Baotu Spring, Natural spring in Jinan, China

Baotu Spring is a karst spring in Jinan whose pool measures 30 metres east to west and 18 metres north to south, fed through three outlets that can discharge up to 1.6 cubic metres per second. The water stays at 18 °C all year. West of the pool stands the Ming-dynasty Guanlan Pavilion, and a stone stele carved with three Chinese characters faces the springs.

The spring appears in the Spring and Autumn Annals, which records a 694 BC meeting of the rulers of Lu and Qi at Luo. Li Daoyuan's Northern Wei Commentary on the Waterways Classic describes water gushing up like a wheel. The name Baotu dates from the Song dynasty; the Qianlong Emperor of the Qing titled it "Number One Spring under the Heaven" and left the inscription beside the pool.

The name Baotu describes water gushing upward, a term used since the Song dynasty; earlier names included Baoliu and Lanquan. The Qianlong Emperor conferred the title "Number One Spring under the Heaven" and left the inscription on the stele beside the pool. Writers such as Zeng Gong, Zhao Mengfu and Pu Songling wrote about the spring, and the park holds memorials to the painters Li Kuchan and Wang Xuetao and to the poet Li Qingzhao.

The site has multiple walking paths and viewing areas that are easy to navigate on foot. Wear comfortable shoes as you will be walking through gardens and across bridges with varying levels.

The spring's three outlets can discharge up to 1.6 cubic metres per second, and its water stays at 18 °C all year. Since 2003 it has flowed without interruption, after a 926-day dry spell that ended on 6 September 2003.