Statue of Lord Wan

Statue of Lord Wan

Tianzhu Mountain, also known as Mount Wan or Wan Mountain, has been intrinsically linked with Lord Wan and Mount Wan since ancient times, sharing an inseparable bond. Nature, drawing inspiration from the ancient wonders of Wan, has created numerous magical features on Tianzhu Mountain. Among them, the "Statue of Lord Wan" and the "Map of Anhui Province" are hailed as two extraordinary masterpieces among Tianzhu Mountain’s cultural and natural landscapes.

At the entrance to the Mysterious Valley in the West Pass of Tianzhu Mountain Scenic Area stands a stone statue revered as the "Statue of Lord Wan." Speaking of Lord Wan, historical records state: "During the Zhou Dynasty, Qianshan belonged to the State of Wan" and "The Zhou Dynasty enfeoffed the Lord of Wan, a senior official, to govern Wan." During his rule, the Lord of Wan showed deep concern for the people's well-being, winning their heartfelt respect, and was thus respectfully called "Lord Wan."

Lord Wan had a deep love for Tianzhu Mountain and often climbed the mountain with friends to compose poetry, roaming freely through the peaks and valleys. His lifelong wish was to have his achievements "merged with Wan Mountain" and to "bring benefits to the people of Wan."

From a distance, the Statue of Lord Wan appears majestic, resolute, and dignified. Upon closer inspection, one can see clearly defined facial features and a gentle smile that reveals his amiable and venerable character. Listening to the rustling of pine waves in the valley feels as though the poetic echoes of ancient Tianzhu still linger in the air. Following the direction of Lord Wan’s gaze, one can take in the sweeping views of the Wan River and its waters, dotted with sails and bustling with boats, bringing to life the prosperity of distant eras. Through wind, frost, snow, rain, and the changing seasons, Lord Wan and Wan Mountain have shared a bond of resilience across millennia.

In November 2010, Qianshan County in Anhui Province invested approximately 6 million yuan to erect a giant statue of "Lord Wan" at the county’s eastern gateway, which neared completion in November 2011.

The statue stands nearly 30 meters tall, located on a low-lying piece of land next to the exit of Chezhou Temple on the Gaojie Expressway in Qianshan County, adjacent to National Highway 318. There, a massive human-shaped sculpture stands, dressed in the attire of the Spring and Autumn Period.

Descending a long flight of steps, you’ll find a vast square in front of the statue, spanning over 2,000 square meters. Up close, the base of the statue resembles a city wall, with the two large Chinese characters for "Lord Wan" inscribed in the center, and the four characters for "Ancient Capital of the Wan State" written below. On the northern side of the statue’s base, there is an entrance. Stepping inside and climbing the stairs leads you up onto the wall.

The completion of the giant "Lord Wan" statue sparked widespread discussion among tourists and local residents.

Qianshan has many historically significant cultural figures, and some question why the local government would build such a massive statue for an obscure individual. Any tourist attraction needs profound cultural heritage to support it—simply erecting a stele or placing a statue does not make it a worthwhile sight.

The eastern gateway of Qianshan County serves as a vital passage to both the county town and Tianzhu Mountain, making it the first impression visitors have of the area. In the past, the site was mostly cluttered with dilapidated houses and overgrown woods, presenting issues of poor sanitation and disorder—an urgent need for comprehensive development. As this location lies at the rerouted section of National Highway 318, forming a triangular patch of land unsuitable for other constructions, the county decided to establish a landmark here that could best reflect Qianshan’s unique character.

As the birthplace of Wan culture, Qianshan holds a pivotal position both historically and geographically.

And "Lord Wan" is considered the "founding figure" of Anhui. Therefore, after extensive research, public consultations, and evaluations, it was decided to construct a giant statue of "Lord Wan." The project has an estimated total investment of over 10 million yuan and covers a total area of 69,619 square meters. The central scenic area spans 1,480 square meters, where a large stone sculpture of the "Lord of the Wan State," standing approximately 30 meters tall, is erected right at the heart. This not only becomes a landmark sculpture for the site but also leaves a profound impression on visitors.