Qianfoshan (Thousand-Buddha Mountain)

Qianfo Mountain, one of the three most famous scenic spot in Ji'nan, is located about 2.5 kilometers southeast of the city, 285 meters above sea level. It occupies an area of 166 hectares.

In ancient times, the hill was called Miji Hill and Lishan Hill. When the Buddha statues chiseled on the hill in the Sui Dynasty, it was renamed the Thousand-Buddha Hill. During the early years of the Sui dynasty (581-618), Buddhism became popular with people in the area and Buddhist disciples built many temples and carved numerous Buddhist statues on the rocks of the mountain, which is how the mountain acquired its present name. The mountain, overgrown with grass and plants of various kinds and ageless pines and cypress, at a distance is like a giant wearing a huge green carpet dotted with pavilions, towers and terraces. The most famous is Xingguo Temple built in the Tang dynasty (618-907). The Thousand- Buddha Cliff on the south side of the mountain presents 130 statues of Buddha carved in the Sui Dynasty. The cliff houses five caves which, from west to east, are respectively called Longquan Cave, Jile Cave, Qianlou Cave and Luzhu Cave. The largest ones are over 3 meters high and the smallest ones are only 20 centimeters. Now the mountain is a park rich in both natural beauty and historical relics of China. The Thousand Buddha Mountain stretches from east to west with its landscape spreading like a screen. On the north side of the mountain are three winding and zigzagging ascending paths, flanked by massive pines and cypresses with thick shady leaves obscuring the sun. On the eastern side of mountain stands the Shandong Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetery for Revolution of 1911, a key historical relic site under provincial protection. Other scenic spots on the Mountain include the Tang-Dynasty Pagoda Tree Pavilion, Shandong Nine Clouds, and Cloud Passing Zen Temple, etc. If you prefer a bus ride, then you can go by bus to the top of the mountain along a mountain road winding up the eastern side of the mountain.

Admission: 15 RMB
Opening Times: 7:00 - 18:00
Tel: 86-531-6911792

Lingyan Si (Divine Rock Temple)

Divine Rock Temple is on the Fangshan mountain 78km (48 miles) from Jinan. The temple was constructed in the Northern Wei period (386-534AD) and rose to importance in the Tang and Song dynasties. During dynastic times, the temple had more than 40 halls and over 500 rooms. Today, the temple is famous for its main hall, the Thousand Buddha Hall, which houses 3 terracotta statues of Buddha and 40 different clay Luohan statues. These statues are famous for their realistic form and are said to be the best in the province. In the western section of the temple is a Forest of Stupas made from 167 pagodas built in honor of leading monks who have passed away. Other buildings include the Treasure Hall of Great Hero, Bell and Drum Towers, pavilions, pagodas and stone steles all of which are of great historical and artistic value.

Simen Ta (Four Gate Pagoda)

Four Gate Pagoda is located on the Qinglong mountain, 33km (20 miles) southeast of Jinan. It is one of the oldest stone pagodas in China, dating back to the 6th century. There are 4 arched doorways on each face of the square structure facing 4 beautiful Buddhas. The pagoda is 15 meters (49ft) high and is still in good condition.

Shandong Bowuguan (Shandong Provincial Museum)

Shandong Provincial Museum is found in south Jinan near the Thousand Buddha Hill. It consists of a nature section and a history section. Included in the exhibits are a number of exquisite Buddhist carvings, stone seals and tablets from the Han dynasty (206-220BC), bronzes from the Shang and Zhou eras (1766-770BC) and pottery and other agricultural objects excavated from neo-lithic sites in the area. There is also a calendar dating from 134BC, which is believed to be the oldest one in China.

Shandong Provincial Museum 山东省博物馆
Qiaanfoshan Lu Phone:86-531-296-0284