Daming Lake Scenic Area is located in the northeast of the center of Jinan City, in the northern part of the old urban area. It is a park integrating water scenery, garden landscapes, and ancient architecture. Daming Lake is at the center of the park, and one could even say that the park is built around the lake. Daming Lake is a natural lake, whose water source comes from numerous springs within the city. There is a saying that "numerous springs converge here", and it has a long history, dating back to the Northern Wei Dynasty.

The Daming Lake Scenic Area is divided into an old scenic area and a new scenic area. There are a total of 16 scenic spots throughout the area. Strolling around here is like wandering through an ink - wash painting. In addition, the entire scenic area is connected to the Ring - City River, forming a lakeside leisure - touring landscape line. The beautiful water and land scenery in the park is continuous. It was also a gathering place for celebrities and refined scholars in the past. Now, visitors can visit the Lao She Memorial Hall here, as well as Jiaxuan Garden, which showcases the life stories of Xin Qiji.

The Daming Lake Scenic Area has four gates: the east gate, the south gate, the west gate, and the north gate. Entering from each gate offers different views. Entering from the east gate leads to the old scenic area. The main scenery here is "Zeng Dyke Winding with Water". The Zeng Dyke is a long dyke in the east of the scenic area that connects the north and the south. It is also the only way from the south bank of Daming Lake to Beizhu Pavilion. Willow trees on the dyke provide shade, and the lake water on both sides of the dyke surges with waves. Next to the Zeng Dyke is the Chaoran Tower. One can climb to a high place in the tower to overlook the scenery of the entire Daming Lake. This is one of the 16 scenic spots of Daming Lake, "Chaoran Zhiyuan" (meaning looking far into the distance from the Chaoran Tower).

Walking southward along the Zeng Dyke towards the south gate leads to the new scenic area. There are seven bridges with different styles here, which is the "Seven Bridges and Moonlit Scenery" among the 16 scenic spots. The Quehua Bridge among them has a long history and is relatively well - known. The Lao She Memorial Hall is located in this scenic spot. Walking westward after passing the south gate, one can reach "Jiaxuan Youyun" among the 16 scenic spots. It is located between the south gate and the west gate. Jiaxuan Garden was originally named Jiaxuan Shrine, which was established to commemorate the patriotic hero Xin Qiji. Everywhere here exudes the atmosphere of Xin Qiji's patriotic sentiment and his military life.

From here, one can take a cruise ship in the scenic area to the small island in the middle of the lake. There is a Lixia Pavilion on the island. The plaque with gold characters on a red background above the pavilion was hand - written by Emperor Qianlong. On the wall of the pavilion, the full text of "Ode to the Ancient Lixia Pavilion" written by Pu Songling for this pavilion is engraved. This is "Lixia Autumn Breeze", one of the 16 scenic spots.

Continuing to take a cruise ship from here to the north of the scenic area, near the east gate, there is a "Huibo Tower". Climbing to the top of the Huibo Tower, one can overlook Foshan Mountain to the south and the Quehua Bridge to the north. Below the Huibo Tower is the clear water of Daming Lake. Whenever the sun is setting, the lake surface sparkles with light. This is "Huibo Evening Glow", one of the 16 scenic spots.

After getting off the Huibo Tower and walking westward, passing the north gate, one can come to "Canglang Lotus Rhyme", one of the 16 scenic spots. Here, there are the Tie Gong Shrine, the Canglang Pavilion, and the Xiaocanglang Pavilion. Every summer, lotus flowers bloom on the river, which is very beautiful.

In addition to walking, taking a cruise ship is also a good choice for visiting Daming Lake. Boating on Daming Lake is both relaxing and allows for sightseeing. If you're tired from strolling, there are restaurants at the north gate and the south gate for tourists to replenish energy, though the prices are relatively higher than those outside the park. Tourists who don't want to eat in the park can bring their own food or go to Furong Street outside the south gate. It is a street full of snacks, offering good - quality food at affordable prices.