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JERRY GOODE explores Jinan, Shandong's capital, over five hours, describing cold rainy weather, friendly locals, electric bikes, shopping malls and busy streets. He mentions Jinan's hot springs and sees a Ghost Festival event during the rain, then stops at a memorial to a historical massacre. A street skateboarding competition and conversations with local participants add an unexpected part of the day. He also sees food stalls and a kilometer-long food street, though he says he did not try much of the food. His account presents Jinan as a mix of historical sites and modern development, and he recommends the city to people traveling in Shandong.
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First impressions of Jinan
JERRY GOODE arrives in Jinan, the capital of Shandong province, for a five-hour exploration. It is cold and rainy, but he says the weather does not stop the city from feeling active. He describes the streets as busy and notices many bicycles and electric bikes, numerous shopping malls, and modern shops and buildings. He also points out a vaping shop in the middle of the street and a mobile police station. He calls Jinan the newest first-tier city in China, connecting that description with its rapid development.
As he walks through different neighborhoods, JERRY meets friendly local people. He encounters a street skateboarding competition taking place beneath a Porsche sign and talks with participants. The spontaneous competition becomes one of the day's surprises. He also discusses Jinan's hot springs and the way historical places and newer attractions exist in the same city. During Ghost Festival, he sees a cultural event and notes the rainy conditions.
History, food, and city life
The visit includes a memorial commemorating a historical massacre. JERRY says it is a poignant reminder of the city's past. He also refers to Jinan's connection to Confucius and to the friendly reputation of people from Shandong. These historical observations add context to his walk through modern streets and malls.
Food is another part of the outing. JERRY notices many stalls and a food street that extends for kilometers. He says he did not get to try much, but describes seeing a broad selection and recalling that donkey meat he tried previously in Xi'an was delicious. He also sees a skateboard event, shops, and hot-spring-related city features. He mentions canceling a planned trip to Xinjiang because of COVID-19 concerns, explaining that it was a responsible travel decision. By the end of the five-hour exploration, he recommends Jinan as a place to visit in Shandong, citing the mix of history, modern life, and welcoming people. His account remains a personal first impression, shaped by the cold rain, the streets and shops, the memorial, the event, and the food district.
FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)
- Q: What's the weather like in Jinan?
- A: It was cold and rainy during JERRY’s visit, but he says the weather did not stop the city from feeling lively.
- Q: What did you think of the people in Jinan?
- A: JERRY describes the people he met as friendly and welcoming. He also mentions the friendly reputation of people from Shandong.
- Q: What was the most surprising thing you saw?
- A: A street skateboarding competition was taking place beneath a Porsche sign. JERRY spoke with some of the local participants.
- Q: What's the food like in Jinan?
- A: JERRY says he did not get to try much, but saw a food street that stretches for kilometers. He recalls enjoying donkey meat on an earlier visit to Xi’an.