Sishui Quanlin

Sishui Quanlin

Sishui Quanlin is a cultural heritage site protected at the provincial level in Shandong Province.

A 50-kilometer drive eastward along National Highway 327 from Qufu will take you to the Quanlin Springs Cluster Provincial Scenic Area in Sishui County. The Shandong Provincial Tourism Development Plan classifies it as Zone 3 of the first-tier "Mountains-Rivers-Sages Region," placing it on the same tourism route as Jinan, Tai’an, and Qufu. Tourism planning experts have praised it as the "Hometown of Springs in China," and Madame Ye Jiangying, wife of Marshal Chen Yi, along with celebrated nutritionist Yu Ruomu, inscribed the words "A Marvelous Sight Under Heaven — Quanlin."

Quanlin, the source of the Si River, earned its name from the numerous springs clustered here like a forest, which also brought it widespread fame. According to the Qing Dynasty’s Guangxu-era Annals of Sishui County, the springs include 72 named springs, dozens of large ones, and countless small ones as dense as cow hair. Today, near Peiwei Mountain, many springs such as Black Tiger, Baotu, Pearl, Red Stone, Double Bright, and Rice-Washing glisten like stars, spraying snow-white jets and jade-like flows. Some emerge from rocky crevices, some hide within sandy soil, some fill shallow grounds, and others form deep pools. Some springs are as big as a tiger’s mouth, others as small as a bean. Waves swirl like drifting smoke forming ranks; surges and roars pile up like tumbling clouds. In five steps, a stream forms; in a hundred, a river. Since ancient times to the present, the flow has never ceased, converging into the mighty Si River. The spring water spouts pearls and jade, clear as crystal. Aquatic plants in the springs are emerald green, swaying with the currents like brushstrokes woven into a tapestry.

The picturesque Quanlin has captivated numerous sages, scholars, emperors, and generals throughout history. As early as the Spring and Autumn Period, Confucius sighed here, "Thus flows all things — day and night without ceasing." The Northern Wei geographer Li Daoyuan praised it as a "Famous River of Mount Tai and the Sea." Both the Readings on Historical Geography and the General Annals of Shandong hailed it as "The Finest of All Springs in Shandong." In the winter of 1684, Emperor Kangxi toured the provinces, paid homage to Mount Tai, and worshipped Confucius before arriving at Quanlin. Observing the springs and ascending Peiwei, he highly commended Quanlin as a "Sacred Site of Spring Origins Where Historic Traces Remain." Emperor Qianlong had a particular fondness for Quanlin, visiting nine times and leaving behind over 190 poems and essays praising it, in addition to more than 200 literary works by scholars through the ages.

The development of the Quanlin Springs Cluster began very early. As far back as the Northern Wei and Northern Qi dynasties, a "Source Temple" was built west of Peiwei Mountain, which was later renovated during the Tang Dynasty and renamed "Quanlin Temple." In the Ming Dynasty, a Water Department Office was established at Quanlin, where three archways and six pavilions were constructed. In the Qing Dynasty, due to visits by Emperors Kangxi and Qianlong, continuous renovations were carried out, gradually expanding the scale. Lakes were dug, hills built, and a grand Quanlin Imperial Palace was constructed. Facing south, this classical garden-style palace complex included 114 structures such as palaces, towers, pavilions, and terraces, the most famous being the "Eight Views of the Imperial Palace." Thus, Quanlin became a unified destination integrating sacred sites, famed springs, an imperial palace, and an imperial garden, attracting visitors from across the land. Entering the 1990s, the Sishui County Party Committee and County Government decided to protect and develop the Quanlin Springs Cluster. With an investment of several million yuan, they undertook planning, relocated residential houses, cleared springs, dug lakes, built hills, erected archways, imperial bridges, gates, pathways, and monuments, as well as constructed spring pavilions, planted trees, and flowers. After years of preservation and development, the Quanlin Springs Cluster scenic area took shape with an increasing number of attractions. In 1998, it was approved as a Provincial Scenic Area by the Shandong Provincial People’s Government, attracting over a hundred thousand tourists annually and generating notable economic benefits. A new round of planning has since been completed, and the county government is actively raising funds to restore the imperial palace and other attractions, gearing up for vigorous development and construction.

If you have the time to visit Quanlin, stroll beneath the "Source of the Si River" Archway and admire Red Stone Spring; cross the Literary, Martial, and Imperial Bridges, then stand at the Spring-Viewing Pavilion to watch the springs gush, gaze upon the towering imperial monument, view the lush forests, and breathe in the light mist. Take a boat ride on the Purple Brocade and Jade Springs Lakes, where lotus fragrance wafts and wild ducks skim the surface — a truly ethereal experience. "The mountain hues stretch with the serenity of the heart, while the spring sounds cool the ears." Standing atop Peiwei, overlooking the clear springs and distant undulating mountains brings peace to the soul. Every spring, stone, monument, and archway in Quanlin records an ancient past and glimmers with an extraordinary present. Each beautiful legend, captivating tale, and noble philosophy offers inspiration and sparks dreams. The ancient Bian Bridge narrates the vicissitudes of history and the evolution of the world, making you linger even as you must leave.

Quanlin is truly a marvelous sight under heaven. We sincerely welcome all friends to visit Quanlin for sightseeing and leisure, to invest in developing this precious tourism resource, and to join us in planning for a shared future. Once grand and flourishing, much of it unfortunately fell into disrepair after the Republican era and through the Cultural Revolution.

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of Shandong Provincial Cultural Heritage Protection Units

· Second Batch of Jining Municipal Cultural Heritage Protection Units