As schools across China reopen and the summer travel season draws to a close, online travel platform Trip.com has released its “2025 Summer Travel Market Report.” The findings highlight Jinan, capital of Shandong Province, as one of the “Top 8 Domestic Short-Haul Travel Destinations,” driven by the city’s distinctive spring water culture and strong appeal for weekend and family getaways.
According to the report, Jinan saw hotel bookings rise by 8% year-on-year this summer. While this growth was below Shandong’s provincial average of 16%, Jinan stood out for its steady performance in the short-haul market. Most visitors came from within Shandong and the nearby Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, with Beijing, Qingdao, Weifang, Shanghai, and Yantai ranking as the top five source cities. More than 40% of visitors were from Shandong itself, underscoring Jinan’s role as a hub for 1-to-3-hour travel circles.
Outbound travel patterns mirrored this trend: Jinan residents flocked to nearby cities like Qingdao, Beijing, and Yantai, with coastal destinations proving especially popular. This created a cultural-seaside tourism linkage within the province, strengthening Jinan’s role in the regional travel network.
Family Travel and Self-Drive Tourism on the Rise
The report also revealed that family travelers accounted for 35% of summer tourism nationwide, with self-drive trips up 77% year-on-year. Jinan mirrored this national trend, as family-oriented attractions such as Fangte Oriental Heritage Park, Baotu Spring, and Daming Lake became major draws. Activities like cultural performances, hands-on heritage workshops, science tours on Jinan’s famous springs, and lake boating experiences attracted families seeking both leisure and education.
Car rentals also surged among Jinan families, reflecting the growing preference for flexible, self-drive short trips to surrounding attractions. This shift further boosted Jinan’s profile as a short-haul tourism hotspot.
Natural Wonders Keep Drawing Visitors
Even as summer waned, Jinan’s iconic Baotu Spring continued to attract large crowds. Recent rainfall lifted underground water levels, creating the spectacular “Baotu surging” phenomenon, where water gushes upward in dramatic fashion.
Meanwhile, Jinan’s Crescent Spring—one of the city’s famed “72 springs”—came back to life after heavy rains, producing the rare “Crescent Waterfall” spectacle. The sight was so remarkable that it drew national media coverage, with CCTV’s “China News” spotlighting Jinan’s vibrant spring culture.
Adding to Jinan’s seasonal appeal, Liyang Lake, located in the city’s central district, has become a new favorite for autumn leisure. With its 350 acres of clear waters, willow-lined shores, and wildflowers in bloom, the lake offers a poetic escape for both residents and tourists.
A Rising Tourism Hub
By securing a spot in China’s Top 8 short-haul travel destinations, Jinan has reaffirmed its growing reputation as a family-friendly, culture-rich, and accessible city. Its combination of natural spring wonders, cultural heritage, and convenient location has made it a standout destination in China’s booming domestic travel market.