Chinese and international experts and enthusiasts of "spring" culture got together in Jinan, the capital of East China's Shandong province, on Sept 7 to promote the cultural significance of the springs in Jinan, which is known as the "city of springs".

"I love taking a stroll along the shores of Daming Lake and enjoying the serene atmosphere," said Ken Cari, a recipient of the Friendship Ambassador Award from the Jinan People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and an employee of Shandong Santolun International Human Resources Services Co.

The American, who has been living in Jinan for 14 years, said he has a deep affection for the city and its unique spring culture.

Peter, an Austrian coffee connoisseur who has worked in more than 30 countries, shared his experience as the owner of a coffee shop in Jinan. Inspired by the fusion of Jinan's spring water and Austrian coffee, Peter said he is hoping to combine coffee culture with the local flavors of Jinan. "I hope to build a bridge of cultural exchange between the East and West through a cup of coffee," he said.

Yukteshwar Kumar, former deputy mayor of Bath and a professor at the University of Bath in the United Kingdom, expressed his hopes that the interaction and cooperation between scholars in the areas of spring landscape preservation will be strengthened.

Zhang Xiaoguo, chairman of Shandong Guoxin International Travel Agency, said that Jinan has become a popular tourist city in recent years, and that he believes this trend demonstrates Jinan's confidence in developing a vibrant cultural tourism industry.

Chinese and international experts and enthusiasts of "spring" culture pose for a group photo in Jinan. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]