Dahuishan Scenic Area

Dahuishan Scenic Area

Dahuishan is the birthplace of ancient culture in Dalian, the starting point of the northern (maritime) Silk Road that spread Chinese historical civilization, and a natural barrier guarding the Liaodong Peninsula. It combines natural landscapes, cultural heritage, and pristine air, and is a national AAA-level tourist attraction, a national forest park, and a national geological park. It is also a sacred site where Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism converge, making it a renowned religious destination in Northeast China. It is a rare famous mountain located within a city in China, the backyard garden of Dalian, as well as a popular hiking route in the coastal city.

Dahuishan is situated in the center of the Jinpu New Area, 25 kilometers from downtown Dalian, covering an area of 23.79 square kilometers with an average elevation of 400 meters and a main peak at 663.1 meters. It is a mountain range shaped like the Chinese character “山” (mountain), bordered by the Changbai Mountains and Qianshan to the north, and facing the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea to the south. It gets its name from the predominantly dark gray color of its rocks. The name “Dahuishan” first appeared during the Ming Dynasty. In the third year of the Hongzhi era (1490), an inscription on the renovation of Shengshui Temple referred to it as “Dahuishan,” but by the sixth year of the Jiajing era (1527), an inscription on the renovation of Guanyin Pavilion called it “Daheshan.” The Qing dynasty scholar Gu Zuyu referred to it as “Daheshangshan” in his work “Complete Atlas of Geography.” After the Russo-Japanese War, it began to be called “Daheshangshan” or “Laohushan.” By 1980, the Dalian municipal government organized a place-name standardization campaign and officially unified the name as Dahuishan.

Dahuishan boasts stunning natural scenery with crisscrossing mountain ridges, towering stone peaks, majestic valleys, mysterious caves, peculiar rocks, deep mists, and lush forests. Waterfalls and streams are scattered throughout, along with attractions such as the checkerboard rock joints (Mahjong Stone), Heavenly Soldiers, Yaizi Pass, Dripping Water Pot, Immortal Platform, and Sacrificial Cliff. The mountain lies within the city, and the city is built against the mountain. From the summit, you can look east to see the rising sun over the Yellow Sea and the rapidly developing new district; to the west, you can view the sunset over the Bohai Sea and the historic old town. Gazing into the distance, you can see four bays (Jinzhou Bay, Dayao Bay, Xiaoyao Bay, and Dalian Bay), with waves seemingly surging beneath your feet and clouds seemingly swirling in your hands, offering a truly expansive feeling. Scenic spots such as Xiangquan Cool Summer, Chaoyang Clear Snow, and Nan’ge Flying Clouds are captivating, while Heishan Sunset is one of Dalian’s famous Eight Great Views.

Dahuishan stands majestically at the strategic crossroads of the peninsula, guarding the gateway to Dalian. It is close enough to protect Yanjing (Beijing) and far enough to defend the eastern provinces. Blessed not only by its geographical advantages but also by its natural defenses, it has long been a crucial military stronghold contested by strategists throughout history. Since the Sui and Tang dynasties, sites such as Bisha City and the General’s Platform have witnessed battles and bloodshed. Though the smoke of war has long dissipated and the drums and horns have fallen silent, remnants of ancient battlefields and historical relics can still be found. Dahuishan is rich in natural landscapes, featuring unique peaks, rare trees, and numerous waterfalls and streams, as well as attractions like Yaizi Pass, Guanmenzhai, Sacrificial Cliff, Dripping Water Pot, and Immortal Platform. Historic sites such as Xiangshui Temple, Chaoyang Temple, Tangwang Hall Taoist Monastery, Shigu Temple, and Guanyin Pavilion have long histories and enduring incense offerings, adding a profound religious ambiance to Dahuishan.