TIANMENG Scenic Area in Feixian County

TIANMENG Scenic Area in Feixian County

TIANMENG Scenic Area in Feixian County, with its undulating peaks and rolling ridges, is hailed as the “Second to Mount Tai.” Stretching hundreds of miles across five counties and cities—Pingyi, Feixian, Mengyin, Yinan, and Linyi—the area lies at the core of the central Mount Meng range. It is recognized as a National Geopark, a National Forest Park, and a Scenic Area of Shandong Province. The park boasts breathtaking natural landscapes. The 1,073-meter-high Yuzhu Peak (also known as Guaxinjuezi), the second highest peak of Mount Meng, rises sharply towards the sky, its pointed summit resembling a blade piercing the clouds. The 1,001-meter-high Wanghai Tower is the best spot in the Mount Meng area to view the East Sea and watch the sunrise, earning it the nicknames “Little Mount Tai” and “Second to Mount Tai.” Hulu Cliff is steep and rugged, with sheer rock faces up to 100 meters high that inspire awe. At 929 meters above sea level, Tashan features uniquely shaped rocks and peaks resembling a pagoda, standing majestically apart. The Zijinkou Pass in eastern Mount Meng, a vital north-south transportation hub, was a site of fierce battles—during the Anti-Japanese War, the Eighth Route Army fought the Japanese here, and during the Liberation War, the People’s Liberation Army engaged in a defensive battle against enemy forces. The “Century-Old Rock-Hewn Aqueduct” is truly remarkable. Other sites, such as Yuhuangding, Huangjiazhai, SheTouGu, Jiucuiyuanzi, Bawanggong, and the mysterious “Dawang” sinkhole formed by geological collapse, are all shrouded in fascinating legends.

The park is covered in dense forests with abundant plant life, featuring a forest coverage rate of 95%. It is home to 294 species of woody plants from 62 families and 138 genera, over 500 species of herbaceous plants, 110 species of mosses, and 7 species of nationally protected plants (both Class I and II). There are also 142 species of wild animals, making it a true “natural zoo.” The park contains some of China’s earliest large-scale plantations of Japanese larch, black pine, red pine, and Japanese fir. Chen Rong, a renowned Chinese dendrologist, once remarked, “This place can be regarded as the birthplace of scientific afforestation in China.” Ancient trees such as a 500-year-old ginkgo, and century-old Japanese larch, Japanese fir, and black pine are not only natural wonders but also carry cultural significance. Each can stand as a scenic attraction on its own, offering immense value for sightseeing, scientific research, and culture. The park also features a science exhibition hall for flora and fauna, displaying 120 bird specimens and images of 60 types of Mount Meng trees, making it the third-largest exhibition hall in Shandong Province. Experts and professors from Shandong Agricultural University, Beijing Forestry University, and Linyi University have conducted numerous research studies here, achieving many scientific results. The park has been designated as a “Youth Science Education Base” and a “Teaching Practice Base.” The annual Junior Military Summer Camp provides an ideal environment for young people to connect with nature, build resilience, improve self-reliance, and receive education on revolutionary traditions. According to measurements by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the area has up to 2.2 million negative oxygen ions per cubic centimeter—4,400 times the amount found in ordinary air. It’s a place to “listen to the pine waves” and enjoy the “natural oxygen bar.” This ultra-clean destination is perfect for tourism, summer retreats, wellness, and leisure. By the streams, fragrant orchids bloom and lush trees glisten; birds sing melodiously in the mountain valleys, and the fresh, misty air is invigorating. Sunlit waterfalls sparkle like gold and silver, scattering pearls and jade, creating a delightful experience that nourishes the soul.

The area is rich in cultural heritage. Legend has it that immortals once cultivated elixirs here, monks practiced Buddhism, and countless poets and scholars visited, leaving behind timeless verses. In 1894, German missionary Walter saw the value of this land and built a three-story European-style villa here. Nestled among green trees, the building is serene, elegant, and uniquely charming. Despite enduring over a century of weathering, it remains well-preserved. The park also houses unique Ming Dynasty structures in Mount Meng, such as the Yuhuang Temple and Mengshan Temple, which have attracted worshippers and incense offerings for generations. Known as a sacred site where Taoism, Buddhism, and Catholicism coexist on one mountain, it blends harmoniously with the natural landscape to form a renowned religious and cultural mountain.

With its beautiful mountains, waters, and trees, along with numerous historical and cultural landmarks, a visit to Tashan Forest Park is a wise choice and a wonderful experience in life.