Thousand-Buddha Mountain

Thousand-Buddha Mountain (Mt. Qianfo), which enjoys the reputation as "the No, 1 mountain in Jinan", is a famous religious attraction that welcomes numerous numbers of tourists at home and abroad. Located about two and a half kilometers southeast of Jinan city, Shandong Province of China,  with a height of 281 meters, Thousand-Buddha Mountain (Mt. Qianfo) is original called Mt. Lishan in the ancient times.

 

The thousands of Buddha statues were caved in Sui Dynasty. During that time, dig the cave in accordance with the mountain, carve many statues of Buddha, build "a thousand Buddhists temple", have the title of a Thousand-Buddha Mountain gradually. In the period of Zhengguan for Tang, renovated again, "a thousand Buddhists temple" are changed into "the Buddhist temple made the country prosperous".

 

Thousand-Buddha Mountain, overgrown with grass and flowers as well as age-old pine and cypress, at a distance is like a giant wearing a huge green carpet dotted with pavilions, towers and terraces. Although it is not of impressive height (only 280 meters), nor does it boast weird peaks or strange valleys, the convenient location and picturesque scenery of this spot, as well as the tranquil beauty of the ancient monastery nestled in its bosom, draw tourists by the thousands each year.

Now the mountain is a park rich in natural beauty and several historical monuments, shrines and temples, ageless traditions and legends, which all make it a living museum that any visitor would cherish its vivid memory in his/her heart forever.
 

What to See at Thousand Buddha Mountain

The Golden Statue of the Laughing Buddha

The golden statue of the laughing Buddha is the landmark of the Thousand Buddha Mountain. It is 30 meters high with a diameter of 30 meters.

 

Xingguo Temple

Xingguo Temple is located halfway up the Thousand-Buddha Mountain. It is one of the most famous ancient temples in Jinan. First built in Tang Dynasty(627-649), Thousand-Buddha Mountain is magnificent and ancient. There are statues of Sakyamuni, Ksitigarbha, eighteen arhats and four heavenly kings.

At the Thousand-Buddha Mountain, you can see the main hall, jade Buddha hall, Zushi Hall and Meditation Hall. At the Thousand-Buddha Cliff, you can see 9 grottoes, which was carved in Sui Dynasty(587-600). At the grottoes, you can see many vivid statues of Sui and Tang dynasties.
 

Thousand-Buddha Cliff

Thousand-Buddha Cliff is located in the south of the Xingguo Temple, which is the main attraction of the Thousand-Buddha Mountain. Carved in Sui Dynasty(587-595), Thousand-Buddha Cliff has a history over 1,400 years. There are about whole 130 statues of the Buddhas at the Thousand-Buddha Mountain.
 

Imperial Stone Tablet

There is an imperial stone tablet at the Thousand-Buddha Mountain, which is written by Emperor Qianlong in 1748. Emperor Qianlong visited the Thousand-Buddha Mountain and wrote down his feelings, which describes the view of the Thousand-Buddha Temple. Emperor Qianlong also burnt incense and worshiped at the Thousand-Buddha Temple.
 

Tanghuai Pavilion

Tanghuai Pavilion was built in 1957. There is an ancient locust tree near the Tanghuai Pavilion, hence the name. Tanghuai Pavilion was built at the site of the Qinqiong Temple. Here you can know about the story and history of Qin Qiong and Li Shiming, an emperor of Tang Dynasty. Tanghuai Pavilion is a good place for having a rest at the Thousand-Buddha Mountain. The pavilion is also worth visiting.
 

Luban Ancestral Hall

Lu Ban is a famous craftsman in Shandong Province. He created many things, including saw, shovel, ruler and ink marker.
 

Recommended Route at the Thousand-Buddha Mountain

North Gate-Eighteen Arhats-Lingguan Hall-Hall of the God of Wealth-Sanqing Temple-Guanyin Garden-Tanghuai Paviliuon-Imperial Stone Tablet of Emperor Qianlong-Xingguo Temple-Lishan Courtyard-Wangdai Pavilion-Appreciating Chrysanthemums Pavilion-North Gate
 

Best Time to Visit the Thousand-Buddha Mountain

Thousand-Buddha Temple is always beautiful in different seasons. In spring, the flowers will bloom at the Thousand-Buddha Mountain, and the colorful flower blossoms make the Thousand-Buddha Mountain more beautiful. In summer, the plants at Thousand-Buddha Mountain are lush and green, which is also beautiful. In autumn, the leaves at Thousand-Buddha Mountain are colorful with yellow, golden and red leaves, which is impressive. In winter, the Thousand-Buddha Mountain may be covered by snow, which makes it a pure world.
 

How to Get to Thousand-Buddha Mountain

Thousand-Buddha Mountain is centrally located in the city. Taking a taxi would be the most convenient way to get there. And there are many public buses to reach there as well.