Liangshan of the Water Margin

Liangshan of the Water Margin

Liangshan of the Water Margin is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction and a cultural relic protection unit of Jining City.

Liangshan is the setting of the Water Margin stories. The Liangshan of the Water Margin Scenic Area is the only national AAAA-level tourist attraction in China themed around the site of a peasant uprising.

The scenic spots on Liangshan are unique, with the "Four Peaks and Seven Ridges" stretching continuously, covered in lush greenery. The ancient Water Margin architecture is grand and imposing, offering a breathtaking and uplifting experience. Despite having endured over eight hundred years of vicissitudes, traces of the heroes can still be vividly seen throughout the scenic area: landmarks such as the Liangshan Fortress Gate, Duanjinting Pavilion, Black Wind Pass, and Loyalty Hall form the majestic presence of Liangshan stronghold. Relics such as the Song Jiang Fortress Wall, Twisting Gate, Song Jiang’s Well, and Charity Terrace tell the stories of the heroes. Especially since 2005, a series of core Water Margin attractions including the Gathering Hall, Command Platform, and Stone Tablet Platform have been restored, featuring rustic designs, bold and unrestrained styles, and grand momentum that fully embody the spirit of the Water Margin and the character of Liangshan, receiving positive market feedback. In 2008, with an investment of over 50 million yuan, six attractions including First Pass, Second Pass, Left Army Camp, Right Army Camp, Wild Goose Terrace, and Heavenly Scripture Pavilion were restored or newly built, enriching the touring content and enhancing the Water Margin ambiance. Additionally, our scenic area has collaborated with Beijing Times Film Company to jointly develop the Liangshan of the Water Margin Film and Television Base, making film tourism another highlight of Liangshan travel.

While focusing on hardware development, the scenic area has also delved deeply into the cultural essence of the Water Margin, continuously enlivening the visitor experience. It has planned and launched grand Water Margin-themed stage performances such as “Heroes’ Welcome,” along with situational dramas like “Yan Qing’s Wrestling Match,” “The Real and Fake Li Kui,” “Yang Zhi Selling His Sword,” “Drunken Beating of Jiang Men Shen,” and “Wu Song Fighting the Tiger,” which are performed regularly at various attractions. These create a distinctive Water Margin cultural performance experience on Liangshan, deepening visitors’ impressions of Water Margin culture and meeting their psychological expectations.

Folk art performances such as “Lotus Fall,” quick storytelling, fish-drum ballads, and yangqin music have been introduced into the scenic area, showcasing the lingering legacy of the Water Margin in Liangshan. The area has also fully tapped into martial arts cultural resources, making them a direct way to express the spirit of the Water Margin, highlight its charm, and interpret its essence, greatly enhancing the appeal of Liangshan tourism.

Liangshan welcomes guests from all over the world to “Ascend Liangshan and Be a Hero,” aiming to become a world-renowned tourist destination.

Address: Southeast corner of Liangshan County, Jining City, Shandong Province

Rating: AAAA

Tel: 4009969108, 0537-7311108, 0537-7329016

Opening Hours:

Low season (November – March): 7:00–17:00; Peak season (April – October): 6:00–19:00.

Ticket: 60 RMB

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of Municipal Cultural Relic Protection Units in Jining City