Jinan Thousand Buddha Mountain Scenic Area

Jinan Thousand Buddha Mountain Scenic Area

Jinan Thousand Buddha Mountain Scenic Area is a national scenic area and a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

Thousand Buddha Mountain is one of Jinan’s three major scenic spots, located in the city center, with an elevation of 285 meters. Before the Zhou Dynasty, it was called Mount Li. Legend has it that Emperor Shun once cultivated the land at the foot of the mountain, hence it is also known as Shun’s Farming Mountain. During the Sui Kaihuang era, numerous Buddha statues were carved into the mountainside, and the “Thousand Buddha Temple” was built, from which the name Thousand Buddha Mountain originated. In the Tang Dynasty, the “Thousand Buddha Temple” was renamed “Xingguo Chan Temple.” Since the Yuan Dynasty, temple fairs have been held annually on the third day of the third lunar month and the ninth day of the ninth lunar month. The temple was expanded during the Ming Dynasty, eventually becoming a popular pilgrimage site.

Xingguo Chan Temple is situated on the mountainside of Thousand Buddha Mountain, with the Thousand Buddha Cliff to its south, where more than 130 Buddha statues from the Sui Kaihuang period are preserved. On the cliff, there are Longquan Cave, Jile Cave, Qianlou Cave, and Lüzu Cave. To the east of Xingguo Chan Temple lies Lishan Academy, originally a mixed courtyard integrating Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism, featuring structures such as the Shun Shrine, Lu Ban Shrine, and Yilan Pavilion. At the northern foot of Thousand Buddha Mountain lies the Ten Thousand Buddha Cave, which integrates China’s four major grottoes. Visitors can admire Buddhist statues from the Northern Wei, Tang, and Song dynasties here. The Revolutionary Martyrs’ Cemetery of the 1911 Revolution is located on the eastern foothills of Thousand Buddha Mountain and is a provincial-level key cultural relic protection unit. In addition, scattered around are attractions such as the “Tang Locust Pavilion,” “Qi Yan Jiu Dian” (Nine Spots of Qi Smoke), and the “Yun Jing Chan Guan” (Cloud Path Zen Pass) archway.

Ticket Information

Ticket: 30 RMB

Ticket Details: Xingguo Chan Temple: 5 RMB; Guanyin Garden: 3 RMB; Ten Thousand Buddha Cave: 15 RMB

Free Admission: Active-duty military personnel; seniors with a Shandong Province senior ID; children under 1.2 meters; tour guides with an IC card.

Address: No. 18, Jingshiyi Road, Lixia District, Jinan

Operating Hours: Summer/Autumn 6:00–18:30; Winter/Spring 6:30–18:00

Suggested Visiting Time: About 3 hours

Featured Attraction: The “Qi Yan Jiu Dian” (Nine Spots of Qi Smoke) Archway is located midway along the western path of Thousand Buddha Mountain. From here, looking north, you can see nine isolated peaks: Wolong Mountain, Huashan, Que Mountain, Biao Mountain, Phoenix Mountain, North Ma’an Mountain, Su Mountain, Kuang Mountain, and Yaoshan, collectively known as the “Nine Spots of Qi Smoke” landscape.

Suggested Tour Route: Main Gate – Yingfang Garden – Slide – Magic Locust Pavilion – Qi Yan Jiu Dian – West Temple – Wangdai Pavilion – First Mihua – Luoyun Pavilion – East Temple – Chrysanthemum Garden – Cable Car – Maitreya Buddha – Ten Thousand Buddha Cave

Guide Fee: 20 RMB per person

Supporting Facilities:

Thousand Buddha Mountain Park features hiking as its highlight, and offers comprehensive supporting services including calligraphy and painting shops, handicrafts, teahouses, dining, and photography.

Visitor Service Center: Located inside the main gate ticket office, providing services such as guided tours.

Public Transport:

Tourist shuttle buses are not currently available. Buses: Take Bus 64 and get off at Thousand Buddha Mountain Scenic Area Stop; Bus 85 and get off at Thousand Buddha Mountain West Gate Stop; K68 and get off at Shandong Provincial Cultural Center Stop.

Self-Driving Directions:

Exit from the west exit of the Jinan Ring Expressway on G2 (Beijing–Fuzhou Expressway), head east along Jingshi Road, or exit from the east exit of the Jinan Ring Expressway on the Jiqing Expressway, head west along Jingshi Road to Thousand Buddha Mountain Road to reach the site, about a 20-minute drive after exiting the highway.

Parking Information:

Parking lots are located at the entrances of various scenic areas, each accommodating approximately 40–50 vehicles.

Address: No. 18, Jingshiyi Road, Lixia District, Jinan

Type: Mountain, Historical Site, Temple

Rating: AAAA

Recommended Visiting Time: 2–3 hours

Phone: 0531-82662340; 0531-82662292

Official website: http://www.jnqianfoshan.com

Opening hours:

6:30-18:30

Further reading:

· Ninth batch of National Scenic Areas