Jinshan Natural Stone Buddha Scenic Area

Jinshan Natural Stone Buddha Scenic Area

Jinshan Natural Stone Buddha Scenic Area

Located in the scenic Wangjiabao Village, Nankouqian Town, Qingyuan Manchu Autonomous County, the Jinshan Natural Stone Buddha Ecological Scenic Tourism Development Zone stands as a marvelously formed giant bonsai, gracing the boundless landscape. Here, winding rocky cliffs hide secluded charm, and a sea of trees veils the peaks in mysterious beauty.

The miraculous hand of nature has endowed Jinshan with unique allure and an extraordinary presence. Within the scenic area stands a 12.8-meter-high, 12.8-meter-wide natural stone Buddha, facing south, solemnly erected amidst lush pines and cypresses at the heart of the mountain, blessing the countless households in the region.

After Premier [name redacted] visited Qingyuan to celebrate New Year’s Eve with the locals in 2007, villagers were astonished to discover a naturally-formed stone Buddha in the mountains—12.8 meters tall and 12.8 meters wide, facing south, with lifelike features and completely uncarved by human hands. News spread rapidly by word of mouth, drawing visitors from as far as Shenyang, Changchun, Meihekou, and Fushun, and as near as urban and rural areas of Qingyuan, all eager to catch a glimpse of the stone Buddha’s majestic presence. Especially after its appearance, the stone Buddha exhibited extraordinary spiritual significance, sparking widespread reverence and drawing pilgrims from all directions.

The Jinshan Natural Stone Buddha Ecological Scenic Tourism Area is one of Qingyuan’s newly developed attractions, renowned for its mysterious caves, unique rocks, extraordinary pines, and divine Buddha. Covering an area of 15 square kilometers, it lies 33 kilometers from Qingyuan County, 110 kilometers from Shenyang (the provincial capital), and 10 kilometers from National Highway 202, with the Shenyang–Jilin Expressway running through the region. Here, pristine green mountains and clear waters blend harmoniously with a rich historical and cultural heritage, while modern ecological concepts merge with ancient prayer traditions. It serves as a rare integrated destination for tourism, prayer, archaeology, and exploration—an exceptional vacation spot that offers enlightenment, spiritual purification, and intellectual elevation through its distinctive cultural landscape.

Dubbed a grand spectacle of Chinese Buddhist culture, the Qingyuan “Jinshan Natural Stone Buddha” scenic area boasts a majestic presence and profound breadth. The naturally-formed stone Buddha, with its solemn and awe-inspiring visage, stands firmly, delivering a powerful visual impact. A gold ore vein lies beneath the Buddha, hence the name “Jinshan” (Gold Mountain) Natural Stone Buddha. Even more astonishingly, the Buddha stands 12.8 meters tall and 12.8 meters wide—echoing the 12.8-kilometer length of the Liuliu Line at its base, as well as the 12.8-kilometer span of the world-famous “China’s No. 1 Northern Rafting Spot—Qingyuan Honghe Canyon.” All coincidentally align with the lunar date of the Buddha Shakyamuni’s enlightenment: the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month.

Mountain hues stretch far, mingling with the shadows of imperial trees, while birdsong mingles with the sounds of stone springs. Standing by the spring and gazing up at Jinshan, one sees the stone Buddha flanked by Guanyin and Maitreya on the left, the God of Longevity in the center, and an inverted Guanyin on the right. The peaks on either side of the Buddha are crowned with competing verdant pines, their graceful forms covering the mountain in lush green. The symphony of rustling pines refreshes the mind and lifts the spirit. With a sheltering mountain ahead, a backing mountain behind, a perpetually flowing Dragon Spring beneath, and a jade-like ribbon of mountain embracing it, plus the Maitreya Mountain opposite and nearly a hundred acres of open land in between, it forms a truly one-of-a-kind Buddhist mountain landscape in the world.

Fifteen meters below the stone Buddha lies a distinctively outlined “Ten Imperfects” Buddha, with evenly distributed eyes, nose, and mouth. A jade-like stream flows eastward in front of the stone Buddha, its waters crystal clear, creating a delightful interplay with the fish and stones. Opposite the stone Buddha stands Maitreya Mountain, home to a lifelike big-bellied Maitreya Buddha, Ji Gong (the Mad Monk) Buddha, and the Longevity Buddha, as well as features like a boat ride, a heavenly ladder, thousand-year-old pines, and a fox fairy cave. There are also 23 ancient temple ruins steeped in history—dig through the rubble and dust, and you’ll still find thick layers of incense ash left by worshippers of old.

“Since the appearance of the Jinshan Stone Buddha, whenever the birthday of Shakyamuni Buddha or major Buddhist ceremonies are held, various sizes and shapes of miraculous snakes gather around the Buddha. After the ceremonies, they return to the wild, and there has never been a single incident of harm to humans.”

The Jinshan Natural Stone Buddha Scenic Area boasts abundant tourism resources: serene-looking turtle stones, the miraculously efficacious “Ten Imperfects,” lifelike statues of Ji Gong and Maitreya, an eagle-beak stone that seems ready to take flight, thousand-year-old pines that shade the mountains, the perilous Heavenly Ladder, and rare tree species blanketing the hills. Within the scenic zone, visitors can not only explore the mysteries and vibrancy of primeval forests and the time-honored charm of folk culture, but also immerse themselves in the profound richness of Buddhist culture, sharing in the blessings of happiness, peace, health, and good fortune bestowed by the natural stone Buddha.

This is the “Ten Imperfects,” a 1.5-meter-tall incarnation of the Medicine Buddha, located 15 meters below the stone Buddha. Legend says he was once a strong and handsome youth who, unable to bear seeing people suffer from illness, dedicated himself to medicine—testing needles and remedies on his own body. Though this left him with ten disabilities, he ultimately attained Buddhahood. Since the stone Buddha’s appearance, the “Ten Imperfects” Buddha has also displayed remarkable spiritual energy, attracting many sick and ailing visitors to come and pray.

This is the vividly rendered “Divine Turtle Bestowing Longevity.” Legend tells of Wang Xiaoli, disciple of the Mountain God, and the scholar Wang Jiuru, who became a loving couple—until deceived by a servant, they drank a potion and revealed their true forms. While Wang Jiuru went to the river to drink, a pregnant woman happened to pass by and, in urgency, gave birth on his back. Sadly, Wang Jiuru was turned into a stone turtle, forever lying by the river. Wang Xiaoli, upon returning to the mountain, missed her husband so deeply that she turned into a turtle stone. Whenever wind and rain come, villagers say they can hear mournful cries in the mountains—Wang Xiaoli calling for her husband’s return.

This is the majestic “Ancient Cliff Eagle.” On the eastern mountaintop near the Divine Turtle sits a 25-meter-high boulder that strikingly resembles a perched eagle on a cliff—thus named Eagle Beak Stone. Visitors take pride in climbing and touching it, praying for the eagle’s blessing to grant them wings of ambition.

This is the lifelike “Boat Sailing Through Clouds.” Located at the foot of the Longevity Buddha, it measures 5 meters long, 2 meters wide, and 1.5 meters high—strikingly resembling a sailboat navigating through clouds, or perhaps a grand coffin. Folklore says it was prepared by the Longevity Buddha in his secular life, and having grown fond of it, he brought it along even after attaining enlightenment. Visitors often come here to pray for smooth careers, health, longevity, and prosperity.

This is the eerie and mystical “Fox Fairy Cave.” Hidden beneath the pine-covered summit of Maitreya Mountain, the cave entrance is 2.5 meters high, 1 meter wide, and 3 meters deep. Legend has it that centuries ago, a fox living in the cave attained immortality by eating pine nuts blessed by the divine pines. To this day, the fox is said to appear and disappear within the cave, drawing many worshippers whose wishes are reportedly granted.

This is the compassionate “Divine Pine Guide.” Here, the landscape is uniquely rugged, the caves extraordinary, and the pines even more spectacular. At the highest peak in the scenic area—Pine Summit, at 710 meters above sea level—stands the towering Guide Pine, reaching toward the sky with branches extending westward in a gesture of welcome. Having weathered the passage of time, it bears witness to the region’s profound history. Beneath the tree lie remnants of an ancient worship altar erected by General Xue Rengui during the Tang Dynasty’s eastern campaigns.

Ancient legends, miraculous stone Buddhas, and the spiritually gifted town of Nankouqian use its real mountains, real waters, and real Buddha to stage one touching coincidence after another.

The landscape’s beauty arises naturally from its grassy hues and mountain light, while the winding waters and rugged cliffs forge a mystical energy. The Jinshan Stone Buddha is a treasure bestowed by heaven and earth—a silent agreement between human desire and nature’s artistry. Step into Jinshan’s cycle of seasons to expand boundless dreams; walk through Jinshan’s mountains and waters to experience the infinite charm of Buddhist culture.

Currently, the Nankouqian Town project is undergoing vigorous investment solicitation. Using the construction of a new socialist countryside as a foundation, prioritizing the comprehensive utilization of natural resources, and focusing on the development of the natural stone Buddha’s religious culture, the area follows a principle of planning-first, scientific layout, high starting point, phased, and gradual advancement. Through years of careful development, the scenic area aims to become a uniquely distinctive destination integrating eco-agricultural sightseeing, pristine forest oxygen-bar tours, folk culture landscape tours, and natural stone Buddha fortune-seeking tours.

The charm of Manchu culture, the wonder of the Jinshan Stone Buddha, the mother river of Liaoning and Shenyang, the cradle of civilization. Worship the natural stone Buddha, fulfill your dreams—this miraculous land of destiny, China’s Liaoning · Qingyuan Jinshan Natural Stone Buddha Eco-Tourism Scenic Area, warmly welcomes your visit.