Daming Lake () is the largest lake in the city of Jinan, Shandong, China and one of city's main natural and cultural landmarks. Located to the north of the historical city center, the lake is fed by the artesian karst springs of the area and hence retains a fairly constant water level through the entire year.
Islands
Located in the lake are nine small islands: Cuiliuping Island (), also known as () Niaoqingqiqi Island () Guting Island (), the location of the Lixia Pavilion Mingshi Island () Huiquan Island () Huxin Island () Jiaxuan Island () Qiuliu Island () Huju Island ()
Buildings
The lake is surrounded by a park with an ensemble of historical buildings, some of which stand on the islands in the lake:
Lixia Pavilion
The Lixia Pavilion () is located on an island off the lake's east shore. The pavilion is said to mark the spot of a meeting between the Tang dynasty poet Du Fu and the calligrapher Li Yong (, 678–747). The pavilion was rebuilt in 1693 and features inscriptions by the Qing-dynasty calligrapher He Shaoji and the Kangxi Emperor.
Lake Center Pavilion
The Lake Center Pavilion () is set on an island near the lake's center.
Moon-lit Pavilion
The Moon-lit Pavilion () is located on the north-eastern shore of the lake. It is connected to a large hall via a bridge. Military governor Han Fuju had an emergency escape tunnel constructed that connected the basement of this hall to the outer city. The tunnel was used by Kuomintang general Wang Yaowu to escape from the city at the end of the Battle of Jinan.
Jiuqu Pavilion
The Jiuqu Pavilion () is located on the southwest shore of the Lake.
Haoran Pavilion
The Haoran Pavilion () stands on the lake's south shore.
Ancestral Hall of Lord Tie
The Ancestral Hall of Lord Tie () is located on the northwest shore of the Lake. It is a memorial to Tie Xuan, a Ming-dynasty official during the reign of the Jianwen Emperor. Tie Xuan was renowned for his heroism and loyalty in the defense of the city against the rebelling Prince Zhu Di, the later Yongle Emperor. The memorial hall was erected during the times of the Qing dynasty.
Xiaocanglang Pavilion
The Xiaocanglang Pavilion () is located on the lake's northwest shore.
Huiquan Hall
Huiquan Hall ()
Beiji Temple
Beiji Temple () is a taoist temple dedicated to Xuan Wu, the god of the North. It was first built in the early Yuan dynasty, but rebuilt during the reign of the Yongle Emperor of the Ming dynasty. Numerous renovations were carried out during the Qing dynasty. The temple contains several halls as well as a bell and a drum tower. It stands on a seven-meter tall base and covers an area of 1078 square meters.
Huibo Building
The Huibo Building () is located near the east gate of Daming Lake Park. It stands on the site of the watergate that controls the outflow of the Daming Lake into the Xiaoqing River.
Nanfeng Ancestral Hall
The Nanfeng Ancestral Hall () is a memorial to the Song-dynasty scholar Zeng Gong. The present structure has been rebuilt in 1829.
Jiaxuan Ancestral Hall
The Jiaxuan Ancestral Hall () commemorates Xin Qiji, a military leader and statesman of the Southern Song dynasty who was born in Jinan. The temple buildings cover a total area of 1400 square meters. Converted for other uses during the Republic of China, the temple was restored to its present function in 1961.
Oushen's Temple
Oushen's Temple () is a memorial temple that was originally dedicated to the Goddess of the Lotus Root. During the Qing dynasty it was rededicated to the memory of Li Qingzhao
Daming Lake Nanfeng Theater
The Daming Lake Nanfeng Theater () is located in the courtyard of the Nanfeng Ancestral Hall and was constructed during the late Qing dynasty.
Gardens
The park that surrounds Daming Lake features six traditional Chinese gardens:
Xia Garden
The Xia Garden () is a traditional courtyard garden that is located to the south of the lake and covers an area of about 9600 square meters. The garden dates back to the year 1909 and was formerly part of the Shandong Provincial Library.
Jiaxuan Garden
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Qiuliu Garden
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Huju Garden
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Nanfeng Garden
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Qishi Guanyu Garden
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