Malian Terrace

Malian Terrace

Malian Terrace is located in the southeast corner of Qijiazhong Village, Qiling Subdistrict Office, Linzi District. It is a tourist attraction that combines cultural landscapes with natural scenery. From National Highway 309, cross the Zibo River Bridge and Taigong Lake, then head west from the Zibo River Bridge toll station past the Guanzi Memorial Hall in Beishan Village. Follow the asphalt road leading to Zhong Village straight south to reach the site.

The area features crisscrossing ravines, surrounding hills, towering terraces, and rugged terrain. If you visit in mid-spring, the first sight to greet you is a mysterious ravine. Soon, the fragrance of locust blossoms wafts through the air. Looking around, the ravine is blanketed in snow-white blooms. Upon closer inspection, you’ll see clusters of locust tree branches adorned with pearl-like blossoms, topped with golden flower caps. Bathed in sunlight, they shimmer delicately and exquisitely. The blossoms sway in the gentle spring breeze, resembling butterflies dancing on the trees, filling you with joy. You can’t help but take deep breaths of the air, which carries a faint, refreshing fragrance—truly invigorating and instantly boosting your enthusiasm for exploration.

Walking 100 meters south along the ravine, you’ll find the Stone Sea on your left. It’s said that the Stone Sea was only recently discovered and arranged by local villagers. Here, slabs of bluish stone lie in waves. Some resemble monsters or turtles, each vividly lifelike. Stretching over 200 meters, the Stone Sea is narrower at the bottom and wider at the top—less than 5 meters at the base and over 60 meters at the top. The view is breathtaking and awe-inspiring. From the hillside, the entire Stone Sea forms an "S" shape. Gazing at the astonishing, wave-like stones, you feel as if you’re standing by the ocean, hearing the roar of waves crashing. It’s both real and surreal, leaving you captivated by its unique artistic charm—a true masterpiece of nature. Everyone can’t help but marvel at the artistry of Mother Nature.

Exiting the Stone Sea, follow the rugged path, guided by the intoxicating scent of locust blossoms, straight toward Malian Terrace. At this point, legends about Malian Terrace may come to mind:

During the Ming Dynasty, an official surnamed Zhong lived in Linzi City. Disillusioned with the deceit and intrigue of officialdom, he resigned and retreated to a life of farming, calling himself the "Jishan Hermit." Later generations referred to him as Master Zhong.

One day in mid-spring, drawn by the fragrance of locust blossoms, Master Zhong arrived at Malian Terrace. There, he found crisscrossing ravines and a forest of locust trees, their white blossoms emitting a captivating scent. He couldn’t help but become enchanted.

From then on, Master Zhong settled here. Legend also speaks of an elderly woman with a pockmarked face, and together, they were said to have done many good deeds for the local people.

In the year of Jiashen (1644 AD), as the Ming Dynasty fell and the capital was captured, Qing troops ravaged the land, leaving desolation and suffering in their wake. People fled with their children and elders, like startled birds seeking refuge. "Hurry to Malian Terrace!" seemed to be a divine call heard by all. They flocked there. Atop the terrace, rainbows soared and radiant light shone as the pockmarked old woman and Master Zhong stood on the high platform, waving their arms to beckon the people. So, the people rushed there without hesitation.

Days later, when the Qing troops retreated and the smoke cleared, Malian Terrace regained its tranquility. When the people returned to their villages, they asked each other where they had hidden. The unanimous answer was: "Malian Terrace!" They were stunned—how could such a small earthen terrace and two humble thatched huts shelter thousands? Stranger still, no one had seen each other.

Later, to honor the compassion of Buddhism, the pockmarked old woman and Master Zhong were revered as incarnations of Guanyin Bodhisattva and Manjushri Bodhisattva, messengers of peace. The people, who despised war and longed for peace and prosperity, pooled funds to build a sacred temple complex. The front hall, the White-robed Hall, enshrined Guanyin Bodhisattva, while the rear hall, the Wenchang Hall, honored Manjushri Bodhisattva. From then on, within a hundred li of Malian Terrace, doves cooed, swallows fluttered, crops flourished, and the people lived in peace and harmony. The temple was later renovated during the 14th year of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty...

(1675 AD), rebuilt again in the 12th year of the Qianlong reign...

(1749 AD), the 14th year of the Daoguang reign (1834 AD), and the 33rd year of the Guangxu reign (1907 AD). Four stone steles stand as evidence.

Tragically, in the mid-20th century, a campaign to "eliminate feudal superstition," followed by an unprecedented catastrophe, destroyed the bodhisattvas who had blessed the people for over 300 years. Their statues were shattered, and the halls were demolished. Today, not even ruins remain. Only the four steles commemorating the temple’s construction and renovations, along with a newly built stone cave, silently recount those lost years...

From the terrace’s summit, you can gaze east, west, and south to see rolling mountains, while the north offers an unobstructed view of Linzi’s skyline of high-rises. Looking down, ravines encircle the terrace, and locust blossoms blanket the ground like snow. The poet Li Fazhou once wrote: "Silver blossoms scent the valley / Lush green leaves cluster thick / Colorful butterflies dance above / Inscribed stones stand proud in the midst."

Perhaps these locust blossoms are truly enchanted. It’s said the bodhisattva statues were destroyed forty years ago during the peak blooming season. On a gloomy day, the locust trees were in full bloom, their clusters hanging like white funeral banners, silent as if mourning the bodhisattvas’ departure. Kind-hearted people knelt, weeping and bidding farewell. Their tears flowed like rivers, their devotion unparalleled. Perhaps they never truly left—their roots firmly planted here, like this locust forest. Their spirits transformed into the blossoms, perfuming the world.

On March 30, 1988, the Linzi District People’s Government designated Malian Terrace as a district-level protected cultural relic, and the Qiling Town Subdistrict Office erected a commemorative stele. Today, Malian Terrace is a key tourism development zone in Linzi. With its uniquely designed facilities, distinctive locust trees, and beautiful blossoms, it captivates every visitor.