Jinan Zhujiayu Folk Tourism Area

Jinan Zhujiayu Folk Tourism Area

Jinan Zhujiayu Folk Tourism Area is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

Scenic Spot Titles: Rural Tourism (Shandong Province Tourism Characteristic Village), Rural Tourism (The Most Beautiful Village in Shandong)

Zhujiayu Village has endured over 600 years of history and still relatively intact preserves ancient bridges, ancient roads, ancient ancestral halls, ancient temples, ancient houses, ancient schools, ancient springs, ancient lookouts, and other structures. The winding paths up and down the mountain are unevenly layered and exquisitely arranged. Among them, there is the "Kangxi Twin Bridge," hailed as the prototype of a modern overpass, as well as a 600-year-old ancient road. There are also cultural and natural landscapes such as the corresponding Wenchang Pavilion and Kuixing Tower, the Guan Di Temple, the Zhu Family Ancestral Hall, and the Seven-Turned Altar Bridge — totaling over 300 sites that are simple, elegant, and incredibly precious. Experts have praised it as the "Living Encyclopedia of Northern Chinese Mountain Villages" and the "Foremost Ancient Village in Qilu, a Settlement Specimen of North China."

"Foremost Ancient Village in Qilu, a Settlement Specimen of North China" — Zhujiayu is located 5 kilometers southeast of Mingshui City, at the northeastern foot of Mount Hu, about 40 kilometers from the provincial capital Jinan. It can be reached by traveling 1.5 kilometers south along National Highway 309 (Jingshi East Road).

Zhujiayu was originally named Chengjiao Yu, later changed to Fushan Yu. The Zhu family moved into the village in the fourth year of the Hongwu reign during the Ming Dynasty (1371). Since Zhu was the imperial surname, Fushan Yu was renamed Zhujiayu. According to experts from within and outside the province, pottery fragments and sika deer antler fossils unearthed from the earthen platform in the ancient village indicate that settlements existed here as far back as the Xia and Shang dynasties, more than 3,800 years ago. From the Ming Dynasty to the present, despite over 600 years of historical change, the village has still relatively intact preserved its original ancient gates, lookouts, bridges, roads, ancestral halls, temples, houses, and schools.

Zhujiayu has a long history and brilliant culture, and has always placed great emphasis on cultural education since ancient times. From the late Ming Dynasty to before the founding of the People’s Republic of China, there were successively one Wenfeng Primary School, one Girls’ School, and one Shanyin Primary School, along with nearly twenty private schools scattered throughout the area. Hence, the village produced many talented individuals.

In June 2002, the Zhangqiu Municipal People’s Government designated Zhujiayu as a "Historical and Cultural Famous Village." In November 2003, the village was further recognized by the Shandong Provincial Construction Department as a "Provincial Historical and Cultural Famous Village." The ancient village of Zhujiayu is a trapezoidal settlement, with winding paths up and down the mountain, unevenly layered and exquisitely arranged. The village is surrounded by mountains on three sides, bordering the Qilu Expo Boutique Garden to the north, Mount Hu to the south, and Hu Mountain Forest Park to the west. At the southern end of the village stands the solitary beauty of Wenfeng, while at the northern end lies Wenchang. To the west, Brush Rack Mountain nestles by the edge of the village, and under the eastern cliff flows a continuous spring. There are also nine mountains around the village that do not reveal their peaks.

Zhujiayu has nearly two hundred large and small ancient buildings, over thirty large and small stone bridges, over twenty wells and springs, and more than ten temples. Structures include the Kangxi Overpass, Wenchang Pavilion, Kuixing Tower, Guan Di Temple, Zhu Family Ancestral Hall, the ancient road, the Seven-Turned Altar Bridge, the morning glow on the eastern ridge, ancient cypresses standing tall, the Tuan Shan Waterfall, reflections in the green pond, Lion Cave, Cloud Mist Cave, Chaoyang Cave, Immortal’s Table, Immortal’s Bridge, and countless other cultural and natural landscapes. As a result, Zhujiayu has been praised by experts as the "Foremost Ancient Village in Qilu, a Settlement Specimen of North China."

Ancient Temple — The Guan Di Temple was built during the Ming Dynasty and renovated in the eighth year of the Jiaqing reign of the Qing Dynasty (1808). Though small, the temple has a unique architecture, with three sides entirely built from large blue square stones. The lintel stone runs horizontally across and is exquisitely carved with a design of two dragons playing with a pearl; the left and right stone pillars are finely engraved with flying dragons climbing upward. Guan Di, or Guan Yu, was a figure of both literary and martial virtue, known for his loyalty and righteousness, and has been worshipped by people through the ages.

Ancient Ancestral Hall — The Zhu Family Ancestral Hall was built in the eighth year of the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty (1882), and about sixty years later, it was renovated in the sixth month of the 26th year of the Republic of China (1937). The Zhu Family Ancestral Hall consists of an inner and outer courtyard. The hall is constructed from finely chiseled large blue square stones, blue bricks, wooden rafters, small tiles, upturned eaves, and projecting roofs, with its design slightly modeled after that of Mount Tai. In the front courtyard, there were originally four famous trees, but now only one tall century-old cypress remains, still full of vitality.

Ancient Bridge — The Kangxi Twin Bridges consist of one bridge to the east and one to the west, about ten meters apart. The eastern bridge was built in the ninth year of the Kangxi reign (1670), and the western bridge in the 27th year (1688), dating back over 300 years. They conveniently serve both pedestrians and vehicles. The bridges are entirely built from blue stones without the use of mortar, yet they remain solid despite centuries of wind, rain, and frost, and have been praised by experts as the "embryo of a modern overpass."

Ancient Road — Also known as the Righteous Path, the ancient road was built during the Ming Dynasty and renovated in the Qing Dynasty, stretching approximately 300 meters. The term refers to the separation of up and down traffic. In the past, whether entering or leaving the village, people and horse-drawn carts all kept to the right, maintaining orderly traffic that coincidentally aligns with modern traffic rules. The villagers advocated for the renovation of this path, hence it is also called the "Righteous Path."

Ancient Wall — Structures such as the Ritual Gate and the village wall were built during the Opium War (1840–1842) to guard against bandits and ensure the safety of villagers. The Ritual Gate is entirely built from blue stones and offers a high vantage point. Additionally, stone walls connect the eastern and western mountains via the Ritual Gate, standing three to five meters high and extending about one kilometer. After more than 160 years, these structures are still relatively well preserved.

Ancient School — Shanyin Primary School was actively promoted and constructed by Zhu descendants who valued education. Construction began in the 30th year of the Republic of China (1941) and was completed in September of the 33rd year (1944). The school features a unified layout of four courtyards in a harmonious and symmetrical arrangement, forming a rectangular complex covering 6.6 mu. The school gate was modeled after the gate of the Whampoa Military Academy. The school's structure is based on blue stone foundations, with brick-framed glass windows, small tile roofs, and white lime walls, making it one of the top schools in the Zhangqiu area in the early 1940s.

Ancient Pavilion — The Wenchang Pavilion was built in the 18th year of the Daoguang reign of the Qing Dynasty (1838). Its main body is constructed from large blue square stones, with a tower above and a pavilion cave below, forming a unified whole. The roof ridge is adorned with a intricately carved design of two dragons playing with a pearl, made from over ten large square bricks, and has been praised by experts as an "exquisite example of Qing Dynasty brick carving." Since its construction, the pavilion has never been repaired and remains as solid as ever. The Wenchang Pavilion faces south and stands opposite the Kuixing Tower atop Wenfeng Mountain. Kuixing bestows scholarly success, while Wenchang governs career paths — their meanings intertwine. This kind of corresponding Taoist architecture is extremely rare in China.

Ancient Residence — The residence of a Jinshi (successful imperial examination candidate) and others were built during the Ming Dynasty’s Jiaqing era, over 200 years ago. These include the main gate courtyard, the main house courtyard, the private school courtyard, and the library tower, and it earned its name because the owner at the time was conferred the title of "Mingjing Jinshi" (Imperial Confucian Scholar) by the emperor. Aside from some decayed wooden eaves, most parts of the ancient residence are relatively well preserved.

Ancient Spring — The Everflowing Spring, the Seven-Turned Altar Bridge, and the South Pond were built in the second month of the 24th year of the Guangxu reign (1898), while the North Pond was built in the third month of the 10th year of the Republic of China (1921). On the north and south stone walls of the South Pond, there is one carved stone dragon head facing the other. During the spring season, cool spring water gushes from the dragon heads into the square pond, crystal clear to the bottom. The spring water is of high quality and has been listed among the famous springs of Jinan’s suburban scenic areas. The Altar Well has a small opening but a wide interior, shaped like an altar. Its water originates from underground streams at the foot of Wenfeng Mountain, is sweet to the taste, and has never dried up. To the north, east, and south of the Altar Well, seven small bridges are built, crisscrossing and connecting in a winding fashion. The Altar Well and the seven bridges coexist in harmony. In the past, under the green willows and beside the stone bridges, village women could always be seen washing clothes throughout the seasons.

Visitors who climb to the top of the Ritual Gate can welcome the sunrise, overlook the hills, and take in the beautiful scenery of the mountain village. In the deep autumn, they can admire the red leaves covering the mountains, and after heavy snow, the jade-like trees and peaks create a landscape that is even more captivating.

The "Foremost Number One Scholar’s Bell of Qilu" and the "Northern Scholar’s Stele" on Wenfeng Mountain inspire aspiring students to strive for excellence. The Happy Valley is equipped with a full range of traditional folk sports equipment, and amusement rides that keep children enthralled.

Multiple tourism, dining, and accommodation venues such as Wenfeng Mountain Villa, Qingquan Mountain Villa, and Golden Eagle Mountain Villa allow visitors to enjoy the natural scenery and then savor the delicious flavors of natural, wild, green, and pollution-free foods, as well as the refreshing taste of sweet spring water.

The Zhujiayu Scenic Area welcomes domestic and international tourists to come for sightseeing, leisure, entertainment, fitness, exploring history, seeking serenity, and returning to nature.

Address: Zhujiayu Village, Guanzhuang Town, Zhangqiu City, Jinan

Business Hours: 24 hours

Visiting Time: Approximately 5 hours

Price: 40 RMB per person

Price Description: Jinan Zhujiayu Folk Tourism Area

Featured Attractions: Zhujiayu: A typical ancient mountain village in northern China and the only "China Historical and Cultural Famous Village" in Shandong Province.

Supporting Facilities:

Dining and Accommodation

Self-Driving Guide:

Head east along Jingshi East Road (2 km south of National Highway 309)

Parking Information:

Parking areas are available at both scenic spots and accommodation facilities.

Mingshui Subdistrict: Mingshui Town, Zhangqiu City, Shandong Province

Overview

Historical Evolution: Mingshui was initially established as a town during the Song and Jin dynasties. According to *The Great Dictionary of Ancient and Modern Place Names in China*: “Mingshui Town is located over twenty *li* south of Zhangqiu and was an old town during the Jin Dynasty.” During the Ming and Qing dynasties, it belonged to Dongjin Township. In the Republican era, it was part of the Seventh District. In the first half of 1946, the Mingshui District was established. In September 1950, the Mingshui District was renamed the Eighth District. On March 24, 1958, the district was abolished and replaced by Mingshui Township. In September 1958, under the “integration of government and commune” system, Mingshui Township was changed to Mingshui Commune. In January 1983, the Mingshui Commune was abolished and restructured into Mingshui Town and... More detailed information on Mingshui Subdistrict++