Jinan, capital of East China's Shandong province, is definitely worth a visit in July.

Dubbed the City of Springs, Jinan is home to 72 famous springs, including Baotu Spring and Black Tiger Spring, giving the city a distinct feel.

Spring water can be found in many of the city's gardens, residences, lakes, and a host of other areas.

For 4,000 years people have been drinking the clear water from over 800 springs in the area. This long history has been absorbed into the central identity of the city today.

Blooming lotus flowers at Daming Lake are a highlight in scorching July. People can even rent boats and go out on the lake to admire the scenery among blooming lotus flowers. On Chaoran Pavilion, one also can admire views of the entire city.

Qianfo, Huashan, and Hero mountains also offer great views in summer and give visitors a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.

The temple fair on Qianfo Mountain is also popular among visitors. A dazzling array of folk handicrafts and tourist products are on offer there, including sugar paintings, dough figures, and cloth artworks.

At sunset, the night markets begin to open. Booths on Baihuazhou Street, the Huanlian night market, and the Greenland night market are all worth a visit, as they put on opera performances in addition to selling cultural and creative products of all kinds.

Baotu Spring Park in Jinan [Photo/WeChat account: jnslyj]

Baihuazhou Street in Jinan [Photo/WeChat account: jnslyj]