Jingshong Mountain

Jingshong Mountain

Jingshong Mountain is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

The Jingshong Mountain Scenic Area is located in Santunying Town, Qianxi County. According to local chronicles, Jingshong Mountain was formerly known by two names: Ming Mountain in the south and Yin Mountain in the north. During the Ming Dynasty's Tianshun era, when the Jizhou Regional Military Command was relocated to Santunying, the mountain was renamed Zhuque Mountain based on the traditional orientation of the Vermilion Bird in the front, the Black Tortoise in the back, the Azure Dragon on the left, and the White Tiger on the right. Later, because the “Three Loyal Shrines” were built on the mountain, people renamed it Jingshong Mountain, meaning “Admiring Loyalty and Righteousness.” With its breathtaking natural landscapes, profound and time-honored Buddhist and Taoist culture, and unique and magnificent ancient architecture, Jingshong Mountain was praised by Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty as the “Famous Mountain Under Heaven.”

The religious culture of Jingshong Mountain is extensive, profound, and has a long history. Historical records indicate that since the Song Dynasty, Taoist priests have practiced asceticism on the sunny side of the mountain, and incense offerings have continued uninterrupted for thousands of years. In the late Ming Dynasty, a group of frontier generals, represented by the national hero Qi Jiguang, expressed their aspirations through the mountain and restored its temples. The Three Loyal Shrines enshrine Zhuge Liang, Yue Fei, and Wen Tianxiang—three loyal patriots—and promote Confucian governance ideals. The Bixia Yuanjun Grand Hall worships the revered Taoist deity Bixia Yuanjun, who enjoys widespread influence among the people. In the early Qing Dynasty, Emperors Shunzhi, Kangxi, and Qianlong held Jingshong Mountain in particularly high esteem. They visited the mountain six times, not only allocating substantial land and silver to restore temple buildings on the mountain and at its base but also bestowing a sixteen-jin-four-liang golden statue of the Goddess and a complete set of over 4,500 volumes of the Buddhist Scripture "Dazangjing." Additionally, they summoned the eminent monk Bieshan Huishan Puying to the imperial palace to preach Zen and worship Buddhism, marking the first time a high-ranking monk was invited into the palace during the Qing Dynasty. Historical inscriptions record that Emperor Shunzhi chose Kangxi as his heir after divination at Jingshong Mountain. As a result, Jingshong Mountain gained great fame and became renowned across the land.

Jingshong Mountain reached its peak during the early Qing Dynasty. Blending Buddhism for the mind, Taoism for the body, and Confucianism for governance, the three teachings harmonized on one mountain. The mountain’s temple architecture follows the contours of the landscape, combining simplicity with elegance and presenting a spectacular sight. By the early Qing Dynasty, three complete religious architectural complexes had formed at the mountain’s base, mid-slope, and summit. The phrase “Seventy-two temples, one hundred and sixty golden-faced deities” vividly illustrates the grandeur of Jingshong Mountain at that time. In recent years, the government and devotees have carried out large-scale restoration of the ancient structures. Now, major features such as the mountain gate, Four Marshals’ Hall, hiking trails, tea shelters on the first, second, and third levels, Immortal-Worshipping Gate, Sea-Viewing Tower, Bixia Yuanjun Hall, and South Heaven Gate have largely been restored to their original state, with over 40 scenic spots of various sizes.

Jingshong Mountain stands alone in solitary beauty. The 1,872 stone steps leading up the mountain wind their way around and lead straight to the summit. The mountain is covered with lush vegetation, boasting an exceptionally rich diversity of wild plants—over 80 species—with a forest coverage rate of 99%. Pine trees dominate the landscape, including more than 3,000 ancient pines over 200 years old. Here, spring brings blooming mountain flowers, summer blankets the hills in green shade, autumn paints the forests in vibrant hues, and winter drapes everything in silvery white—each season offers its own stunning view. In the early Qing Dynasty, Emperors Shunzhi and Kangxi visited the mountain several times, inscribing plaques such as “Spiritual Mountain’s Beauty,” “Famous Mountain Under Heaven,” and “First Step on a Famous Mountain.”

Temple fair folk culture is another highlight of the Jingshong Mountain Scenic Area. During the annual temple fairs on the 18th day of the fourth lunar month and the 15th day of the tenth lunar month, visitors flock in from Tianjin, Tangshan, Chengde, Inner Mongolia, and other regions. Merchants gather, and a rich variety of folk cultural activities take place, including song and dance, Pingju opera, acrobatics, shadow puppetry, and flower festivals.

Address: 600 meters east along Gongnan Road, Santunying Town, Qianxi County, Tangshan City

Type: Mountain & Temple

Rating: AAAA

Recommended Visit Duration: 3–4 hours

Phone: 0315-5837999

Social Media Accounts:

Opening Hours:

7:30-17:00

Santunying Town: A town under the jurisdiction of Qianxi County. It served as the seat of the Jizhou Regional Military Command during the Ming Dynasty. In 1953, Santunying Township was established; in 1958, it became part of Dongfeng Commune; in 1961, Santunying Commune was formed; in 1984, it reverted to township status; and in 1985, it was upgraded to a town. In 1995, Pengzhuang Township and Gaojiadian Township were merged into it. Located in the western part of the county, it is 12.5 kilometers from the county seat, covering an area of 111 square kilometers with a population of 25,000. The tunnel diverting water from the Luan River to Tianjin runs through the southern part of the town. The Bangjun–Kuancheng Highway passes through the area. The town administers Guanyuan, Xilou, Jingquan, Bao hu, Nanguan, Xiguan, Dongjie, Beijie, Jizhuangzi, Xuetuoya, Zhaojiacun, Pailougou... More detailed information about Santunying Town++