Mingchang Bell and the remains of the Bell Tower
On the south bank of Daming Lake, there is a relic of the Bell Tower which was built in the Yuan Dynasty and originally called Monk Kang’s Yard. Its name was changed to Zhenan Yard or the Bell Temple. An iron bell made in Mingchang Period of the Jin Dynasty was inside the temple. Today, the bell is hanging in Mingchang Bell Tower. The vigorous bell tone goes ten miles away and echoes in the lake area.
Minghu House was first built in 1890 near the south gate of Daming Lake. It was the best-known folk arts stage at the end of the Qing Dynasty in Jinan. In the book of The travels of Laocan, the author Liu E vividly described the artists Wang Xiaoyu and XieDayusang folk songs to the accompaniment of the drums. The lines are “Wang Xiaoyu opened her mouth and sang a few words which fascinated the audience and held them spellbound”. Liu E’s fantastic description in the book made BaiNiu and her wonderful performance and spectacular artistry most popular in Jinan. Minghu House also became well-known. Rebuilding Minghu House is very significant to popularize traditional folk arts and resume the position of Jinan in Chinese folk arts. The rebuilt Minghu House is a two-storied building in ancient Jinan style. It covers an area of 1800 square meters and with corridors around it. The courtyard is the folk arts hall in which the old Jinan’s traditional folk arts show is on here. The audience can enjoy the traditional and authentic folk arts of Shandong Province.
Zhenhu Building is located to the east of the boat terminal on the south bank of Daming Lake. It was first built in the reign of Emperor Daoguang in the Qing Dynasty. ZhaiJiankui, the son of a well-known hermit ZhaiXiulai, built it. The original building is like “Linking the Zhenhu Cottage, the building was not very high but very wide with corridors.” It was destroyed in the past time. Zhenhu building was rebuilt in ancient style when Daming Lake was enlarged.
“Lao She and Jinan” Exhibition Hall is located by Huxi Bridge, the former No. 12 Xueyuan Street. The building area is 136 square meters. Facing the street is its arch gate, southward. The Exhibition Hall has two yards from south to north, with a rockery screen wall at the back of the gate.
In the 1930s, Lao She taught in Qilu University and lived in Jinan for four and a half years, which were a smooth and peaceful period in his life and also a golden age in his literary creation. One may well say “Jinan makes Lao She a successful person, and Lao She makes Jinan a well-known city.” Nowadays, the literary works of Lao She about Jinan, together with his many stories in Jinan, have already become part of the city’s culture. In his own words, “Although quite a short stay here, I have been in a deep love for the city, and it has already become my second hometown.” “Lao She and Jinan” Exhibition Hall shows the visitors the life and literary achievements of Lao She through the display boards. Daming Lake in Lao She’s works has become the focus of the attention on the exhibition. The exhibition attracts visitors in a way of videos, reading and reciting and gets the tourists learn through recreation.