Stepsin the middle of the square lead customers down into an underground wonderworld also known as Quan Cheng Square Shopping Center. Besides a deluxe supermarket that sells both local and foreign goods, many stores sell everything from pantyhose and makeup to basketballs and shuttlecocks. Overall, and probably unsurprising to the experienced foreigner (Lao Wai), clothing is the most common item available here.  Quan Cheng Square is really an interesting experience. Since it is such a popular shopping locale for Jinan's residents, there is quite a bit of local flavor.  When you get a little weary from the shopping, just surface for a breathe of fresh air in Quan Cheng Square, a huge park in the center of everything!

Local bus routes: No. 70, 102, 89, 80, 44, 3, 5, 1, K50, 101, 102, 104.

Enjoying a hotpot meal at Hot Pot City is very interesting to say the least.  A huge copper bowl inlaid with classical Chinese designs is set in front of you into your table top. Then you determine every last ingredient for the hotpot. A variety of broths and raw veggies and meats to be cooked in the broth are displayed for you at your table. Choose anything from bullfrog broth to a more simple vegetarian broth.  Ingredients to be cooked in the broth range from simple spinach and lettuce to fishballs, intestines, beef, lamb, or (I'm afraid to admit) dogmeat.  It should be noted that I am a vegetarian, and have no difficultly eating a clean, simple, and lovely meal here.  Still, for those who are adventurous, there’s a plethora of cuisine to experiment with. 

The coolest part of this restaurant is that I translated their menu for them into English, so you’ll have no trouble choosing exactly what you like!

Individual Hotpot is perfect for those looking to dine alone.  Hotpot is a boiling pot set right in front of you into which you can place vegetables and meats of all kinds, including special treats like lotus or intestines.  The first question the staff will ask you once you sit down at the counter is "La bu la？" (辣不辣)。 If you think you can handle the spicy broth, then say "la".  If not, say "bu la".  The menu is in Chinese, so bring a dictionary or a friend who can translate.  Your other option is to be brave and innovative and just point to what you want to eat!

Kang Kang’s also offers a variety of choices ranging from Chinese-style pizzas to fried noodles and chow mein. Sandwiches and some other mysterious dishes can be picked out or pointed to along the counter-top. Kank Kang's is certainly something unique in the area of modern era Chinese fast food establishments.

There are a few other establishments in the Silver Plaza Shopping Center worth noting. Next door to Kang Kang is Sproul Coffee, which serves excellent coffee and related drinks, fresh french bread, and other assorted dishes.  Wonderful Chinese tea is sold outside Kang Kang, as well as bottles of imported alcohol.  One of Jinan’s most expensive supermarkets is also on the basement floor along with Kang Kang.  Shoppers will be able to satisfy all of their daily needs at this supermarket. Notable products include coffee, quality beer and wine, bread, and other Western goods.

You can take bus No. 12, 19, 27, 77.

If you stand around long enough looking confused, somebody who speaks English will probably notice you and direct you to the proper department.  The registration window is immediately to the left on the first floor.  Registration and medical fees are generally very inexpensive (rarely exceeding 100 yuan in total).  The acupuncture, tui na (massage), and moxibustion departments look very interesting, and there is one acupuncture doctor who speaks excellent English.

Quan Jun Travel Lodge is bottom of the barrel pricewise.  Nonetheless, it boasts excellent location, right in the middle of the action, across the street from Quan Cheng Park's south gate.  The rooms here are small, and fairly clean, and a bit worn.  Cable TV and hot showers are available 24 hours a day along with air conditioning units. In order to get a room here, knowing at least a little Chinese will make things much easier. 

Unfortunately there are no numbers to tell street addresses when you look for the hotel. Therefore you must look for a huge silver lotus flower sculpture in the park on your right side (I mean huge, 20 feet by 20 feet, and 10 feet tall) as you head west on Luo Yuan Road, away from the Silver Plaza towards Quan Cheng Park. When you see the flower look to the left up at the signboards, and a little 2 foot tall sign sticks out that says Lu Guan (旅馆) in Chinese.  There should be a woman below the sign selling something at a stand.  The hotel is down a little hallway behind her.  I know this sounds like Alice in Wonderland, but if you’re into adventure and economy...this is the place.

Exhibits at the Eastern Modern Art Gallery rotate monthly. Eastern Modern Art Gallery was holding China's 11th International Photographic Art Exhibition.  Artists hail from nearly 30 countries ranging from Ukraine to Argentina and throughout China. Genres range from post-production blues to raw and naked. This exhibit offers such rich visual stimulus that I recommend you give it a couple of visits. 

The Gallery is located near the train station at the corner of Jing San and Wei Er Road. Turn north on Wei San Road, and after approximately about 20 meters look to your left.