Daming Lake Scenic Area in Jinan. [Photo/Dazhong News]

Jinan recently released a draft of the "overall plan for Daming Lake Scenic Area (2023-2035)", which covers various aspects such as the scope of the area, zoning, hierarchical protection, and transportation facilities.

The Daming Lake Scenic Area will implement three levels of protection and set up six scenic units to enhance the lotus and willow landscapes and the "Jinan After Dark: A Glimmering Festival of Lights". By 2035, the city seeks to connect the area with Beihu Lake for navigational purposes, reserve access to the Xiaoqing River, and promote the connectivity of the river-lake system including Daming Lake, Beihu Lake, Xiaoqing River, and Huashan Lake.

According to the plan, the scenic area will be expanded to 103.74 hectares, extending east to North Heihuquan Road, south to Daminghu Road, and connecting to the west city moat and north city moat.

The scenic area will be upgraded into a spatial structure of "one belt, one core, six zones, and sixty attractions".

According to the plan, the scenic area comprises 22 natural scenic resources, accounting for 36.67 percent of the total resources, and 38 cultural scenic resources, accounting for 63.33 percent of the total resources.

The Daming Lake Scenic Area is an important part of Jinan's distinctive features and the only urban lake in China formed by the convergence of numerous springs. It is characterized by its typical springwater heritage and is significant both culturally and historically.

In August 2013, the scenic area was rated as a national 5A tourist attraction. Since Jan 1, 2017, the scenic area has been open to the public for free, serving as an ideal place for morning exercise, leisure activities, and sightseeing. It has also played a positive role in promoting the development of the tourism industry in Jinan and driving economic growth.