Huashan Historical and Cultural Wetland Park

Huashan Historical and Cultural Wetland Park

Huashan in Shandong, also known as Huabuzhu Mountain, was once called "Jinyu Mountain" because during the Warring States period's Battle of An between the states of Jin and Qi, the trace horse of Duke Qing of Qi’s chariot got its reins caught on a tree branch here, causing the chariot to get stuck. Located at the northeast corner of Jinan City, it rises 197 meters above sea level, jutting abruptly from the flat land like a sword thrusting from the earth. Huabuzhu Mountain has long been famed for its rugged beauty. Viewed from different angles, it takes on varying forms—many believe that “Huabuzhu” is a phonetic variation of “flower bud.” It earned its name due to its resemblance to an unopened lotus flower. Its rocks are bluish-gray, distinctly different from the geological structure of the Tai mountain range in the southern suburbs of Jinan. Li Daoyuan described Huabuzhu Mountain in his "Commentary on the Water Classic" as follows: “A solitary peak of elegant beauty, not connected to hills yet standing tall on its own; fang-like teeth stand sharply, a lone summit piercing the sky.”

“Emerald cliffs and verdant peaks appear like strokes of dark ink.” The famous Yuan Dynasty painter and calligrapher Zhao Mengfu’s painting "Autumn Colors on the Que and Hua Mountains" depicts the scenery around Que Mountain and Huabuzhu Mountain. According to the "Zuo Zhuan" (Commentary of Zuo) in the "Spring and Autumn Annals," in the second year of Duke Cheng’s reign (589 BC), Duke Qing of Qi fought the Jin army near Jinan. Due to his arrogance and underestimation of the enemy, he was defeated and, while being pursued by the Jin army, made three laps around Huabuzhu Mountain. Thanks to his servant Choufu, who switched places with him and ordered him to fetch water from Huquan Spring, Duke Qing managed to escape. The Song Dynasty writer Zeng Gong wrote in his poem "Climbing Huashan": “Choufu’s loyal sacrifice is nowhere to be found, leaving only a handful of sweet spring water.” The Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai wrote in "Ancient Airs": “Once when I traveled to the Qi capital, I climbed the peak of Huabuzhu. How steep and fair is this mountain, lush and green like a lotus. Secluded and ancient like an immortal, clearly it is the Red Pine. Lend me a white deer, and I’ll take two green dragons. Smiling, I’ll ride beyond the inverted scenery, joyfully willing to follow.”

Two of the Eight Scenic Spots of Ancient Jinan involve Huashan: "Nine Points of Smoke" and "Mist and Rain over Que and Hua." To the south of the mountain lies the largest ancient architectural complex in Jinan—Huayang Palace, covering an area of 90,000 square meters. It was first built in the fourth year of the Xingding era of the Jin Dynasty (1220 AD), established by Chen Zhiyuan, a disciple of Qiu Chuji, the great master of the Quanzhen School, who constructed Huayang Palace south of the mountain. The surrounding area is dotted with ponds, and in ancient times there was Huashan Lake, making it a typical suburban landscape tourism destination. No one knows exactly when the buildings of Huayang Palace were constructed. Legend has it that during the Eastern Han Dynasty, Liu Xiu begged for food at Zhijia Village at the foot of the mountain. A man named Zhai Aizi took him in. Later, when Liu Xiu became emperor, he married Zhai Aizi’s sister, and the Zhai family became wealthy. They built many estates at the foot of the mountain and funded the construction of Huayang Palace.

There are several foreign-related hotels and small restaurants and inns near Huashan, such as Huangtai Grand Hotel and branches of Minghu Grand Hotel. Shopping and entertainment facilities are also convenient. Huashan stewed chicken and braised carp are renowned far and wide. Huashan has a long history, and literati throughout the ages have visited the mountain. There are many historical anecdotes, the most widely circulated being the following: halfway up Huashan is a Temple of Lüzu. One day, when monks went down the mountain to fetch water, a wolf entered the temple. The monks shut the door after bringing in the water. The starving wolf ended up eating the monk, but then couldn’t get out of the temple gate and eventually starved to death inside.

Photography: Li Feng

Image source: Tourism Public Service Center Image Library