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Baotu Spring is located in Baotu Spring Park southwest of the old Jinan City. The spring pool is rectangular with water 30 meters long, 18 meters wide and 2.2 meters deep. It used to occupy an area only of two thirds of an acre, then was expanded the grounds to about 9 acres. All the old buildings and relics there have been restored. The springs and ponds have been thoroughly dredged, and the banks lined with stones. Lawns and rockeries have been built and numerous trees and flower planted.
Baotu Spring has a long history of more than 2,600 years, with its earliest account in “Spring and Autumn Annals”. It is the symbol of Jinan, also named Jet Spring. It is known not only as the first of the 72 springs in Jinan but as the “First Spring under Heaven”.
Baotu Spring was formed because of Jinan's special geographical position and geological structure. The spring water spurts out in three prongs, with water droplets falling around, just like three piles of snow, which is very spectacular. As the natural spring water is both pure in quality and mellow in taste, it could be directly used for drinking. When water bursts out through the three outlets, the spring gives thunderous sounds, and water columns surge upward, looking like spinning wheels. The spring keeps its temperature at about 18 degree Celsius all year round. In the cold winter, mist rises from and hangs over the spring pond, and the clear, deep spring water reflects the ancient-styled buildings with colorful carvings and upturned eaves. The landscape presents a picturesque view of a paradise on earth. Poems and prose have been written for the spring view. The spring water is very sweet, optimum for making tea, which is limpid in color, rich in aroma, and good in taste. Sitting under the "Watching Crane Pavilion" in the east side of the spring with a cup of tea in hand, one's mind will fly faraway and hates to leave.
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