Lixia district, Jinan, Shandong province [Photo by Xing Lifeng]

Lixia district, located in the core urban area of Jinan, capital of East China's Shandong province, has an area of 100.89 square kilometers and a population of 1.03 million. It governs 14 sub-districts and serves as the political, economic, cultural and tourism center of the city.

Established about 2,600 years ago, Lixia is home to some world famous tourist destinations including Qianfo Mountain, Daming Lake and Baotu Spring.

Of the city's top 72 most famous springs, 44 are located in Lixia.

The numerous natural springs and weeping willows in the old downtown area give the northern city a distinctive Jiangnan-style appearance (the area south of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River).

Lixia is also home to more than 100 provincial and municipal government agencies and more than 20 colleges including Shandong University and Shandong Normal University.

More than 100 scientific research institutions such as the Shandong Academy of Sciences, the Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences and the Provincial Academy of Medical Sciences are settled in the district. Most of the major provincial news media, art troupes and medical institutions are also located there.

The district has complete facilities for commercial activities and tourists. Five-star hotels in Lixia include the Shandong Hotel, the Sofitel Silver Plaza, the Crowne Plaza and the Sheraton hotels. In addition, there are more than 10 shopping malls such as Plaza 66 and the Shimao and Guihe plazas.

In 2023, the district's GDP increased by 6 percent over the previous year to 244.69 billion yuan ($33.35 billion).

Lixia district government has recently rolled out a development strategy focusing on the development of an international financial industrial cluster and the Mingfucheng Historical Area.

The financial industrial cluster project has already been on the road to fast-track development and the construction of five high-rise buildings there is progressing rapidly.

After the completion of the cluster, there will be 62 high-end commercial complexes with a height of more than 100 meters and a total floorage of 10 million square meters. These facilities will demonstrate the economic strength of Shandong and become a landmark area that showcases Jinan's image.

The Mingfucheng Historical Area will focus on protecting the ancient buildings and exploring their business potential for cultural tourism. It will serve as a window for the outside world to learn about Jinan as a thousand-year-old city.

In addition, the Lixia district government has increased investment in recent years to improve people's livelihoods, and aims to build a comprehensive service system to ensure people's wellbeing.

Measures and preferential policies have been made to help people increase their income and to support vulnerable groups, covering college students' employment, medical assistance, home-based elderly care and education.

Lixia district government will ramp up efforts to help local residents benefit from its reform achievements and continue to enhance people's sense of gain, happiness and security.