Nestled among mountains and surrounded by water, Dongquan Village, one of the“Top 10 Most Beautiful Ancient Villages in Jinan”, is located in the southeast of Caishi Street, Licheng District, Jinan. With convenient transportation and a beautiful ecological environment, Dongquan Village is synonymous with picturesque scenery, featuring ancient springs, bridges, and bluestone pavements. Recently, Licheng District invited UDDIN MD AZIM and PARVEJ SAYEED AL from Bangladesh, GHALEB MUEATAZ GAMAL AHMED NOMAN from Yemen, TURAB ALI KHAN, and MUZAFFAR MUHHAMMAD USAMA from Pakistan to the scenic Dongquan Village and embrace the enchanting Licheng District in early summer.
Dongquan Village boasts a long and ancient history of over 600 years. The earliest settlers arrived in the village between 1368 and 1398 AD (during the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty). Over the course of time, renowned springs, streets, ancient trees, temples, stone bridges, stone tablets and stone pathways have become the splendid witnesses of Dongquan's charm. They stand quietly, silently recording the vicissitudes of this ancient village, as the sun and moon continue to rise and set.
The walls of the old courtyards in Dongquan Village are built with irregular stones and pieces, without the use of yellow clay as an adhesive. Though appearing disorderly, they are mutually supportive, with each stone being indispensable. TURAB ALI KHAN, an exchange student from Pakistan, expressed his astonishment, remarking on how difficult it is to imagine the amount of time it took to collect these stones and fragments from mountaintops and valleys, carefully consider the shape of each piece, and place them in just the right position. These stones and fragments seem untouched by human hands, maintaining their natural forms. It is truly commendable.
The village is adorned with numerous charming bluestone streets and alleys, each exuding a unique allure. About thirty meters south along the riverside stone pathway lies the envy of the entire village—the renowned“Furong Street”. In the past, the residents of this street were wealthy, and the area flourished with a vibrant population and an elegant environment. These stone streets and alleys resemble ancient musical notes, composing a captivating melody that emanates throughout this beautiful ancient village. At the entrance of Furong Street stands an ancient locust tree, luxuriant with abundant branches and a towering stature resembling a giant umbrella. With a sturdy trunk, it takes three or four adults to encircle it. This tree, known as a Tang locust, predates the village's own history and is officially registered as an ancient tree by Jinan City Garden and Forestry Greening Bureau. The generations of elderly people passing down the lore believe it to be even older.
During the spring outing season, visitors flock to admire the flowers and explore the ancient landmarks within the village. Stepping into the picturesque Dongquan Village feels like entering a poetic painting, allowing one to appreciate its stunning beauty and embrace nature. Bridges, steles, pathways, temples, and streets all bear witness to the diligence and wisdom of the kind-hearted people of Dongquan. In addition to the famous Yinma Spring, the village is also home to several other renowned springs, such as Black Tiger Spring and Zhahu Spring. UDDIN MD AZIM, an exchange student from Bangladesh, expressed his delight, stating that the ancient bluestone streets blend history and the present seamlessly, making them the most impressive aspect of Dongquan Village's ancient charm. He was thrilled to learn about the history of Chinese ancient villages and to admire the breathtaking scenery reminiscent of a utopia.（Source: Propaganda Department of Licheng District Committee of Jinan City）
