Niushan National Forest Park

Niushan National Forest Park

Niushan National Forest Park is a national AAA-level tourist attraction and a national forest park.

Niushan, also known as Quanniu Mountain or "Lush Green Mountain," is located in the northern part of Feicheng City, Shandong Province, 11.5 kilometers from the new city area. Covering an area of 3,000 hectares, its main peak, Mukuzhai, stands at an elevation of 524 meters. The entire mountain is covered with dense, well-arranged forests and boasts numerous scenic spots. The landscape is characterized by clear waters, lush mountains, verdant forests, and a fairy-tale-like ambiance. From afar, the peaks gather like crowds, and the cliffs stand like screens; up close, you’ll see layers of emerald pines and cypresses, as well as slender vines climbing ancient trees. The area hosts over 700 species of plants and more than 150 species of wildlife.

The main peak, Mukuzhai, is situated atop the mountain at an elevation of 524 meters. It features over 3,600 meters of remaining stone-built fortress walls, with tall stone barriers equipped with shelters—making it highly defensible and a typical example of ancient military defensive architecture. It is said to have been a garrison site for the Song Dynasty heroine Mu Guiying. The cliff inscriptions on Tao Mountain are simple yet powerful, the Seventy-Two Caves offer secluded, winding paths, and the stone-carved Buddha statues display a variety of forms. In the first year of the Dazhong Xiangfu era of the Song Dynasty (1008 AD), Emperor Zhenzong of Song visited Niushan on his way back from the Tai Mountain Enthronement Ceremony and named it "Lush Green Mountain." This is a national forest park and a national AA-level tourist attraction that integrates travel, sightseeing, leisure, and vacation. The scenic area boasts beautiful mountains and waters, lush forests, a heavenly atmosphere, gathered peaks, screen-like cliffs, pines veiling cypresses, and vines climbing ancient trees—it is a natural tourist destination. The area features numerous natural and cultural landscapes and was once a battleground where the Northern Song Dynasty general Mu Guiying stationed her troops. Nearly ten thousand meters of fortress walls still remain, making it the most intact ancient mountain stronghold in China, acclaimed as "the world’s foremost ancient mountain stronghold." Coupled with legendary tales of historical figures such as Fan Li, Xi Shi, Mu Guiying, and Li Bangzhen, Niushan boasts a unique natural landscape and cultural ambiance.

Within Niushan Park, the Guishan Rock Carving is a standing stone pillar on the mountaintop, measuring 4.1 meters in height, 1.6 meters in width, and 0.3 meters in thickness. It earned its name (Guishan, meaning "Mandate Jade") due to its resemblance to a "ming gui" (a ceremonial jade tablet held by civil and military officials in feudal society when appearing before the emperor, used to shield their eyes while presenting memorials). The stone bears the two characters "Guishan" ("Mandate Jade Mountain"), carved in bold and vigorous calligraphy. The character "Guī" (Jade) is 120 cm tall and 94 cm wide, while the character "Shān" (Mountain) is 87 cm tall and 100 cm wide. These were inscribed by Li Bangzhen, an imperial censor of the Ming Dynasty. On the massive rock north of the "Guishan" carving, there is another inscription titled "Ode to Guishan" by Li Bangzhen: "At the peak of the southern mountain, the stone stands towering. How towering is it? Its form resembles a mandate jade. Shun used it to gather auspicious signs, Yu to proclaim his achievements. It heralds our culture, where the worthy ascend in succession."