Jinan is the capital city of Shandong province, the economic giant on east coast of China. The city is the political, economic and cultural center of Shandong province. Jinan lies in the mid-west of Shandong, where the Beijing-Shanghai Railway and the Jinan-Qingao Railway joint together. Mountain Tai, listed as World's Natural and Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, lies to the south of Jinan, and the Yellow River, Mother River of Chinese Nation, flows on the north of the city.

Jinan has a long history, and is one of the famous cities of historical and cultural importance publicized by the State Council. The city boasts beautiful scenery and a large number of springs so the city was named "city of springs". Willow is the Tree of the City, and lotus the City Flower.