Qilin Mountain Scenic Area

Qilin Mountain Scenic Area

The Qilin Mountain Scenic Area is located on the eastern bank of Ying River, on the beautiful and fertile Jiadong Peninsula. The area borders the sea, with mountain ranges stretching six to seven kilometers, covering a total area of approximately 20 square kilometers. Peaks such as Qilin Mountain, Lion Mountain, Elephant Ground Mountain, and Tongtian Mountain rise one after another, offering lush greenery and clear blue waters. The harmonious blend of mountains and sea presents a spectacular view.

Qilin Mountain boasts captivating scenery and is endowed with uniquely exceptional natural landscapes. Hike up high mountains, walk through green shades, explore small trails, and climb peculiar cliffs to experience the unique coastal mountain ecology. Gaze at the sea, watch the waves, admire the beaches, and look out at the rocky islets—it’s like stepping into a painting, immersing yourself in the vastness of the ocean. Tongtian Mountain is steeped in ancient legends and offers a tranquil environment. Lion Mountain resembles a majestic lion guarding the ever-bustling sea. “Solitary Isle Hosting Hundred Cranes” features a small island of hundreds of acres covered in dense forests, where flocks of cranes freely nest and breed, making it a paradise for seabirds. “Mandarin Duck Pool” has soft silver sands, crystal-clear seawater, and a mirror-flat surface, making it an ideal spot for sea swimming. “Heavenly Official’s Lost Hat Rock” is a sea-eroded rock weighing over a thousand tons, shaped strikingly like a top scholar’s hat—a masterpiece crafted by the sea over millions of years, with a popular legend behind it. “Cat Staring at Mouse Rock” features lifelike shapes and is full of fun. “Boat Pile Stacked Rocks” stand over forty meters tall, with two massive rocks stacked together, touching at an area no larger than a wok lid. They sway with the wind and emit pleasant sounds, hence also called “Wind-Swaying Rock.” At the highest peak of Qilin Mountain stands a lighthouse. Originally built in the 1950s with a kerosene lamp, it was upgraded to a solar-powered light in 1995 with approval from the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities. Below Qilin Mountain lies a reservoir with a water surface area of 20,000 square meters. Fed by mountain spring water, the reservoir remains rippling year-round, regardless of dry or rainy seasons. Its water is crystal clear, sweet to the taste, rich in beneficial minerals and trace elements, and known to nourish skin and enhance beauty.

Qilin Mountain has a strategically important terrain and has long been a contested military site. The mountain is dotted with visible and hidden fortifications and wartime structures. Since the 1950s, it has been a military restricted zone, with troops from the army, navy, and air force stationed there year-round. Each branch occupied a strategic high point, setting up distinct military installations with different roles, equipment, and uniforms. Dozens of soldiers, each belonging to one of the three major branches of the People's Liberation Army, added an air of mystery to Qilin Mountain. With the advent of reform and opening-up and changes in the military situation, the three armed forces have since withdrawn. However, the military barracks on the mountain, underground arsenals, air-raid shelters, and trenches remain well-preserved. As a tourist attraction, visitors can explore these authentic military facilities, inspiring patriotism and offering a glimpse into modern military culture.