Wenfeng Mountain

Wenfeng Mountain

The Wenfeng Mountain Scenic Area is located on Wenfeng Mountain to the southeast of Chawang Village, Chengnan Town, in the southern suburbs of Zichuan District. Covering an area of 200 hectares, including 260,000 square meters of water surface, it is a large-scale resort destination in Zibo City with prominent cultural and humanistic features.

It is said that Wenfeng Mountain was originally called Nanshan (South Mountain). During the Xianfeng era of the Qing Dynasty, a young man from the Li family in the village studied diligently, passed the imperial examination to become a Juren (a successful candidate in the imperial provincial examination), and became the most educated person in the village at the time. After climbing the mountain for a sacrificial ceremony, the Juren was filled with emotion and thus named the mountain Wenfeng (Literary Peak). To express his deep affection for his hometown and his earnest hopes, the Juren raised funds to build the Wenchang Pavilion atop the mountain. Inside the pavilion, statues were erected to depict the majestic presence of Wenchang Dijun (God of Literature) Zhang Yazi, revered as the eternal ancestor of literature. According to research, Wenchang refers to a constellation in astronomy, specifically the fourth star among the six stars of the Wenchang Palace, which is said to govern literary fortune, hence also known as the "Wenqu Star." Historical records indicate that Zhang Yazi of the Jin Dynasty lived in Qiqu Mountain in Bashu, was talented in literature, died in battle, and was later honored with a temple by later generations as a revered sage. In the Yuan Dynasty, he was conferred the title of Wenchang Dijun, becoming the deity specifically in charge of examinations and literary success in the human realm. In ancient times, schools, guildhalls, and bookstores throughout the country that built shrines or pavilions in worship could be seen as part of a traditional culture of reverence blending the divine and the human — not to be dismissed as mere superstition.

Today’s Wenfeng Mountain is lush with trees and blooming flowers. There are three man-made lakes on the mountain, namely: Wenfeng Lake, Moon Lake, and Mountains-and-Rivers Lake. The largest of them, Wenfeng Lake, has a water surface diameter of 250 meters, a depth of 10 meters, and holds 400,000 cubic meters of water. With a gentle breeze blowing, the lake sparkles, while the weeping willows along the shore whisper softly in the wind, swaying gracefully. A double-decked hexagonal pavilion in the center of the lake extends over the water via a footbridge, its reflection shimmering in the deep blue water. To the west of Wenfeng Lake lies Moon Lake, with crystal-clear waters where plump fish swim freely, occasionally leaping out of the water and creating ripples — making it an ideal spot for fishing enthusiasts.

Adjacent to the north of Moon Lake is the Wenfeng Mountain Villa. The villa is covered with dense, verdant pines and features three platforms: Sun, Moon, and Harmony, available for visitors’ fitness activities. The highest of these, the “Sun” platform, is designed in the style of Beijing’s Temple of Heaven, radiating outward from the sun as the center in nine concentric rings. From the inside out, the number of marble stones in each ring is a multiple of nine, creating a spectacular sight. To the south of the “Sun” platform lies the Marshals’ Garden, where busts of China’s ten marshals and ten generals, all exquisitely carved from premium white marble, are displayed along with brief biographies. The Marshals’ Garden serves as an ideal site for educating young people about revolutionary traditions and patriotism. Next to it is the Strange Rocks Forest, as if standing guard for the lifelong military heroes. Within the villa’s woods are 13 European-style wooden cabins, offering a unique experience for rest, entertainment, and dining.

To the southwest of the Wenfeng Mountain Villa is the rebuilt Wenchang Pavilion. The pavilion covers a construction area of 380 square meters, has eight sides and three floors, and stands 22.8 meters tall. The architecture is elegant and distinctive, fully reflecting the beauty of traditional Chinese architecture, especially the upward-curving roof corners. Aside from the north and south gates, the other six outer walls are adorned with ceramic murals depicting full-body statues of China’s “Sage of Literature” Confucius, “Sage of History” Sima Qian, “Sage of Calligraphy” Wang Xizhi, “Sage of Poetry” Du Fu, “Poetess” Li Qingzhao, and “King of World Short Stories” Pu Songling, each accompanied by a biography. Inside the pavilion is a statue of Wenchang Dijun, along with inscribed stone tablets. Visitors who approach the hall and read these tablets are sure to gain insight. The entire architectural complex is surrounded by lush trees and serene, refined scenery, attracting worshippers from all directions.

To beautify the landscape, various stone sculptures have been placed throughout the mountain. Rare in our city are the grand Nine-Dragon Wall and the Stone Memorial Archway. Other carvings include stone deer, elephants, oxen, horses, cranes, fish, and turtles — some lying down, some standing, some leaping, some flying — in diverse poses and magnificent forms. Along the stone railings on both sides of the corridor at Wenfeng Lake, 1,600 stone lions are carved, each charmingly naive.

Stone pavilions are another highlight of the mountain. Built against the mountain are three Hundred-Dragon Pavilions and two Stone Phoenix Pavilions. Each stone pavilion is supported by six dragon-carved stone pillars, with stone-built roofs. Inside, there are stone tables and stools, some of which are engraved with chessboards for visitors to play cards or chess.

To enhance the mountain’s greenery, since 1996, more than 70 types of trees and flowers have been planted, totaling over 500,000 plants. These include over 500 transplanted large trees, all with a 100% survival rate. The area also features 100,000 square meters of lawns, all planted with new varieties such as Venus, Pharaoh, and early-maturing ryegrass, known for their long green seasons. The entire scenic area features pavilions and towers scattered across the mountain in a well-arranged, distinct hierarchy, delicate and unique; the trees are lush, the flowers fragrant, blooming three seasons of the year and evergreen in all four, presenting a beautiful and magnificent landscape.