JINAN, China, Oct. 29, 2025 — A media delegation participating in the “International Media Tour of Shandong: Jinan Segment,” organized by the Jinan Municipal People’s Government Information Office, visited Shanghe County, Jinan, on Oct. 28. The visit highlighted the county’s innovative use of geothermal energy to drive integrated industrial development.
Shanghe possesses abundant, high-quality geothermal reserves, totaling 25.6 billion cubic meters, with wellhead temperatures between 58 and 62°C, making it a significant geothermal resource in northern China. Capitalizing on this, the county aims to become the “Hot Spring Capital of China,” promoting a tourism concept of “Ascend Mount Tai, Tour Jinan, and Soak in Hot Springs in Shanghe.” At the Mengliyue Hot Spring Homestay, the media group observed characteristic courtyards blending Mencius culture with hot spring wellness. Featuring 11 private hot spring rooms and various cultural spaces, the project is projected to increase the village’s collective annual income by over one million yuan, demonstrating rural revitalization.
At Rural Oasis Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd., the media group learned about the innovative application of geothermal resources in modern agriculture. The company utilizes local hot spring resources to operate 450,000 square meters of smart greenhouses, equipped with advanced ebb-and-flow irrigation and positive pressure ventilation systems. They cultivate premium flowers such as anthuriums and phalaenopsis, establishing “Hot Spring Cultivated Flowers” as a key feature of Shanghe. The company is also advancing “Floral Chip” technology, having independently developed 18 new anthurium varieties, strengthening the industry’s position in the value chain.
The media group also toured Shandong Sporter Biological Technology Co., Ltd. Originating in Shanghe, the company’s “Nutrend” brand has led online sales of dietary nutritional products for three years running. In 2021, the company achieved the first export of Chinese sports nutrition food products. It has built the world’s largest production capacity for nutritional tablet workshops, creating a comprehensive industrial chain encompassing R&D, production, and e-commerce marketing, showcasing the potential of a small county to foster significant industries.
Through the extensive development of its geothermal resources, Shanghe County has effectively integrated hot spring culture with intangible cultural heritage, modern agriculture, and modern manufacturing. This has created a new model of coordinated development across diverse industries, charting a unique course for high-quality economic growth at the county level.
Source: Information Office of Jinan Municipal People’s Government
CONTACT: Contact person: Ms. Zhang, Tel: 86-10-63074558
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