Dai Temple （岱庙） situated at the foot of Taishan was built dedicating to the Supreme Deity of Taoism. In the past, it was a royal temple where Emperors and Royal families came to get blessed before going up the temples on top of the mountain to do sacrifices. Today, many locals practiced the same. They came here to put up an offering incense to request for safety and peace of mind before ascending up the mountains. The gorgeous arch in front of Tao Dai Temple exhibits its attractive fine carving of dragons, floral designs of ancient Chinese.
The arch and temple structure have a history of more than a thousand years.
The royal commemorative gravestones with turtle base, though inscriptions could not be recognized clearly, marked the high period of Dai Temple's history.
The main shrine where The Emperor and royal members praying and offering sacrifices and librations to Supreme God 玉皇大帝 (Yu Huang Dai Di), was more than 1000 yrs old.
Supreme Deity God of Taoism is enshrined inside the temple.enclosed by a protective wall.
The old bronze caldron with lion-head handle and dragons carvings, in front of the little pretty pavilion at the side of Dai Temple was an historical artifact.
The original centuries old protective wall.
There were variety of Peony flowers, fully blossom at the surroundings of the Temple.
Apple cherry tree, botanically named Pyrus Spectabilis (海棠树) blossom with bright red flowers in the compound of Dai Temple. It is in the category of Japanese Sakura, but with brighter color, multi-pedals and dense flower stocks in single branch.
Paying US$25.00 to watch this show at Tai An was indeed expensive but using man-sized puppet to perform Chinese calligraphy and changing face was fantastic.
The skillful tea pouring art performed by young ladies also was interesting.
The man-sized puppet only able to perform calligraphy arts but also face changing show. It is interesting!
Daming Lake which literally means Lake of Great Splendor lies in the historical center of Jinang City in Shandong. It is a natural lake formed from numerous springs and its uniqueness comes from the constant water level that is unaffected by heavy rain or drought. Covering an area of 113 acres, Lake Daminghu is the largest lake in the city of Jinang and is one of its main natural and cultural landmarks.
The south entrance of Lake Daminghu.
Over the centuries, Lake of Daminghu due to its cultural significance, attracts visits of many artists, scholars and political figures. Artistic stone sculpture and master piece calligraphy of China Great Man, Mao-Ze-Dong (毛泽东) displayed at the main entrance, attract many's attention.
Chairman Mao, while on the way to participate the civil war around south east part of China, encountered the double ninth autumn festive Senior Day. He wrote this poem to express his sentimental feeling. It was the 9th day of 9th lunar month 1929. To my understanding, the meaning of his poem was something like: Men easily getting old but not the sky, Every year has double ninth autumn festive and today again is the autumn festive. Yellow flowers spreading over a battled ground were especially fragrant. Year after year, the strong autumn wind continue to blow. The sight is not as gorgeous as in the spring but is more magnificent than the sight in Spring. Miles of white frost glittered over the vast galaxy sky above the river surface.
Along the bank of Lake Daminghu, glory pine trees and spring willow decorated the lake side into a romantic walkway but while enjoying its green and wave also suffer breathing in the willows catkins.
Huge bush of Cotton-liked white willow catkins either dropped off to ground like this or being sucked into human body. Mask is a necessity at willow parks in spring summer season or you need vacuum cleaner for your lungs?! The pond in the garden was dyed into a piece of modern art by willow catkins.
The park and the surroundings include the lake covers an area of 212 acres. .
There are several islands in the Lake, building with pavilions and growing with flowers, trees and other fauna. One of the pavilion on the lake carried a romantic legend of Qing Emperor. It was said that this was the venue where Emperor Qianlong fell in love with a young girl and had a baby girl borne out of the palace. The princess was finally found and reunion with the Emperor after her mother's death. The story was shoot into TV series film few years ago.
The crystal clear Daming Lake (大明湖) is basically a central pool for all flows from Jinan.
The significant scene of Daminghu are those willows swinging along with the water breeze. Three sides of the lake are circled up by willow trees.
The glorious pine and chestnut trees.
The building is the home and memorial hall of Chinese very famous female poet
Lee Qing Zhou （李清照 1084-1155）. Jinang was found out to be the birthplace of this brilliant lady from Song Dynasty.
Bao Tu Spring (趵突泉) Tramping and Leaping Spring exists since 1000 yrs ago. Water rapidly bubbling out from underground and sometimes spurt up 30-40 cm high with 3 fountains at a time roaring with thundering sound. At all times, water temperature maintains within 18 degree.
The prominent feature in the spring landscape at Bau Tu Garden. Water streaming out from the pond carried with it cotton-like willow catkins.
Huang River flows into Jinan after meandering through 8 provinces, remained untamed. While irrigated and enriched the area it brought damages as well. In 1946 Jinan started to raise embankment and spent much money in maintenance. The flood was successfully under control.
The great Huang River fertilized 7 counties of Jinan territory, stretched a distance of 180 km finally heading towards its final destination, the gulf of 渤海 Bo Sea.
The magnificent mother river of China, Yellow River Huanghe.
Places near the river have converted into a touristic garden.
