Weekend trip within 2 hours｜Weekend city escape plan, head to Zhangqiu

Working people’s weekend getaway! This time I chose a less popular but treasure-filled destination—Mingshui Ancient City in Zhangqiu, Jinan. The cost per person is less than 300 yuan, and the experience is amazing! Sharing my full honest travel record👇 🚄 Transportation & itinerary overview · Saturday: Depart from Qingdao in the morning → Arrive at Zhangqiu Station at 10:30 → Walk to Mingshui Ancient City → Play until 9:30 PM · Sunday: Sleep in naturally → Yanming Spring Park → Eat spicy hot pot → Xiujiang River Park → Return to Qingdao at 3:55 PM 💰 The shocking secret about tickets! (Must read) The adult ticket for the ancient city is 98 yuan per person, but! It’s 98 yuan whether you buy one or two tickets together! ✅ Exclusive ticket-sharing tip: At the ticket window, you can proactively negotiate with other individual travelers behind you to buy a double ticket together, then they transfer the money to you. That’s how I did it and saved half the cost! Tested and works! (Official policy requires a minimum of two people, ID must be shown, electronic social security card is also accepted) 🏞️ Day 1: Immersive experience in Mingshui Ancient City (12:00-21:30) · Lunch: On the way from the station to the ancient city, I had lunch. I recommend trying Huang’s roasted meat flatbread, paired with a hot bowl of roasted meat tofu soup—local specialty! · City tour: · The essence is the springs: Don’t miss Shuyu Spring, Plum Blossom Spring, and Ink Spring in Li Qingzhao’s former residence! The spring water is emerald clear and is the soul of the entire ancient city. · You can ride a rowboat: Go before dark to ride through the water alleys; it’s atmospheric. But personally, the cost-performance ratio is average, not stunning. · The performances are highlights! No need to rush to catch shows, just wander and watch whatever you come across. I accidentally saw an acrobatic equestrian show, which was fantastic! · Highly recommend 【Fireplace Concert】🎸: There are shows at 5 PM and 8 PM! The atmosphere is amazing! The lead singer’s voice is beautiful, and the guitarist is very skilled. Tip: After watching the 8 PM drone show, leave two minutes early and rush to the concert venue, or there won’t be enough seats! I attended both shows, totally worth it! · Night view: When the lights come on, it’s a different kind of beauty. Honestly, it’s not as exquisitely delicate as southern ancient towns; it’s somewhere between the northern desolation and southern gentleness, with a unique charm. · Nighttime tranquility: After 9 PM, almost all tourists leave, shops close, and the ancient city returns to silence. Walking alone inside, it feels like the whole city is yours—very healing. 🏨 Accommodation recommendation Stayed at Shangkewyou Hotel on Huiquan Road outside the ancient city, only 100 yuan/night! The room is clean and nicely arranged, very close to the ancient city by foot, best value for money! 🌳 Day 2: Local parks and food · Yanming Spring Park: Highly recommended! Free! In the morning, you can see many local elderly people coming with buckets to collect spring water, full of local life atmosphere. The spring water here is also very beautiful, more concentrated and interesting than Xiujiang River Park. · Lunch: Ate spicy hot pot near Ximawan, opposite the cold storage, delicious! · Xiujiang River Park: If you have time, it’s worth a visit; it’s a relatively large wetland park. If time is tight, you can skip it.