Barga Mountain Nature Park

Barga Mountain Nature Park

Barga Mountain Nature Park is a national AA-level tourist attraction.

Barga Mountain is located in Sijiazi Mongolian Township, Faku County, Shenyang City. "Barga" means "prosperous" or "mighty" in Mongolian. This area was originally part of the southern edge of the Horqin Mongol region. As early as the 1920s and 1930s, it gained modest fame across Northeast China for its distinctive frontier landscapes and exquisitely crafted cultural sites. A great many government officials, literati, teachers, students, and others came here to travel and sightsee. At that time, the Shengjing Times and related magazines published accounts of Barga Mountain’s scenery, the bustling crowds of visitors, and the splendor of the Prince’s Mausoleum. “... Children sang along the paths, elders rested beneath the trees, people called out in front and responded from behind — a continuous stream of visitors...”“... About eight li from the summit of Bahu Mountain, on the southern foothills of the northern range, there lies a stretch of plain about fifty mu in size, embraced by green hills and encircled by flowing waters. Amid the shade of trees and the irregular rooftops, a red bridge can faintly be seen — this is the mausoleum of Prince Sengge Rinchen of the Borjigit clan... In front of the mausoleum stand three levels of ceremonial halls, flanked by two rows of auxiliary rooms, with carved beams and painted rafters, resplendent in gold and brilliance. In front of it stands an imperial stele pavilion, about five zhang tall, surrounded by four gates, with a grand stele lying horizontally within the...courtyard...inscribed with...testimonies of merit...”

Barga Mountain consists of three major mountain ranges: Chengzhi Mountain, Miaotai Mountain, and Da Luobo Mountain. The main peak has an elevation of 446.9 meters, making it the highest peak in Shenyang. Between the primary and secondary peaks of Chengzhi Mountain, there used to be an ancient city site stretching over 3,400 meters. Constructed from earth and stone, it follows the mountain’s contours, winding and undulating. In earlier years, armor, arrowheads, and other artifacts were unearthed here. During the 2010 “Third National Cultural Relics Survey,” experts identified it as a “military facility site from the Liao and Jin periods.” Within the valleys of Chengzhi Mountain, there were once several ancient temples, including Sanqing Palace, Jade Emperor Pavilion, and Guanyin Pavilion. The Jade Emperor Pavilion was built atop a cliff halfway up the mountain, consisting of three halls housing statues of the Jade Emperor, the Golden Boy, and the Jade Maiden. The eastern and western walls featured suspended clay sculptures of heavenly soldiers and generals. The craftsmanship and design were exceedingly rare. Additionally, according to historical records, before these Taoist structures were built, the eminent Tibetan Buddhist master Shri Bhagavan resided here for a long time and eventually passed away on this mountain. Having greatly assisted Emperor Hong Taiji in his campaigns against the Ming army and in liaising with the Eight Banners of Mongolia, Shri Bhagavan was deeply venerated. After his passing, Hong Taiji visited Barga Mountain multiple times to pay homage. Miaotai Mountain still has ruins of temple sites and is said to have been visited by Emperor Kangxi during his eastern tours. Da Luobo Mountain earned its name due to its resemblance to a radish and now features the remains of an ancient beacon tower. At the junction between Chengzhi Mountain and Da Luobo Mountain lies a narrow pass known as “Tumenzi,” a highly strategic and precipitous “single-plank gate” connecting the northern deserts to the central inland areas. Though not extremely high, the rolling peaks of Barga Mountain possess the distinct character of frontier landscapes. It marks the terminus of the Yiwulü Mountain Range, which belongs to the Yan Mountain System, and can be regarded as the edge of China’s inland mountain regions. Especially in late autumn, visitors are greeted by “mountains ablaze with red foliage, forests dyed layer upon layer in color.” Among those who come to admire the scenery are tourists from several major northeastern cities and Inner Mongolia.

Are you here to appreciate the beautiful scenery of a northern fortress?! Or to seek traces of ancient beacon fires from the old city ruins?!

In Wangye Ling Village on the western foothills of Barga Mountain, there were once more than ten burial sites for nobility, including the tombs of Prince Bandi of the Darhan Banner of the Left Wing of the Horqin and Princess Gongluan Duanmin. On the eastern foothills, Gongzhu Ling Village was the burial ground for nobility of the Right Wing Rear Banner of the Horqin, where figures such as Qimotedorji, Princess Heshuo Duanyu, and the prominent late Qing figure Senggelinqin were laid to rest. It is particularly noteworthy that Senggelinqin, a key minister of the late Qing Dynasty, assisted Emperors Daoguang, Xianfeng, and Tongzhi in maintaining internal stability and defending against external threats. He achieved remarkable military feats, especially in resisting the Anglo-French Allied Forces, leaving a significant mark in world military history... Empress Dowager Cixi once lamented, “As long as Prince Sengge lives, the Qing Dynasty stands; if he falls, the Qing Dynasty falls...” The Azure Dragon Tablet Stone at the ruins of Prince Sengge’s Mausoleum is now a provincial-level cultural relic protection unit. It can be said that the Barga Mountain Natural Scenic Area boasts uniquely distinctive cultural landscapes: mountaintops still hold ancient cities, historic mountain passes remain solemn and steep, imperial steles tower proudly.

These cultural elements and scenic sites specifically reflect the traditional cultures of northern Chinese ethnic groups such as the Khitan, Jurchen, Mongol, and Manchu peoples, all of whom have written glorious chapters in China’s history.

Since 1994, with the support of the higher-level Party committees, governments, and the county tourism bureau, Sijiazi Mongolian Township successively built a 3.2-kilometer asphalt road from Gongzhu Ling Village to Chengzhi Mountain, providing convenience for visitors. They also gradually restored attractions such as the Jade Emperor Pavilion and the Binying Shrine. Taoists from Shenyang Taiqing Palace subsequently came to Barga Mountain. Since then, visitor numbers have increased significantly — some come seeking official rank, others wealth, and others offspring... Currently, under the leadership of the Sijiazi Mongolian Township Party Committee and Township Government, plans for further developing Barga Mountain’s tourism are actively being refined.

As the saying goes, “A mountain need not be high — with immortals, it becomes famous; water need not be deep — with dragons, it gains spirit.” Barga Mountain holds stories within its peaks and legends within its waters; every blade of grass and tree contains beauty. With its rich cultural significance, unique frontier landscapes, ancient cultural sites, traditional ethnic culture, it is a rare and precious tourism resource. We sincerely hope that insightful individuals and organizations from all regions and sectors will invest here to jointly develop this blessed land, reviving its former glory and showcasing its timeless charm and future splendor.