Baotu Spring Tree Collapse Injures 16 Tourists in Jinan

A large willow tree branch snapped and fell at Jinan’s iconic Baotu Spring Park on the evening of July 27, knocking over 16 tourists and sending eight to the hospital with minor injuries. Park authorities issued a public apology the following morning and announced comprehensive safety inspections across the scenic area.

The incident occurred at 18:46 CST at Baotu Spring Park, part of the renowned “First Spring under Heaven” (天下第一泉) National AAAAA Scenic Area in Shandong Province. According to an official statement from the Jinan Number One Spring Scenic Area Service Center, an old willow tree branch “tore and snapped” under the weight of waterlogged foliage after days of persistent rainfall, striking nearby visitors.

Immediate Response and Casualties

Park staff rushed the injured to hospital immediately after the collapse. By the morning of July 28, eight tourists had been discharged after medical examinations found no physical issues, while eight others remained hospitalized with minor injuries (轻伤) for observation and treatment, as CCTV News reported.

The scenic area service center issued a formal apology, stating: “We sincerely apologize to the injured tourists, and at the same time will conduct comprehensive inspections and repairs of trees and facilities in the park, strictly preventing similar incidents from occurring.”

A Landmark Location

Baotu Spring Park is one of China’s most famous tourist destinations, housing the legendary Baotu Spring, historically celebrated as the “First Spring under Heaven.” The broader scenic area spans 3.1 square kilometers and comprises one river, one lake, three spring groups, and four parks, according to the China News Service. The park attracts millions of domestic and international visitors each year.

Weather as a Contributing Factor

The park’s statement attributed the branch failure to recent persistent rainfall that caused branches and leaves to absorb high water content, leading to structural imbalance. Jinan experienced unusually heavy precipitation throughout July 2026, with water levels at Baotu Spring reaching a 10-year seasonal high of 29.37 meters by July 17. By July 27, the spring’s water level had climbed further to 29.64 meters, as reported by Tencent News.

Willow trees, known for their high water uptake, become significantly heavier when saturated. This added weight at the distal ends of branches can create mechanical stress exceeding the structural strength of the wood, particularly in older trees.

Safety and Oversight Questions

The incident has raised questions about tree safety management in Chinese public parks, particularly as extreme rainfall events become more frequent. While the response from park authorities was swift — with immediate medical attention and a public apology within hours — the event underscores the challenge of balancing the preservation of old, heritage trees with public safety.

A similar incident occurred at the same park in October 2022, when a large willow tree was blown over by strong winds and fell into the spring pool, though that event was wind-related rather than rain-induced.

Looking Ahead

The Jinan scenic area has committed to comprehensive inspections of all trees and facilities. The incident serves as a reminder for parks nationwide to assess the structural integrity of aging trees, particularly after extreme weather events. For the eight tourists still recovering in hospital, no further medical complications have been reported, though their long-term recovery remains to be seen.

As one commenter on The Paper’s report noted: “Old tree injures people, scenic area apologizes. Hope next time the effort is put in beforehand.”