Jinan Foohui Mountain

Jinan Foohui Mountain

Scenic Area Title: Cultural Relics Protection Unit (Municipal Level)

Foohui Mountain is located southeast of Thousand Buddha Mountain. In ancient times, it was also called Dafu Mountain because of the giant Buddha carved on the mountain. During the Ming Dynasty’s Wanli era, Jinan Prefect Ping Kangyu built a massive stone pillar on the mountain resembling a stake, commonly referred to as “Stake Mountain.” It was also poetically called “Literary Brush Peak” or “Literary Wall Peak” due to its resemblance to a writing brush.

Foohui Mountain has an elevation of 460 meters, featuring steep terrain, towering boulders, and winding valleys. In autumn, the mountainside is covered in red maples and yellow flowers. During the Double Ninth Festival, literati throughout history would often climb here to admire the chrysanthemums and compose poetry, a practice known as “Viewing Chrysanthemums at Foohui Mountain,” which was one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Old Jinan.

On the northern wall of the mountain peak lies a massive Buddha niche, completed in 1924. About 9 meters high, it features a central arched doorway with the inscription “Mahavira Hall” above the lintel, written by Zhang Yinglin, a late Qing Dynasty imperial censor and calligrapher from Jinan. At the front of the niche stands a Buddha statue initially carved into the mountain in the Northern Song Dynasty’s Jingluo year (1035) and completed the following year. The statue is 7.8 meters tall and 4 meters wide, majestic and solemn in appearance. Since only the chest and shoulders are sculpted, it is commonly called the “Great Buddha Head.” On the western stone wall of the niche is an inscription recording the renovation in March of the 35th year of the Wanli era (1607). The eastern wall bears the four large characters “Great Compassion,” also inscribed during the Ming Dynasty. Outside the niche on the eastern side of the stone wall are two square, dense-eave relief pagodas carved in the Jingluo year of the Northern Song Dynasty, exuding delicate forms and elegant style.

Ascending from the niche leads to the mountain summit, offering spectacular views. The city’s densely packed buildings, the mirror-like Ming Lake, the winding Yellow River, and the picturesque scenery of the “Nine Spots of Qi Smoke” can all be seen from here.

Beneath the peak of Foohui Mountain lies a deep valley, the site of the ancient Kaiyuan Temple. This temple has a long history. According to the “Continuation of Licheng County Annals · Epigraphy III,” remnants of the characters “Emperor of the Great Sui” can be found on the stone walls at the temple site, indicating that Buddhism had reached this area as early as the Sui Dynasty. During the Tang Dynasty’s Kaiyuan era (713–741), the “Foohui Temple” was built. In the Northern Song Dynasty’s Jingluo year, it was renamed again. When the Kaiyuan Temple in downtown Jinan was taken over by the government during the Qing Dynasty, the monks were relocated here, and the temple was subsequently renamed “Kaiyuan Temple.” Surrounded by mountains on three sides and shaded by pine and cypress trees, with vines hanging down, the temple was exceptionally serene. It originally had five main halls and three side halls on the east and west, along with several lilac trees from the Song Dynasty. Behind the main hall, multiple upper and lower cave chambers were carved into the northern rock wall. In the past, scholars often came here to study. On the western end of the rock wall is the Zhenwu Cave, carved in the 58th year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty (1793). Below the cave, a turtle sculpture is carved into the mountain with a snake coiled around its neck—a uniquely designed and quaint piece. Around the courtyard cliffs are many Buddhist statues carved during the Tang Dynasty. Spring water seeps through cracks in the rock walls, known as “Longevity Spring” and “Sweet Dew Spring.” In summer, the area is shaded by greenery and enjoys cool temperatures, making it a popular spot for visitors throughout history to escape the heat, taste tea, and enjoy the scenery.

After enduring the passage of time, the temple structures have collapsed, and most of the stone Buddha statues are badly damaged. However, inscriptions from the Tang and Song Dynasties remain relatively intact on the rock walls. The clear springs gurgle, and lush trees abound, maintaining the serene beauty of the landscape.

To the west of Kaiyuan Temple, hidden beneath the rocky cliffs in the depths of a dense forest, lies a natural cave called “Woyun Cave.” Legend says it was the resting place of Woyun, a monk from Kaiyuan Temple. The cave is narrow at the top and wider at the bottom, about 7 meters high and approximately 30 meters deep. Inside are inscriptions and peculiar stalactites. Dripping water echoes from the rock crevices, collecting into a small pool before flowing out as a stream along the cave floor. The cave entrance is adorned with mountain flowers and draped with soft branches. The surrounding area features sheer cliffs, intertwined woods, and a secluded, tranquil atmosphere.

Address: Middle Section of Luyou Road, Lixia District, Jinan City (south of Yuchi Imperial Palace Hotel)

Business Hours: 6:00–18:00

Visiting Time: Approximately 3 hours

Price Description: Free Admission

Featured Attractions: Great Buddha Head: Built during the Song Dynasty, the Great Buddha Head is a key cultural relics protection unit announced by Jinan in 1979. A niche was built over the statue, with the words “Mahavira Hall” inscribed by the late Qing scholar Zhang Yinglin.

Tour Guide Fee: Free – Open scenic area.

Visitor Service Center: Free – Open scenic area.

Transportation Guide

Self-driving Guide:

G20 Expressway – Jinan Ring Expressway – Exit at Jinan East – Head west along Jingshi Road – Turn right about 200 meters south at the Jingshi Road and Lishan Road intersection – Jingshiyi Road – Continue west along Jingshiyi Road for about 50 meters – South Gate of Thousand Buddha Mountain – Middle Section of Luyou Road – South of Yuchi Imperial Palace Hotel in Jinan (approximately 20 minutes’ drive after exiting the expressway).

Parking Information:

Parking area on the east side of Yuchi Imperial Palace Hotel.