

Jinan is also the location of the Army Command of the Northern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army, a major national transportation hub, and a logistics center. The Jinan Branch of the People's Bank of China, one of the nine trans-provincial branches, is established here. Jinan connects to the Capital Economic Circle in the north, the Yangtze River Delta Economic Circle in the south, and links the Shandong Peninsula with Central China from east to west, making it a crucial intersection on the Bohai Rim Economic Zone and the Beijing-Shanghai Economic Axis. According to the National Urban System Planning Outline (2005-2020), Jinan is designated as a regional central city.

With a history of over 2,700 years, Jinan is one of the important cradles of Chinese civilization. Known as the "Spring City" due to its numerous springs, including the "Seventy-Two Famous Springs," it is celebrated for its scenic beauty, as described in the Qing Dynasty couplet by Liu Fenggao: "Lotus on four sides, willows on three; a city of mountain views, half a city of lakes." Jinan is recognized as a National Historical and Cultural City, a National Innovative City, a China Software City, a National Garden City, one of the first batch of China's Excellent Tourism Cities, and a National Intellectual Property Demonstration City.

Located in the central-western part of Shandong Province, Jinan borders the Yellow River to the north and Mount Tai to the south. The city administers 10 districts and 2 counties, covering a total area of 10,244 square kilometers. It shares borders with Liaocheng City to the southwest, Dezhou City and Binzhou City to the north, Zibo City to the east, and Tai'an City to the south. The Jinan Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China, the Standing Committee of the Jinan Municipal People's Congress, the Jinan Municipal People's Government, and the Jinan Municipal Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference are all located at No. 1 Longding Avenue, Lixia District.

Jinan has successfully hosted numerous international and national events, including the 2004 AFC Asian Cup, the 11th National Games of the People's Republic of China in 2009, the 7th China (International) Garden and Flower Expo, and the 10th China Arts Festival in 2013. In 2015, the "22nd International Congress of Historical Sciences" was held in Jinan, marking the first time this prestigious world event was held in Asia in over a century. The China Green Companies Annual Meeting in 2016 and the 5th World Photography Congress in 2017 also opened in Jinan.

On December 7, 2016, Jinan was listed by the State Council as part of the third batch of National New Urbanization Comprehensive Pilot Areas. In the 2018 China Top 100 Cities Ranking, Jinan was placed 18th. In January 2018, the State Council officially approved the Overall Plan for the Construction of the Shandong Comprehensive Pilot Zone for the Conversion of Old and New Growth Drivers, supporting Jinan in building a national pilot zone for the conversion of old and new growth drivers. In August 2020, the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee reviewed and approved the Outline of the Plan for Ecological Protection and High-Quality Development of the Yellow River Basin, designating the Jinan Start-up Area for the Conversion of Old and New Growth Drivers as the only substantive new area supported under the major national strategy for the Yellow River. In April 2021, with the approval of the State Council, the Jinan Start-up Area for the Conversion of Old and New Growth Drivers was established, becoming the second such start-up area in China after the Xiongan New Area.

2. Etymology

The name "Jinan" first appeared during the Western Han Dynasty, originating from the Jinan Commandery established at that time. According to the Book of Han: Treatise on Geography, "Jinan Commandery was formerly part of the State of Qi, established in the first year of Emperor Gaozu (206 BC)." As the name suggests, the "Ji" in Jinan refers to the Ji River, while "nan" indicates direction, so "Jinan" means "south of the Ji River."

The ancient Ji River was an important waterway in ancient China, renowned alongside the Yangtze River (Jiang), Yellow River (He), and Huai River (Huai) as one of the "Four Great Rivers" (Si Du). It was an object of worship for ancient Chinese dynasties. The ancient Ji River originated from Mount Wangwu in Jiyuan City, present-day Henan Province, and was famous for its unique hydrological characteristic of "subterranean flow and clear waves," meaning the river would sometimes disappear underground before resurfacing. Its basin roughly corresponds to the present-day Shandong section of the Yellow River. However, the fate of the Ji River was closely linked to the changes of the Yellow River. Historically, the Yellow River changed its course multiple times. In the first year of the Tianfeng era during the Xin Dynasty under Wang Mang (14 AD), the Yellow River shifted near Puyang and began to flow into the northern section of the Ji River's course, though the old channel of the Ji River still existed. By the second year of the Jianyan era in the Northern Song Dynasty (1128 AD), to block the southward advance of the Jin army, Du Chong, the defending general of Dongjing (Kaifeng), breached the Yellow River's dikes. The lower reaches of the Yellow River subsequently captured the courses of the Si and Huai Rivers to flow into the sea, an event historically known as the "Yellow River Capturing the Huai." For over seven hundred years thereafter, the Yellow River primarily flowed southeast. It was not until the fifth year of the Xianfeng era in the Qing Dynasty (1855 AD) that the Yellow River breached its banks at Tongwaxiang in Lankao, Henan, shifting northward again and capturing the course of the Daqing River (the old lower course of the ancient Ji River) to flow into the Bohai Sea. This shift completely occupied the lower riverbed of the ancient Ji River, making it the main course of the present-day lower Yellow River. Although the Ji River no longer exists as an independent river, its historical imprint is deeply etched into the place names along its banks, such as Jiyuan (meaning the source of the Ji River), Jinan (south of the Ji River), Jiyang (north of the Ji River), and Jining.

Another ancient name for Jinan, its abbreviated form "Luo," predates even the name "Jinan." This abbreviation originates from the ancient Luo River, a waterway formed by the convergence of springs within the city, led by the Baotu Spring. The character "Luo" (the traditional form of "泺") is an ancient place-name character specifically used for this location.

According to research by scholar Wang Entian, the character "Luo" already appeared in oracle bone inscriptions from the late Shang Dynasty during the reigns of Emperor Yi and Emperor Xin (Zhou), recording their campaigns against the Dongyi tribes. Inscriptions such as "The king went to Luo" have been interpreted as records of Shang kings passing through the spring area of present-day Jinan (i.e., today's Baotu Spring) to conduct rituals or divinations. This discovery traces the documented history of Jinan's springs back over 3,500 years to the late Shang Dynasty.

By the Spring and Autumn period, the area of present-day Jinan was known as "Luo Yi," located within the territory of the State of Qi, near the State of Lu. It served as a crucial hub for interactions between Qi and Lu, and remnants of the Qi Great Wall can still be seen within modern Jinan. The Spring and Autumn Annals: 18th Year of Duke Huan (694 BC) records: "In spring, the first month, the Duke (Duke Huan of Lu) met with the Marquis of Qi (Duke Xiang of Qi) at Luo. The Duke and his wife, Lady Jiang, then proceeded to Qi." Here, "Luo" refers to "Luo Yi," an important site for meetings between the rulers of the two states. The character "Luo" not only carries the profound spring culture of Jinan but also serves as a toponymic marker for its beginning as recorded history.

Furthermore, the character "Ji" (济) and the character "Qi" (齐) from the State of Qi are closely linked in ancient geography, culture, and even Old Chinese. Geographically, the Ji River was a significant waterway within the territory of Qi, long serving as a natural boundary between Qi and the western states like Lu and Wei. For instance, the Zuo Zhuan: 10th Year of Duke Zhuang records "The Qi army... then... crossed the Ji," referring to the Qi army crossing the Ji River, highlighting its status as a military and geographical stronghold for Qi.

In Old Chinese, the characters "Qi" (齐) and "Ji" (济) had similar pronunciations, and scholars have long noted the connection between them. Some scholars (such as Gu Yanwu of the Qing Dynasty) have examined the possibility that the two characters were used interchangeably in certain ancient texts. The discovery of the "Jing Gong Ru Nian" chapter in the Tsinghua Bamboo Slips (Vol. II) has provided new evidence. The usage of "Qi" and "Ji" in this text has sparked discussions about whether they share a common origin or if there was ancient interchange in place names. One viewpoint suggests that the ancestral Dongyi people's name for this river (the Ji River) might also have been the source of the name for their tribe (Qi), which later gradually differentiated into two distinct Chinese characters. Therefore, "Ji" is not only the origin of the place name Jinan; its pronunciation and meaning are also intertwined with the core concept of "Qi" in Qilu culture throughout history.

3. History

As early as the Neolithic Age 9,000 years ago, ancient inhabitants had already settled and thrived in this area.

Jinan is the discovery site of the Longshan Culture, characterized by polished black pottery dating back 4,000 to 4,500 years. It was first discovered in 1928 during excavations at Chengziya in Longshan Town (now Longshan Subdistrict, Zhangqiu District), originally part of Licheng County, and was named Longshan Culture after the excavation site.

During the Xia Dynasty, a relatively large-scale city was built in the Chengziya area. In the Shang and Zhou dynasties, Jinan was part of the ancient Tan State (an eastern regional state, with its capital located in the areas of present-day Chengziya and Pingling City).

Ancient History The earliest legend related to Jinan is that of Shun tilling Lishan. Records of the Grand Historian notes: "Shun tilled Lishan, and the people of Lishan all yielded boundaries; he fished in Leize, and the people of Leize all yielded dwellings; he made pottery by the riverbank, and the pottery from the riverbank was not coarse." It is said that Shun once "fished in Leize and personally tilled Lishan." Consequently, various place names bearing Shun's name are still scattered throughout the city, such as "Shun Well," "Shungeng Road," and "Shungeng Mountain." Since there are many mountains named Lishan, there is considerable debate, with one theory suggesting it refers to Jinan's Thousand Buddha Mountain. In the Northern Wei Dynasty, Li Daoyuan wrote in Commentary on the Water Classic: "South of the city faces a mountain, on which there is a Shun Temple. At the foot of the mountain is a large cave, called Shun Well, comparable to Maoshan's Yu Well. The Book says Shun tilled Lishan, also said to be here, though the details are unclear."

The famous Battle of "An" between Qi and Jin during the Spring and Autumn Period occurred in the Ma'anshan area north of the city. The Book of Songs: Greater East, compiled during the Spring and Autumn Period, is the earliest existing document related to Jinan. During the Han Dynasty, the Jinan Kingdom was established in 164 BCE and abolished in 154 BCE, replaced by a commandery. In the Western Han Dynasty, several imperial relatives were enfeoffed in Jinan, with nobles such as Liu Piguang, Liu Jiu, and Liu Sheng successively titled as Kings of Jinan. King Liu Piguang of Jinan later participated in the "Rebellion of the Seven States." At the end of the Western Han Dynasty, the imperial relative Wang Mang usurped power, an event historically known as the "Wang Mang Reforms." During his reign, he changed Jinan to Le'an. Sixteen years later, Emperor Guangwu changed Le'an back to the Jinan Kingdom.

During the Eastern Han Dynasty, the title King of Jinan continued, but the kingdom was later abolished due to lack of heirs: "In the fourth year of Emperor An's Yan'guang era (125 CE), King Xiang of Jinan died without an heir, and the kingdom was abolished. In the first year of Emperor Shun's Yongjian era (126 CE), Liu Xian, Marquis of Fuyang, was made King of Jinan. In the first year of Emperor Huan's Yongxing era (153 CE), King Guang of Jinan died without an heir, and the kingdom was abolished. In the third year of Emperor Ling's Xiping era (174 CE), Liu Kang, son of Liu Li, King of Hejian, was made King of Jinan."

During Emperor Ling's reign, Cao Cao once served as Chancellor of Jinan. During the Yongjia era (307–312 CE) of the Western Jin Dynasty, the seat of Jinan Commandery was moved from Dongpingling to Licheng.

Medieval History In the third year of the Kaihuang era of Emperor Gaozu of Sui (583 CE), Jinan Commandery was changed to Qi Prefecture. During this period, Buddhism flourished in Jinan, leaving behind Buddhist relics such as Thousand Buddha Mountain, Lingyan Temple, Thousand Buddha Cliff Grotto Statues, and the Four Gates Pagoda (the oldest existing stone pagoda in China). At the beginning of the Sui Dynasty's Kaihuang era, the commandery was abolished; at the beginning of the Daye era, Qi Commandery was reestablished, administering ten counties: Licheng, Zhu'a, Linyi, Linji, Zouping, Zhangqiu, Changshan, Gaoyuan, Tingshan, and Zichuan. In the first year of the Wude era of Tang (618 CE), Qi Commandery was changed to Qi Prefecture, and a military governorship was established the following year. In the first year of the Zhenguan era (627 CE), the military governorship was abolished, and a governorship was reestablished in the seventh year of Zhenguan. During the Tianbao era, it was successively renamed Linzi Commandery and Jinan Commandery. In the first year of the Qianyuan era (758 CE), it was restored as Qi Prefecture, administering seven counties: Licheng, Zhangqiu, Tingshan, Linyi, Changqing, Yucheng, and Linji.

By the early Northern Song Dynasty, it belonged to the Jingdong Circuit. In the first year of the Yuanfeng era (1078 CE), it belonged to the Jingdong West Circuit. In the sixth year of the Zhenghe era of Emperor Huizong of Song (1116 CE), Qi Prefecture was elevated to Jinan Prefecture, leading five counties: Licheng, Yucheng, Zhangqiu, Changqing, and Linyi. When Zeng Gong served in Jinan, he composed various poems and essays, promoting the development of Jinan's literature. During the transition between the Northern and Southern Song dynasties, literature in Jinan Prefecture flourished even more, producing famous ci poets in Chinese history such as Li Qingzhao and Xin Qiji, collectively known as the "Two Ans of Jinan" (Li Qingzhao's sobriquet was "Yi'an," and Xin Qiji's courtesy name was "You'an"). The earliest commercial printed advertisement in Chinese advertising history appeared in Jinan Prefecture during the Northern Song Dynasty. The bronze printing plate for the advertisement of the Liu Family Needle Shop from Jinan in the Northern Song, housed in the Shanghai Museum, is the earliest existing commercial and industrial printed advertisement. On this advertisement plate, measuring 12.5 cm high and 13 cm wide, the center features a trademark—a white rabbit pounding medicine. The advertisement's title is the shop name "Jinan Liu Family Skillful Needle Shop," informing people that the shop's address is "recognized by the white rabbit in front of the door." The shop's business scope, quality requirements, and operational policy are: "Purchasing superior steel rods to craft skillful fine needles, ensuring no inconvenience for household use; suitable for resale, with additional discounts. Please remember the white rabbit." This is currently the world's earliest discovered printed advertisement artifact, predating Western printed advertisements by over three hundred years.

In 1128, Jinan Prefecture of the Jingdong East Circuit in the Northern Song was captured by 30,000 Jin troops led by Wanyan Zonghan, Wanyan Zongfu, Wanyan Zongze, Wanyan Zongbi, and Balisu. It continued to be called Jinan Prefecture, belonging to the Jingdong East Circuit, leading seven counties: Licheng, Linyi, Qihe, Zhangqiu, Yucheng, Changqing, and Jiyang. In the early Yuan Dynasty, it was changed to Jinan Route, under the Central Secretariat, leading four counties—Licheng, Zhangqiu, Zouping, and Jiyang—and two prefectures: Di and Bin. Di Prefecture's seat was Yanci (present-day Huimin County), administering Yanci, Shanghe, Yangxin, and Wudi counties. Bin Prefecture's seat was Bohai (present-day Binzhou City), administering Bohai, Lijin, and Zhanhua counties. In 1214, Jinan Prefecture of the Jingdong East Circuit under the Jin Dynasty was captured by the armies of Genghis Khan and Tolui. From late 1216 to early 1217, Jin forces expelled the previous occupying garrison from Jinan Prefecture. In 1220, Jinan Prefecture was again captured by Muqali.

During the Yuan Dynasty, as part of the central Jinan Route, Jinan's culture remained prosperous, producing famous literary figures and sanqu writers such as Du Renjie and Zhang Yanghao. In the twelfth year of the Zhizheng era of Emperor Huizong of Yuan (1352), at the beginning of the year, the court conscripted nearby laborers to repair the breached Yellow River embankments. Due to extremely brutal supervision and arbitrary whipping of these laborers, Liu Futong from Yingchuan and Han Liner (son of Han Shantong) exploited the laborers' discontent to launch the Red Turban Rebellion. The armies participating in the Red Turban Rebellion attacked, looted, and slaughtered in major cities at the time (affecting high officials, wealthy merchants, and commoners alike). The Red Turban Rebellion forces were purely a band of uncontrollable bandits; in 1358, they crossed from Haining Prefecture to capture Jiaoxi Route, Yidu Route, and Jinan Route, among others. In 1362, Wang Baobao suppressed the previous Red Turban garrisons that had occupied Jinan Route, Jiaoxi Route, and Yidu Route.

In the first year of the Hongwu era of Ming (1368), Ming forces captured Jinan Route and established the Shandong Branch Secretariat. In the ninth year of Hongwu (1376), the provincial seat was moved from Qingzhou to Jinan, marking the beginning of Jinan's history as the capital of Shandong Province. At that time, Jinan Prefecture administered Licheng County and governed fifteen counties: Licheng, Zhangqiu, Zouping, Zichuan, Changshan, Xincheng, Qihe, Qidong, Jiyang, Yucheng, Linyi, Changqing, Feicheng, Qingcheng, and Lingxian, as well as four subprefectures: Tai'an, Dezhou, Wuding, and Binzhou, which in turn led eleven counties. Tai'an Subprefecture administered Xintai and Laiwu counties; Dezhou Subprefecture administered Deping and Pingyuan counties; Wuding Subprefecture administered Yangxin, Haifeng, Leling, and Shanghe counties; Binzhou Subprefecture administered Lijin, Zhanhua, and Putai counties. By the Jiajing, Wanli, and Tianqi eras (1521–1627), Jinan Prefecture had become the largest metropolis in the Central Plains at the time. In 1635, 1636, 1638, 1639, and 1642, the Manchus led troops five times to capture the Northern Zhili and Shandong Provincial Administration Commission, killing and looting countless people. Especially in 1642, when they captured Jinan Prefecture, they slaughtered and plundered wantonly before retreating, leaving 130,000 corpses piled inside and outside Jinan Prefecture's city walls. During the Shunzhi era of the Qing Dynasty, Shandong experienced multiple uprisings against Manchu rule, which were subsequently suppressed, causing significant damage to Shandong, particularly Jinan Prefecture. It is said that during that time, the land was barren for thousands of li by day, overgrown with wilderness, and at night, ghosts wailed and human traces were scarce (over a million people perished). During the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty, Jinan's commerce began to slowly recover and develop. It later became the seat of the Shandong Provincial Administration Commission.In 1904, Jinan opened its commercial port, leading to further development in industry and commerce. In 1911, the Tianjin-Pukou Railway was opened and passed through Jinan. In 1912, after the Qing government was overthrown and the Republic of China was established, Jinan was redesignated as Jinan City. During the Republican period, Jinan's industry and commerce flourished even more, with the opening of Ruifuxiang, Daguan Garden Commercial City, and Jinan Jiahe Cigarette Factory, and the commercial port area continued to expand. In 1928, the National Revolutionary Army, advancing northward, occupied Jinan. However, Japan used the pretext of "Northern Expedition forces killing Japanese residents in Jinan" to dispatch troops to Jinan on May 3 for retaliation, brutally killing Cai Gongshi, the special envoy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the National Government to Shandong, and 17 staff members in his office, followed by large-scale killing and looting of the city's residents, resulting in over 6,000 Jinan citizens being killed. This event is historically known as the "May 3rd Massacre." It was not until March 1929, after the Nanjing National Government signed the "Sino-Japanese Jinan Incident Agreement" with the Japanese government, that Japanese troops withdrew from Jinan. In July 1929, the Nanjing National Government established Jinan City by separating the county seat of Licheng, the commercial port outside the city, and its four suburbs, covering an area of 175 square kilometers. The city was divided into 10 districts: three inner-city districts, three outer-city districts, and four commercial port districts. On July 7, 1937, the War of Resistance Against Japan broke out. In December of the same year, Ma Liang went out of the city to welcome Japanese troops intending to invade Jinan, leading to the fall of Jinan. After occupying Jinan, the Japanese army divided the city into 11 districts: East Inner City, West Inner City, East Outer City, West Outer City, East Commercial Port, West Commercial Port, Central Commercial Port, East Suburban District, South Suburban District, West Suburban District, and North Suburban District. On August 15, 1945, Japan was defeated, and the National Government recovered Jinan in the same year. At that time, Jinan had 11 districts with a total area of 177.62 square kilometers. During the Second Chinese Civil War in 1948, the war led to nationwide hyperinflation, currency devaluation, and the complete collapse of Jinan's economy, causing the commercial port to gradually disappear. On September 24 of the same year, the People's Liberation Army occupied Jinan and established the Jinan Special Municipal Military Control Commission of the East China Military Region of the People's Liberation Army, Jinan Special Municipality, and the Jinan Special Municipal People's Government. In May 1949, it was redesignated as a provincial-level city under Shandong Province.

Modern History
After the founding of the People's Republic of China, Jinan underwent socialist transformation of industry and commerce, with shops and factories converted into public-private partnerships. During this period, renowned enterprises such as Sinotruk emerged. In 1958, Tai'an City and the counties of Zhangqiu, Changqing, Laiwu, Xintai, Licheng, and Ningyang from the Tai'an Special District were placed under the jurisdiction of Jinan City. In September 1959, Pingyin County and Feicheng County were placed under Jinan City, while Xinwen City was established and Changqing County was abolished. In 1960, Pingyin County was transferred to the Heze Special District. In 1961, the Tai'an Special District was restored, and eight counties (cities) under Jinan City, except Licheng County, were transferred back to the Tai'an Special District, restoring Jinan's administrative scope to its pre-1958 structure.

After the reform and opening-up, Jinan entered a recovery phase. Renowned enterprises such as Inspur and Luneng emerged successively, residents' living standards improved, and commerce, tourism, and sports also developed.

In 1978, Changqing and Zhangqiu counties were reincorporated into Jinan. After adjustments, Jinan City administered five districts—Lixia, Shizhong, Tianqiao, Huaiyin, and Suburban—and three counties—Licheng, Changqing, and Zhangqiu. In 1987, the Suburban District and Licheng County of Jinan City were abolished, and Licheng District of Jinan City was established. In 1989, Jiyang and Shanghe counties from the Dezhou Prefecture were placed under Jinan City. In 1992, Zhangqiu County was abolished and Zhangqiu City (a county-level city) was established. In February 1994, Jinan City was designated as a sub-provincial city. In 2001, Changqing County was abolished and Changqing District was established.

In 2004, Jinan became one of the main venues for the AFC Asian Cup, and the O-125 World Motorboat Championship was held at Daming Lake. In 2009, Jinan hosted the 11th National Games of the People's Republic of China. In 2013, Jinan also hosted the 10th China Art Festival. Taking advantage of the opportunities presented by hosting large-scale events, Jinan vigorously developed the Eastern New City and Western New City. During the 2012 Spring Festival, the municipal government relocated from No. 193 Jing'er Road, Jinan City, to the Long'ao Building, which was constructed during the National Games period, located at No. 1 Longding Avenue. In 2016, Zhangqiu City was abolished and Zhangqiu District of Jinan City was established. In 2018, Jiyang County was abolished and Jiyang District of Jinan City was established.

On January 9, 2019, the State Council approved the abolition of Laiwu City and placed its administrative regions under the jurisdiction of Jinan City. Jinan City established Laiwu District, with the administrative region of the former Laiwu City's Laicheng District as the administrative region of Laiwu District, and established Gangcheng District, with the administrative region of the former Laiwu City's Gangcheng District as the administrative region of Gangcheng District.

4. Geography

Climate Jinan is located in the mid-latitude zone. Influenced by solar radiation, atmospheric circulation, and geographical environment, it belongs to the warm temperate continental monsoon climate zone. Its characteristics are distinct monsoons, four distinct seasons, dry and rainless springs, warm and rainy summers, cool and dry autumns, and cold and snowy winters. The annual average temperature is 13.6°C, with a frost-free period of 235 days. The highest recorded temperature is 42.5°C (July 24, 1955), and the lowest is -19.7°C (January 17, 1953). The highest monthly average temperature is 27.2°C (July), and the lowest is -3.2°C (January). The annual average precipitation is 614.0 mm.

Jinan has a warm temperate semi-humid continental monsoon climate. Its features are pronounced monsoons, clearly defined seasons, dry and scant-rain springs, hot and rainy summers, relatively cool and refreshing autumns, and windy, cold winters. The average January temperature is -0.2°C, and the average July temperature is 27.6°C. The extreme maximum temperature is 42.5°C (July 24, 1955, urban area), and the extreme minimum is -26.8°C (December 8, 1985, Zhangqiu), with the urban area's extreme minimum being -19.7°C (January 17, 1953). The annual average temperature is 14.9°C, and the annual average precipitation is 702.5 mm. Precipitation in mountainous areas is higher, reaching about 710 mm, but due to sloping terrain, water retention is difficult. Summer precipitation in Jinan is higher than in typical northern cities. Combined with its topography of being surrounded by mountains on three sides, which causes moisture and warm air to accumulate and linger, this leads to hot and humid summers in Jinan. From 1951 to 2013, there were 19 days with a maximum daily temperature ≥40°C.

Jinan City is located at 36°40' north latitude and 117°00' east longitude. It lies south of Mount Tai and spans the Yellow River to the north, situated on the transitional belt between the low mountains and hills of central-southern Shandong and the alluvial plain of northwestern Shandong. The terrain is higher in the south and lower in the north. The topography can be divided into three zones: the northern Yellow River adjacent zone, the central piedmont plain zone, and the southern hilly mountainous zone. Major peaks within the city include the Great Wall Ridge, Paoma Ridge, Tizi Mountain, Heiniu Fortress, and others. The land area is 8,154 square kilometers, with mountains and hills covering over 3,000 square kilometers and plains covering about 5,000 square kilometers.

Surface Runoff The main rivers within Jinan are the Yellow River, Xiaoqing River, Tuhai River, and Dawen River. Besides these four major rivers with significant flow, there are also the Jinyang River and Jinxiu River in the southern mountainous area, which have strong seasonal characteristics, and the Zi River originating in Laiwu District. Lakes include Daming Lake (Lixia District), Yazhuang Lake, Xueye Lake, and others.

Spring Features Jinan is nicknamed the "Spring City" due to its numerous springs and abundant water flow, earning it the title of a natural karst spring museum. Within the city, hundreds of springs vie to gush forth, distributed among ten famous spring clusters: the Baotu Spring Cluster, Heihu Spring Cluster, Wulongtan Spring Cluster, Zhenzhu (Pearl) Spring Cluster, Bai Spring Cluster, Baimai Spring Cluster, Yuhe Spring Cluster, Yongquan Spring Cluster, Jiasa Spring Cluster, and the Hongfanchi Spring Cluster in Pingyin. All these ten spring clusters belong to the "Jinan Spring Group." The saying that there are "seventy-two famous springs" in Jinan is widespread and well-known.

The abundance of springs in Jinan is due to its unique topographic and geological structure. Jinan lies in the heart of Shandong Province, sandwiched between the low mountains and hills of central-southern Shandong and the alluvial plain of northwestern Shandong. It features a gentle monocline structure with a height difference of over 500 meters, naturally resulting in a terrain that is higher in the south and lower in the north within the urban area. This south-high, north-low topography facilitates the convergence of surface water and groundwater towards the city.

The underground of Jinan consists of soluble limestone. Over long geological periods, through multiple tectonic movements and prolonged dissolution, numerous solution grooves, pores, caves, and underground rivers have formed, creating an underground network capable of storing and transporting groundwater. A large amount of groundwater from the southern mountains flows northward along the limestone strata through an intricate network. Upon encountering the tightly organized magmatic rock in the northern suburbs, which acts like a natural stone wall, the watercourses are blocked and impounded. Eventually, this large volume of impounded groundwater, under great pressure, gushes to the surface through many fissures and channels connecting the underground to the surface, forming natural artesian springs. It is precisely this geological structure that, despite Jinan being located on the seismic belt of the Hebei Plain and the North Shandong Plain, allows underground vibrations to be effectively buffered to the greatest extent by the groundwater.

Water Conservancy Facilities As a major city in eastern China, to ensure urban water supply and maintain the flow of major spring clusters, Jinan has adopted measures such as shutting down most groundwater wells and switching to surface water sources. Therefore, large reservoirs have been constructed to the south, west, and north of the city to guarantee year-round tap water supply for the urban area.

In the south, within the watersheds of the Jinyang River, Jinxiu River, and Jinyun River, the main water conservancy facilities are Huangchao Reservoir, Jinxiuchuan Reservoir, and Wohushan Reservoir, all located in Licheng District, Jinan. In the west, the main facility is Yuqinghu Reservoir, which uses water from the Yellow River as its source. It is located at the border of Huaiyin District and Changqing District in Jinan. To the north of the city, there is Queshan Reservoir, also utilizing Yellow River water, located in Tianqiao District, Jinan. In addition to these large-scale facilities, many small ponds and earth dams have been built on the main rivers in the southern mountainous area. These small-scale facilities effectively reduce water flow velocity, minimize soil erosion, enhance groundwater recharge, and also ensure sufficient irrigation water for agriculture in the southern mountains.

Besides providing essential water sources for Jinan City, these water conservancy facilities also serve scenic functions. The vast water areas and wetland climates of the reservoirs attract many wild animals to inhabit the reservoir areas. Therefore, these reservoirs are also popular leisure destinations for Jinan residents. Additionally, aquaculture has been developed within the reservoirs, with freshwater fish being the main species.

5. Administrative Divisions

Jinan City currently administers 10 municipal districts and 2 counties.

Municipal Districts: Lixia District, Shizhong District, Huaiyin District, Tianqiao District, Licheng District, Changqing District, Zhangqiu District, Jiyang District, Laiwu District, Gangcheng District

Counties: Pingyin County, Shanghe County

Functional Zones: Jinan High-tech Industrial Development Zone, Jinan Start-up Area for the Replacement of Old Growth Drivers with New Ones

6. Economy

A map of Jinan from the late Qing Dynasty to the early Republic of China period shows that economic activities were then mainly concentrated in the commercial port area west of the old city (Jinan is labeled as Chi-Nan on this map). The western gate area of the ancient city had many shops during the Ming and Qing dynasties. By the late Qing Dynasty, the seeds of capitalism had begun to sprout in Jinan. In 1904, the Governor of Shandong, together with Yuan Shikai, the then Viceroy of Zhili, petitioned the Qing court to open a commercial port in Jinan, "permitting foreign merchants from various countries and Chinese merchants to lease land for trade within the designated area." Since the opening of the port, Jinan's industry and commerce developed rapidly, gradually transforming it into a major commercial city. The early 20th century saw the convergence of the Jiaoji Railway (built by Germany) and the Jinpu Railway in Jinan, further promoting its prosperity. Notable commercial districts at the time included "One Lane, Two Roads, Three Streets, Four Markets" (namely, Jianzi Lane, Jing'er Road, Guyi Market Street, Kuangshi Street, Puli Street, Wanzixiang Market, Daguan Garden Market, New Market, and National Goods Market). Famous shops and vendors included the Ten Major Warehouses, Eight Major Cotton Firms, and Ten Major Sauce and Pickle Gardens, mostly clustered around Jingyi Road, Jing'er Road, and Weiqi Road. Ruifuxiang also originated in Jinan.

During the Chinese Civil War in 1948, due to the conflict, Jinan's commercial port and markets gradually declined, with a large number of businesses closing down and the economy shrinking accordingly. In recent years, Jinan has been committed to large-scale, holistic redevelopment of the commercial port area, with certain restrictions on planning and development.

Economic Aggregate According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics yearbook, the city's economic aggregate in 2007 was 256.3 billion yuan, with the primary, secondary, and tertiary industries accounting for 5.9%, 45.2%, and 48.9% respectively. In 2008, Jinan's GDP reached 301.7 billion yuan, ranking 6th among provincial capitals, behind Guangzhou (821.5 billion), Hangzhou (478.1 billion), Wuhan (396 billion), Chengdu (390.1 billion), and Nanjing (377.5 billion). In 2009, Jinan's GDP was 335 billion yuan, an increase of 11.3% from 2008, ranking 21st nationally and 7th among provincial capitals. Among provincial capitals and municipalities directly under the central government, it was behind Shanghai (1,490.09 billion), Beijing (1,186.59 billion), Guangzhou (911.27 billion), Tianjin (750.08 billion), Chongqing (652.87 billion, with the main urban area of Chongqing at 569.74 billion), Hangzhou (508.8 billion), Wuhan (456 billion), Chengdu (450.26 billion), Shenyang (435.9 billion), Nanjing (423.02 billion), and Changsha (374.5 billion), but higher than Zhengzhou (330 billion). In 2011, Jinan's gross municipal product was 440.629 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 10.6%. Calculated based on the resident population, the per capita GDP was 64,331 yuan, an increase of 8.9%, equivalent to 9,960 USD. In 2016, Jinan's gross regional product was 653.61 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 7.8%. Calculated based on the resident population, the per capita regional product was 90,999 yuan, an increase of 6.5%; converted at the annual average exchange rate, this was 13,700 USD. In 2022, Jinan's regional gross product was 1,202.75 billion yuan. Calculated at constant prices, this represented a growth of 3.1%. The value added of the primary industry was 42.05 billion yuan, up 3.1%; the secondary industry was 418.02 billion yuan, up 3.2%; and the tertiary industry was 742.67 billion yuan, up 3.0%. The ratio of the three industries was 3.5:34.8:61.7. In 2024, the city's regional gross product was 1,352.76 billion yuan. Calculated at constant prices, this was a year-on-year increase of 5.4%. The value added of the primary industry was 44.0 billion yuan, up 3.6%; the secondary industry was 451.92 billion yuan, up 5.8%; and the tertiary industry was 856.84 billion yuan, up 5.2%. The ratio of the three industries was 3.3:33.4:63.3.

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7. Education

As the capital of Shandong Province, Jinan is home to several higher education institutions such as Shandong University, Shandong Normal University, University of Jinan, Shandong University of Finance and Economics, and Qilu University of Technology. During the Cultural Revolution in the 1960s and 1970s, Mao Zedong called for universities to relocate to remote areas, leading some institutions in Jinan to move to prefecture-level cities like Tai'an. After the Cultural Revolution, most of these institutions returned. In 2003, the construction of the Changqing University Science Park began, attracting a number of universities to establish campuses there. In addition, many primary and secondary education institutions, such as Shandong Experimental High School, also have a long history.

8. Population

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, the city's permanent resident population was 9,202,432. Compared with the 8,112,513 people from the Sixth National Population Census, there was an increase of 1,089,919 people over the past ten years, representing a growth of 13.44%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.27%. Among them, the male population was 4,612,797, accounting for 50.13% of the total population; the female population was 4,589,635, accounting for 49.87% of the total population. The overall sex ratio (with females as 100) was 100.5. The population aged 0–14 was 1,512,643, accounting for 16.44% of the total population; the population aged 15–59 was 5,852,677, accounting for 63.6% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 1,837,112, accounting for 19.96% of the total population, among which the population aged 65 and above was 1,294,977, accounting for 14.07% of the total population. The urban population was 6,760,007, accounting for 73.46% of the total population; the rural population was 2,442,425, accounting for 26.54% of the total population.

By the end of 2024, the permanent resident population was 9.515 million, an increase of 78,000 people compared to the previous year, representing a growth of 0.8%. Among them, the urban permanent resident population was 7.254 million, accounting for 76.2% of the total population (urbanization rate of permanent residents), an increase of 1.0 percentage points from the previous year. The registered population was 8.272 million, an increase of 2.3%. Throughout the year, the reported number of births was 65,000, with a birth rate of 7.9‰; the reported number of deaths was 73,000, with a death rate of 8.9‰, resulting in a natural population growth rate of -1.0‰.

9. Ethnic Groups

Among the city's resident population, the Han ethnic group comprises 9,055,707 people, accounting for 98.41%; ethnic minorities total 146,725 people, making up 1.59%. Compared with the 2010 Sixth National Population Census, the Han population increased by 1,074,362 people, a growth of 13.46%, with its proportion in the total population rising by 0.02 percentage points; the ethnic minority population increased by 15,557 people, a growth of 11.86%, while its proportion in the total population decreased by 0.02 percentage points.

Among China's 56 ethnic groups, 42 reside in Jinan City. The Han ethnic group accounts for 98.31% of the population, the Hui ethnic group for 1.62%, and other ethnic minorities have smaller populations.

10. Culture

Language Jinan dialect belongs to the Liaotai subgroup of the Shiji cluster within the Ji-Lu Mandarin branch. It is spoken in the six districts of Shizhong, Lixia, Huaiyin, Tianqiao, Licheng, and Changqing. It differs little from Standard Mandarin, and those who understand Mandarin can easily comprehend Jinan dialect. However, since the reform and opening-up, especially with the increase of migrants coming to Jinan for work and settlement since the 1990s, the "new Jinan natives" born in the 1990s typically use Standard Mandarin at home and in school. This has led to a gradual decline in the number of Jinan dialect speakers and a loss of traditional Jinan vocabulary.

The tones in Jinan dialect are relatively straightforward. Generally, in disyllabic words, if the first character is the first tone in Standard Mandarin, it becomes the third tone in Jinan dialect; if it is the third tone in Standard Mandarin, it becomes the first tone in Jinan dialect (i.e., a first-third tone swap). If the final character is the first tone, it usually remains the first tone in most cases. If the final character is the second tone in Standard Mandarin, it becomes the fourth tone in Jinan dialect. The fourth tone is largely similar. In terms of syntax, the Jinan dialect has its own characteristics in comparative sentences, A-not-A questions, and complement structures, but its basic word order and primary sentence organization do not differ significantly from Standard Mandarin. Therefore, most people can understand Jinan dialect, though many dialectal phrases and slang require additional explanation.

Furthermore, the Laiwu dialect spoken in Laiwu District and Gangcheng District, and the Pingyin dialect spoken in Pingyin County, belong to the same Liaotai subgroup as the Jinan dialect. The Zhangqiu dialect spoken in Zhangqiu District belongs to the Zhangli cluster of Ji-Lu Mandarin. The Jiyang dialect spoken in Jiyang District belongs to the Yangshou subgroup of the Canghui cluster within Ji-Lu Mandarin. The Shanghe dialect spoken in Shanghe County belongs to the Huangle subgroup of the Canghui cluster within Ji-Lu Mandarin.

Religion

• Buddhism Buddhism in Jinan began to develop during the Sui and Tang dynasties and flourished for a period thereafter. The eminent Jinan monk Yijing, following in the footsteps of the Tang monk Xuanzang, traveled to India to retrieve Buddhist scriptures and translated over a hundred Buddhist texts.

There are numerous Buddhist sites within Jinan. The Simen Pagoda in Licheng is the oldest existing stone pagoda in China. The Xingguo Chan Temple on Thousand Buddha Mountain, built during the Sui Dynasty, is one of the key Buddhist temples in Han Chinese regions nationwide. Other Buddhist relics can be found at places like Lingyan Temple, Qingtong Mountain, Yuhan Mountain, and Longdong Cave.

• Taoism During the Yuan Dynasty, a Taoist temple named Beiji Pavilion was built on the shore of Daming Lake, dedicated to the Dark Warrior (Xuanwu).

• Islam The Libai Mosque, located on Libaisi Street in Jinan's Shizhong District, is one of the early famous mosques of Chinese Islam. It suffered severe damage during the Cultural Revolution and was later renovated with funds raised from various sectors of Jinan society after the reform and opening-up. The two large circular windows in the rear hall are carved with Quranic scriptures, making them rare treasures of classical Chinese Islamic art.

• Catholicism In 1870, Father Eugène-Louis Couplet purchased land in Hongjialou, eastern suburbs of Jinan, to build a church. In 1902, Dutch Franciscan missionary Ephrem Giesen used the Boxer Indemnity paid by the Chinese government after the Eight-Nation Alliance invasion to commence construction of a new church in Hongjialou, which is today's Hongjialou Cathedral, the largest church in North China. This church was closed in 1966 during the Cultural Revolution, and all religious activities were strictly prohibited throughout Jinan. On Christmas Day in 1985, after the reform and opening-up, Hongjialou Cathedral reopened, and Catholic Christians in Jinan held a grand mass there.

Literature Throughout history, Jinan has produced many literary figures, the most famous being the "Two Ans of Jinan": Li Qingzhao (style name Yi'an) and Xin Qiji (courtesy name You'an). Li Qingzhao is the most famous female ci poet in Chinese history. Her ci poems possess a unique artistic style, creating the "Yi'an style," and she is also regarded as the master of the "Graceful and Restrained School." Xin Qiji is considered a representative figure of the "Heroic and Unconstrained School" and is hailed as the "Dragon among Ci Poets." Zhang Yanghao of the Yuan Dynasty achieved great mastery in sanqu poetry, and Yuanqu reached its peak during his time.

Many renowned poets and writers from various dynasties have also visited Jinan, including Li Bai and Du Fu from the Tang Dynasty; Zeng Gong and Su Shi from the Song Dynasty; Yuan Haowen from the Jin and Yuan periods; Li Panlong and Wang Xiangchun from the Ming Dynasty; Wang Shizhen and Pu Songling from the Qing Dynasty; and Lao She from the Republican era. Du Fu once wrote in a poem: "East of the fiefdom rests the black canopy, North of the islet towers the clear river. To the east of the sea stands this ancient pavilion, Jinan is home to many famous scholars." Here, "this pavilion" refers to the Lixia Pavilion on the island in Daming Lake. Lao She's essay "Winter in Jinan" has been selected for the Chinese primary school language textbook published by the People's Education Press. Today, a Lao She Memorial Hall is also built on the south shore of Daming Lake.

Folklore Since the Yuan Dynasty, Jinan has held a temple fair on Thousand Buddha Mountain every year on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month (the Double Ninth Festival). In the past, most fairgoers would purchase a certain quantity of persimmons, leading to its nickname, the "Persimmon Festival." At its peak, the number of various stalls on Thousand Buddha Mountain could exceed 1,000. Medicinal merchants from all over the country would take this opportunity to trade herbs on the mountain, which was separately known as the "Medicine Market Fair." During the temple fair, there were also various acrobatic, circus, song, and dance performances.

In recent years, the Thousand Buddha Mountain Temple Fair remains prosperous, held during the Spring Festival period, the third day of the third lunar month, and the Double Ninth Festival. Taking the Spring Festival temple fair as an example, many citizens come to burn incense and pray for blessings, with various folk activities. Events like drum-beating also allow public participation. Vendors seize the opportunity to set up stalls along the mountain path, selling goods, mainly featuring local snacks and handicrafts, along with bookstalls and other specialty stalls.

• Baotu Spring Lantern Festival Since 1980, Jinan has held a lantern festival at Baotu Spring Park during the Lantern Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival every year without interruption. The lantern festival primarily features old Jinan characteristics and also attracts many tourists from other regions and abroad. In recent years, the lantern festival has emphasized environmental protection, innovation, and participation. Not only have LED lights gradually replaced the original halogen lights, but interactive lantern installations have also been created for public participation, such as QR code prize draws and photo synthesis.

• Floating River Lanterns According to local Jinan legend, the thirtieth day of the seventh lunar month is the day Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva attained enlightenment in Buddhism. He vowed to save all sentient beings with sins, delivering them from suffering. To "release souls from purgatory," every year on the evening of the thirtieth day of the seventh lunar month, Jinan citizens and monks from temples would make numerous river lanterns and paper boats to float on the moat and Daming Lake water. Taoist priests from Beiji Temple also commemorated the deceased on this day. They placed many "dharma boats" by Daming Lake, performed rituals on the shore, and then burned the "dharma boats" one by one, creating a spectacular scene. This custom completely disappeared after the Cultural Revolution.

• Floating Wine Cups along a Winding Stream Since the Wei and Jin dynasties, Jinan citizens and literati have held a poetic wine banquet called "Floating Wine Cups along a Winding Stream" on the third day of the third lunar month, the Shangsi Festival. People would sit around a winding stream, place a tray with wine cups upstream, and let it drift along the water flow. If the tray stopped, the person nearest to the stopped cup had to drink wine and compose a poem. Failure to compose a poem resulted in a penalty drink. Li Daoyuan of the Northern Wei Dynasty wrote in his book Commentary on the Water Classic: "Below the Licheng Temple, springs compete to emerge, flowing north past the east of Licheng City and further north, where water is diverted to form the Floating Cup Pond. Officials and guests, both public and private, often gather there for banquets." Later research confirmed that the "Floating Cup Pond" is today's Wangfu Pond. The stream where citizens held their poetic wine banquets was its tributary, called the "Winding Stream River." The street and alley where it was located thus became known as Qu Shui Ting Street (Winding Stream Pavilion Street). This custom ceased by the late Qing and early Republican era.

• Architecture Jinan currently has over 50 completed or topped-out buildings exceeding 150 meters in height, mainly concentrated in the Jinan CBD and High-Tech Zone. The tallest completed building is the 333-meter Jinan Yunding Tower. The tallest topped-out building is the 428-meter Shandong International Financial Center.

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Lixia District

Licheng District

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Willow tree

Lotus, Rose