Wangshimen Village

Wangshimen Village

Scenic Area Title: Rural Tourism (Shandong Province Featured Tourism Village)

A provincial-level featured tourism village. The nearby Wangshimen “Heavenly Abode” scenic area is a national 3A-level attraction. Situated amidst the rolling mountains of Dawangzhuang Town in the northwest of Laiwu, on the eastern foothills of Xiangshan Mountain and north of Tuanshan Mountain, it sits at an altitude of 851 meters, making it the highest-altitude village in Shandong Province. Here you can experience the simple folk customs atop the high mountains, explore the ancient and pristine deep valleys and dense forests, and admire the beautiful scenery of high gorges and calm lakes. Against the backdrop of blue skies, white clouds, green mountains, and clear waters, the entire village resembles a mountain stronghold in the clouds, a paradise on earth, hence earning the title “Heavenly Abode.” The village’s residences, local customs, and way of life all retain their pristine, natural state. You can enjoy farmhouse meals and lodging here, with distinctive courtyards offering an escape from the hustle and bustle of the outside world.

The “Heavenly Abode” Wangshimen Village has a total of 73 households and 256 residents. The mountain village sits at an altitude of 851 meters, where the sky is high and the clouds are light, with no severe cold in winter and no intense heat in summer. There is also a unique natural phenomenon: there are no mosquitoes or flies in the mountains. The houses, with their blue walls and red tiles, are built along the mountain slopes, rising and falling in elevation, occasionally punctuated by the crowing of chickens that highlights the tranquility of the mountain village. Jiutian Lake and Jiulong Lake lie in front and behind, with shimmering lake views surrounded by mountain scenery, shaded by lush pines and cypresses, dotted with wildflowers and grasses, caressed by the mountain breeze, and accompanied by the chirping of birds. All of this seems to have cleansed the little village of around 200 people of any worldly smoke or vanity, ridding it of pretense, leaving it so serene and peaceful — like an old man weathered by time or a wise sage lost in silent contemplation.

To develop rural tourism, in 2009, Wangshimen Village established one of the province’s first rural tourism professional cooperatives to manage farmhouse guesthouses in a unified manner, further enhancing the village’s visibility and reputation. In 2010, the village began renovating the old residential area. The renovated houses mainly serve as farmhouse guest accommodations, each able to host 5–10 tourists. Upon entering a farmhouse, you can taste authentic local specialties such as pine mushroom stewed chicken, free-range chicken, locust flower pancakes, and locust flower buns. The free-range chickens raised by the villagers often stroll leisurely out from the woods, unafraid and unperturbed by strangers, living in carefree contentment. As the ancients said: “The joy of life doesn’t lie in quantity — even within a small basin or a tiny stone, the beauty of mist and clouds is complete.” Lying quietly beside the forest stones, watching the chickens forage, with faint fragrances wafting through the air, the mountain breeze gently blowing — in such a scene, one would not wish to think of anything else, transcending the mundane world and becoming one with nature. If you have the time to stay for a few days, leaving behind the noise of the outside world and quietly experiencing the freshness and serenity of the mountain village, you will surely be so enchanted that you won’t want to leave.

Nearby lies the Wangshimen “Heavenly Abode” scenic area, nestled among the mountains in the central part of the Qilu Grand Canyon Tourist Area. The area boasts abundant natural tourism resources, with its main attractions comprising “Three Valleys, Two Lakes, One Garden, and One Village.” The “Three Valleys” refer to the Jiutian Grand Canyon, Shimen Grand Canyon, and Locust Flower Valley. These valleys feature deep gorges, unique rocks, crystal-clear waters, dense forests, abundant birds, vibrant flowers, high skies, and light clouds, preserving a rare, pristine landscape. The “Two Lakes” are Jiulong Lake and Jiutian Lake, known for their clear, sparkling waters and the unique charm of highland lakes. The “One Garden” is the Thousand-Mu Peony Garden, which blooms in spring, summer, and autumn, displaying majestic and competing blossoms of rare beauty, attracting butterflies and bees, giving the impression of a heavenly paradise descending to earth. The “One Village” is Wangshimen Village, situated at an altitude of 851 meters, the highest-altitude village in Shandong Province. The villagers are kind-hearted, the village culture is simple and honest, and ancient customs and traditions are still preserved. Surrounded by mountains often shrouded in mist, it has long been known as the “Heavenly Abode.”

Address: Wangshimen Village, Dawangzhuang Town, Laiwu City

Price: 40 RMB per person

Tour Route: Canyon Eco Self-Drive Tour

1. Main Attractions:

Dulu Village, Wangshimen “Heavenly Abode,” Lotus Mountain

2. Suggested Itinerary:

Two-Day Tour: Dulu Village – Wangshimen “Heavenly Abode” – Lotus Mountain

Day 1: Travel via S243 to Dulu Village in Dawangzhuang Town. The village features well-spaced homes and a simple, honest folk culture, typical of the central Shandong mountainous region. It is home to over 800 century-old chestnut trees covering a large area, recognized by experts as the “Tang Dynasty Chestnut Garden.” Enjoy lunch at a farmhouse restaurant in the village, then drive 4 km southeast to reach Wangshimen “Heavenly Abode.” The area features winding and majestic mountain ridges, dense vegetation, fresh air, and a well-preserved primitive ecological environment. Major attractions include the Jiutian Grand Canyon, Shimen Grand Canyon, Locust Flower Valley, Jiutian Lake, Jiulong Lake, and Wangshimen Village. Wangshimen Village, at an altitude of 851 meters, is the highest-altitude village in Shandong Province and is known as the “Heavenly Abode.” The Jiutian Grand Canyon combines unique rocks, steep peaks, waterfalls, streams, and dense forests. The Shimen Grand Canyon boasts a majestic presence with a “one man can hold the pass against ten thousand” feel. The Wangshimen Rural Tourism Cooperative provides farmhouse meals and accommodation.

Day 2: Head to Lotus Mountain Scenic Area (via S242 to Laiwu City, then enter via E’liu Line, approximately 50 km). The area features crisscrossing ravines, towering mountains, flowing waters, and beautiful scenery, with the main peak, Lotus Peak, reaching an elevation of 994 meters. Key attractions of the scenic area include the 26.6-meter-tall, 46.6-ton “Guanyin Bronze Statue,” the tallest seated Guanyin statue in China. In summer and autumn after rain, standing at the mountaintop and looking east, you might catch a glimpse of one of Laiwu’s ancient eight scenic spots — the “Guan Mountain Sunset.” The 170,000-cubic-meter Lotus Heavenly Pool has crystal-clear water like a mirror, earning it the reputation of a “heavenly pool on earth.”

Transportation Guide

Public Transport:

Take bus K206 within the city to the terminal, then transfer to a small bus to Longwei to arrive.

Self-Driving Guide:

Exit at Yangzhuang on the Tai-Lai Expressway, then drive via Huihe Avenue and S244 to the Dawangzhuang Town government seat to enter the scenic area.

Parking Information:

Parking is available in the village square.