Shiheng Town Scenic Area

Shiheng Town Scenic Area

[Xianling Palace] is located at the western end of Shiheng Village, Feicheng City, commonly known as the West Palace Temple or the “Traveling Palace.” It was built in March of the 42nd year of the Wanli reign during the Ming Dynasty (1614) and currently features a well-preserved main hall, east and west side halls, and front passageway hall, making it the most intact Ming Dynasty architecture in Feicheng City. Inside, there is a statue of the Goddess Bixia Yuanjun in a sleeping posture, affectionately called the “Sleeping Grandma.” The main hall’s roof ridge is decorated with a colorful ceramic coiled dragon, while both gable walls feature colorful ceramic sculptures of high artistic value.

[Fushan Temple] is situated approximately 1 kilometer northwest of Shiheng Village, Feicheng City, on Fushan Mountain (commonly called Shimiao Mountain), near the eastern side of the mountain’s summit, which is said to be the site where the Seven Buddhas passed on the sacred light. The temple was originally built during the Tang Dynasty and has undergone multiple renovations. Its structures include the main hall, which once housed the original “Seven Buddhas Passing on the Sacred Light” deities, as well as the Spring and Autumn Pavilion, the Wenchang Pavilion, the Jade Emperor Hall, and the Kuixing Tower. Due to wars and the Cultural Revolution, the temple now lies in ruins, with only remnants remaining. In front of the temple, there was originally a stone stele from the 42nd year of the Wanli reign (1614) inscribed by Li Bangzhen, which has since disappeared. Only one stone stele remains, erected in the 23rd year of the Qianlong reign (1758) by Tao Shuyi, the magistrate of Feicheng from Xinye. On the western stone wall is a stone engraving from the 16th year of the Chongzhen reign (1636), inscribed by Zheng Wei, the magistrate of Feicheng, that reads “Seven Buddhas Passing on the Sacred Light.” This phrase was one of the Sixteen Scenic Spots of Feicheng established by Zheng Wei. Not far below the mountain temple, there used to be a theater stage built by Yin Xuanduo and Yin Xingduo of Shiheng, which has also vanished. Nearby, there are now modern structures such as microwave stations, the Yellow River irrigation canal, and power transmission towers. Throughout history, many scholars and poets have visited the temple and composed poems about it. For example, Yin Huiying, a successful candidate in the imperial examination during the Xianfeng reign of the Qing Dynasty and an official in the Tuntian Division of the Ministry of Works, wrote: “A towering tower rises abruptly into the azure sky, majestic cliffs stand highest atop. Through endless ages, the sacred light of the Seven Buddhas lingers; today, the temple’s grandeur stands strong for a thousand autumns. It reaches far into the majestic land between Mount Tai and the sea, and nearby controls Taizhou with the Ox of Tao. To the west of Feizi City lies Shiheng Town, where the vast Bi River flows around the village.”

[Houhengyu Tanghuai (Tang Dynasty Locust Tree)] is located at the eastern end of Houhengyu Village, Shiheng Town, about 100 meters north of the Yanjia Bridge. It is said that this tree was planted during the Tang Dynasty and is over a thousand years old. With a girth of 4.98 meters, its heart has rotted into a hollow. Originally 6 meters tall with lush foliage that shaded nearly an acre of ground, in the winter of 1978, its main branches were burned by children playing with fire. Later, however, many new branches grew from the bark. Now the tree is full of vitality, with thriving branches and leaves, becoming a scenic highlight of the area. In summer, thousands of golden flowers bloom, filling the air with the fragrance of locust blossoms while bees and butterflies dance about, attracting numerous visitors. Beside the tree is an ancient well. “The Ancient Well Reflecting the Locust Tree” is one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Shiheng. The village where the ancient tree stands has yielded several ancient tomb clusters, believed to be the place where Emperor Shun once resided.

Address: Shiheng Town, Feicheng

Recommended visiting time: About 1 hour

Supporting facilities:

Shiheng Town offers many supporting dining and accommodation options near the scenic area

Self-driving directions:

Take the Jining–Heze Expressway — exit at Pingyin intersection — drive 10 kilometers east to arrive