Black Tiger Spring is located in Lixia District of Jinan City. It is one of the four largest spring groups in Jinan together with Baotu Spring, Pearl Spring, and Five Dragon Pool. The babbling water of the spring flow into the moat in the city, and the river, in return, replenishes the spring water. The rockery, corridors, pavilions, trees and flowers in the surroundings, form a beautiful natural resort together. The quantity of the spring water is the second, only after Baotu Spring.
The majestic Black Tiger Spring
Black Tiger Spring originates from a naturally-formed cave, where lies a giant stone covered by moss. Looking from outside, the cave is very dark inside. Besides, the water gushes from the spring, crystal clear and cold, and strikes upon the stone together with the sound of the wind blowing inside. People can hear the sound of a tiger’s roar, hence the name.
The Black Tiger Spring Group is further formed from the Agate Spring, Pipa Spring, Bean Sprouts Spring, Wave Spring and another 10 springs. The spring has two parts, including the springhead and the spring pool. The springhead is located in a deep natural cave measuring 3 meters deep, 2 meters high and 1.7 meters wide. The bluestones are piled up by the entrance. The maximum spouting volume of the spring is up to 410,000 cubic meters per day. The water sprays from the mouth of the 27.88-meter-high stone beast’s head, through an underpass from the cave. The water is shaped like a waterfall. The water pours into a stone-masonry pool, which is about 13 meters long and 9 meters wide.
The "Double Tigers" sculpture sitting by the Black Tiger Spring was designed by Han Meilin in 1992. The sculpture of the black tiger was carved from the black granite, and the golden tiger was cast in bronze. The two tigers are each 7.9 meters long and 3.7 meters high. The bronze tiger is the world’s largest copper tiger. A stone monument stands next to the spring.
During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the Black Tiger Temple was located above the cave encasing the springhead. The environment of the temple is elegant and at ease. The tea pavilions and terraces also provide a sightseeing platform for people to enjoy the scenery.