Longtan Reservoir on Mount Tai

Longtan Reservoir on Mount Tai

Heading up from the Tian Di Square on Mount Tai, there is a long valley known as the West Valley. This area boasts many scenic spots, and Longtan Reservoir is one of them. Built in 1942, Longtan Reservoir is the largest reservoir in the Mount Tai scenic area. The dam stands 19 meters high and stretches 165 meters long, with a total storage capacity of 450,000 cubic meters and an effective storage capacity of 360,000 square meters.

The reservoir is flanked by lush peaks, with mountain hues and lake reflections creating a picturesque scene. During summer and autumn, water overflows from the dam, forming a waterfall that brings a refreshing sense of tranquility, making it a renowned tourist attraction within the Mount Tai scenic area.

To the east of Longtan Reservoir lies a mountain, with verdant pines and cypresses reflected in the water, giving the lake a jade-like green hue. People of all ages swim and play here year-round, adding lively energy to this serene landscape.

One morning in 2015, passersby noticed a stone carving appearing on a cliff on the northwest side of the reservoir. The carving bore the three characters “惠我泉” (Hui Wo Quan, meaning “Benefiting Me Spring”). Seeing these characters stirred excitement, as locals had heard elders speak of a spring once located here called “惠我泉,” complete with its own stone inscription. Over the years, despite frequent visits to the mountain, no one had ever seen this engraving, unaware it had been submerged underwater. While the origins of Hui Wo Quan have been passed down orally through generations, little is truly known about its history.

Due to a sharp decline in rainfall in Tai’an since winter began, the current Longtan Reservoir has significantly less water surface area compared to the past, with rocks of various sizes now exposed along the shoreline. Judging by the water marks left on the stones, the water level is roughly estimated to have dropped by five to six meters.

After walking about a hundred meters, the carving was finally spotted. Though approximately 50 meters from the opposite shore, the three characters “惠我泉” remain highly visible. The engraving faces east and is carved into a massive rock. The surrounding cliff face is unusually smooth, as if artificially smoothed. The three characters of “惠我泉” are about 50 centimeters tall, with neat, powerful, and vigorous strokes that exude a grand aura. As for the origin of the carving, some say it was inscribed by Feng Yuxiang, while others dispute this. On the walking path along the reservoir’s shore, locals often pass by during their workouts. Upon hearing about the appearance of the “惠我泉” carving in the reservoir, many expressed surprise. Several mentioned having heard of the carving before but never seeing it, and opinions vary widely regarding its origins.

A family living near the spring would come daily to draw water for drinking, and they enjoyed lasting good health afterward. Grateful for the nourishing spring, they engraved the three characters “惠我泉” beside the spring.

Ms. Zheng, who lives near Tian Wai Village, heard from her elders that the renowned patriotic general Feng Yuxiang, during his retreat on Mount Tai, discovered this spring by chance. Finding the water delicious and feeling refreshed after drinking it, he inscribed the name and had it carved into the rock.

Historical records indicate that the “惠我泉” carving was inscribed in the 55th year of the Daoguang reign during the Qing Dynasty (1845) by Liu Jian from Wudi, accompanied by a postscript. Who Liu Jian was and why he wrote these three characters remain unclear—currently, no historical records about Liu Jian have been found. Ma Hui also stated that although there is limited historical material on Hui Wo Quan, it is still listed as one of the 72 Famous Springs of Mount Tai in the Shandong Provincial Annals · Mount Tai Annals. Hou Chuanpeng, a post-80s enthusiast who researches mountain springs, has spent years traveling across Mount Tai in his spare time. After more than three years of exploration, he has compiled data on over 70 springs on Mount Tai. According to Hou, besides Hui Wo Quan, Longtan Reservoir also submerged numerous other historical relics underwater.

Longtan Reservoir was constructed in 1942 when Japanese invaders occupied Tai’an. The site was formerly known as “Mo Mo Shi” (Steamed Bun Rock), a uniquely scenic large flat rock. The Japanese built the reservoir for undisclosed political motives—to submerge the inscription of Mozi · Fei Gong Shang (Chapter on Non-Aggression from Mozi) written by Feng Yuxiang (some say Li Liejun).

To prevent people from seeing the large-character inscription of Mozi · Fei Gong Shang—comparable to the famous Jinshi Valley carvings—the Japanese first intentionally destroyed the stone engraving. They then used the broken stones to build the base of the dam, upon which Longtan Reservoir was constructed. In addition to submerging Mozi · Fei Gong Shang, the reservoir also buried other sites including “Jian Xie Shi” (Sword Sheath Stone), “Shi Jian Shi” (Sword Testing Stone), “Xian Ying Shi” (Fairy Shadow Stone), “Luo Gu Wan” (Gong and Drum Bay), “Yao Xing Wan” (Shining Star Bay), as well as inscribed rocks “Nong Shui Yan” (Playing with Water Rock) and “Ji Long Feng” (Chicken Cage Peak), and the “Hui Wo Quan” spring.