Boasting a time-honored history, Jining was the hometown of Tai Hao, Shao Hao, Fu Xi and Huang Di – four of the five virtuous "emperors" in ancient China. And it's also the birthplace of Confucius, Mencius, Yan Zi, Zeng Zi and Zi Si, who are reputed to be the five ancient Chinese sages. Jining is one of the important cradles of oriental civilization as well as of Confucian culture.

In ancient times, the opening and flourishing of the Grand Canal turned Jining into a communication hub, a center for a large number of transport boats and vehicles. The culture of Jining integrates the characteristics of both the South and North China, and it's honored as the "Hometown of Confucius and Mencius, A City by the Grand Canal".