Xintai Lotus Mountain Scenic Area, Tai'an City

Xintai Lotus Mountain Scenic Area, Tai'an City

Xintai Lotus Mountain Scenic Area is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

Lotus Mountain in Xintai, historically called Xinfu Mountain, boasts nine prominent peaks resembling a lotus blossom. It is located in the central region of Shandong Province, 20 kilometers northwest of downtown Xintai, 50 kilometers west of Mount Tai, and 80 kilometers south of Qufu, spanning a total area of 100 square kilometers with the highest peak at 999 meters above sea level. The Lotus Mountain tourist area lies at the core within a 20-kilometer radius of the interconnected Tailei, Laixin, and Beijing-Shanghai expressways, and enjoys direct access via a special tourist roadway.

Xintai Lotus Mountain

The Lotus Mountain tourist area is the most distinctive religious and cultural tourism destination in Shandong Province. Serving as the northern sacred site of Guanyin (the Goddess of Mercy), it is honored as the "Guanyin Paradise, Northern Mount Putuo," and is renowned as the foremost Buddhist mountain in the Qilu region. The dominant Buddhist culture here—centered on Guanyin worship—along with the Taoist culture of Mount Tai and the Confucian culture of Qufu, together form the “golden religious triangle” of Shandong Province. This makes the Mount Tai–Lotus Mountain–Qufu route the premier religious and cultural tourism trail within the province. At the same time, the Lotus Mountain tourist area is also the most unique eco-tourism and leisure resort in Shandong, celebrated for its distinctive natural landscapes and pristine, beautiful ecological environment, making it a natural “health retreat.” The area boasts profound historical and cultural heritage, with religious tourism resources being the most prominent—especially the supreme status of Guanyin in Buddhist culture. In temples such as the Xinggong (Imperial Travel Palace), Yungu Temple, and Taiping Nunnery, every main hall enshrines Guanyin as the principal deity. This is particularly unique in North China. Moreover, due to Guanyin’s widespread veneration as the compassionate savior, she holds strong appeal for visitors. With its enchanting natural scenery, historically bustling religious activity, and superior geographical location, the area has attracted numerous emperors and literati throughout history, leaving behind a wealth of historical relics. These include the First Emperor’s Ancestral Temple, Emperor Wu of Han’s Travel Palace, Wangxian Platform, the Ringing Bell Stele, and Kuibi Pagoda, among 83 cultural and scenic sites. Poetic odes and writings range from the “Cypresses of Xinfu” in the 2,500-year-old Book of Songs to a vast array of poems and travelogues since the Ming and Qing dynasties, making for a considerable literary collection. Additionally, the mountainsides are dotted with numerous stone inscriptions such as “Two Mountains Part Like Doors,” “The Path Winds Amid Peaks,” and “Between Heaven and Earth”—each not only rich in implied meaning but also serving as poetic highlights of the scenery. The natural landscape of the Lotus Mountain tourist area is characterized by elegant mountains, peculiar rocks, lush forests, and beautiful waters, embodying a distinctive charm that merges the styles of both northern and southern China. The mountain contours are soft and rounded, covered by dense, towering forests, which enhance the area's exceptional beauty. There are 203 natural scenic spots, including the Heavenly Guanyin, Xinfu Verdant Embrace, Xinfu Buddha’s Halo, Thousand-Hand Pine, and Longevity Pool. Among them, the Heavenly Guanyin is the most unique—not only for its lifelike and exquisitely natural form, but also for highlighting the cultural identity of Lotus Mountain. The naturally formed landscape blends seamlessly with the area’s long historical legacy, showcasing a unique resource charm. The water features are also outstanding: the plunging Yungu Waterfall and the winding Tongtian River bring vitality to the mountain’s beauty. Especially along the valleys at the foot of the mountain, waterfalls and springs are found everywhere, each with its own beautiful legend that adds to their special allure. The area is rich in plant life. Since ancient times, it has been famed for the “Cypresses of Xinfu,” forming the renowned “Xinfu Verdant Embrace” landscape. Today, the mountain vegetation is dominated by pines and cypresses, with lush forests and numerous ancient and famous trees—especially landscape trees with unique shapes, such as the Canopy Pine at the Jade Emperor Hall and the Reclining Dragon Pine in the Xinggong. In addition, there are many clusters of trees, such as Sister Pines, Brother Locusts, and the Peach Garden Trio (mulberry trees), all of which inspire awe while resonating with Guanyin’s child-seeking cultural significance.

The tourist area is also the most distinctive eco-tourism and leisure resort destination in Shandong Province. Owing to its unique natural landscapes and pristine, beautiful ecological environment, it serves as a natural “health station.” The area has a deep historical and cultural foundation, with religious tourism resources being the most prominent—especially the lofty status of Guanyin in Buddhist culture. Within temples such as the Xinggong, Yungu Temple, and Taiping Nunnery, Guanyin is enshrined as the primary deity in every main hall. This is particularly distinctive in North China. Additionally, because the compassionate and salvation-oriented Guanyin enjoys broad popular support, she holds strong appeal for visitors. With its captivating natural scenery, a history of flourishing religious worship, and excellent location advantages, the area has drawn many emperors and literati over the centuries, leaving behind a wealth of historical remains. There are 83 cultural sites and attractions, such as the First Emperor’s Ancestral Temple, Emperor Wu of Han’s Travel Palace, Wangxian Platform, the Ringing Bell Stele, and Kuibi Pagoda. Poetic literature ranges from the “Cypresses of Xinfu” mentioned in the 2,500-year-old Book of Songs to a wealth of poetry and travel journals since the Ming and Qing dynasties—offering a significant body of work. Moreover, the mountain paths are lined with numerous stone carvings, such as “Two Mountains Part Like Doors,” “The Path Twists Through Peaks,” and “Between Heaven and Earth.” These are not only subtly meaningful but also serve as inspired highlights of the surrounding scenery. The natural landscape of the Lotus Mountain tourist area is characterized mainly by elegant mountains, unique rocks, verdant forests, and beautiful waters. With its graceful northern charm and southern elegance, it holds high aesthetic value. The mountain ridges have soft contours and mostly rounded peaks, blanketed by tall, dense forests, which render the mountains exceptionally beautiful. There are 203 natural scenic features, including the Heavenly Guanyin, Xinfu Verdant Embrace, Xinfu Buddha’s Halo, Thousand-Hand Pine, and Longevity Pool. Among these, the Heavenly Guanyin is especially distinctive—not only for its lifelike and vivid form, but also for reflecting the cultural essence of Lotus Mountain. The naturally formed landscape and the area’s long historical context merge organically, displaying a unique charm. The water scenery is also notable, with the cascading Yungu Waterfall and the winding, serene Tongtian River adding spiritual vibrancy to the mountain’s beauty. Especially in the valleys at the mountain’s base, waterfalls and springs are abundant, each with its own charming legend, contributing to their special appeal. The area is rich in vegetation. Historically famous for the “Cypresses of Xinfu,” it forms the well-known “Xinfu Verdant Embrace” view. Currently, the mountain is mainly covered with pine and cypress trees, with lush growth and many ancient and rare specimens—especially landscape trees with unique forms, such as the Canopy Pine at the Jade Emperor Hall and the Reclining Dragon Pine in the Xinggong. In addition, there are many clusters of trees, such as Sister Pines, Brother Locust Trees, and the Peach Garden Trio (mulberry trees), which are not only astonishing but also resonate with Guanyin’s child-seeking cultural themes.

The area enjoys a pleasant climate, clean air, clear water, and lush vegetation, with a forest coverage rate of 92.3%. Its natural, harmonious, tranquil, and rustic ecological environment holds great value for leisure and wellness.

Lotus Mountain Forest Park is divided into six major tourist zones: the Xinggong Zone, Taiping Nunnery Zone, Yungu Temple Zone, North Tianmen Zone, Ringing Bell Stele Zone, and Mozi Workshop Zone.

Address: Northern part of Xintai City, Shandong Province

Ticket: 50 RMB