Jiufoshan Scenic Area

Jiufoshan Scenic Area

“The beauty of Jiufoshan never tires the eye; its misty peaks draw one’s gaze afar. Pines stretch out their arms to greet the drifting clouds, while the stone Buddha reclines, playful in the breeze…” Jiufoshan is located 180 kilometers north of Chifeng City and 456 kilometers from Beijing. The scenic area borders the grasslands of Bairin Right Banner to the east, the vast grasslands of Hexigten Banner to the west, and the grasslands of Xilin Gol League to the north. It serves as a key gateway for travelers from cities in North China, including Beijing and Tianjin, heading to the grasslands of Hexigten and Xilin Gol. The area features towering peaks, unique rock formations, peculiar stones, and beautiful pine trees, making it a distinctive attraction within Inner Mongolia’s predominantly grassland landscape.

Jiufoshan Scenic Area is divided into two main tourism zones: eastern and western. The eastern zone is characterized by its mountain and rock scenery, featuring high peaks, peculiar rocks, and perilous paths. Many cliffs rise sharply like they were sliced by knives or axes, forming unique landscapes such as “One-Line Sky” and “Sky Bridge.” The wonders of nature have also created vivid natural rock formations that seem to spring from the earth, including the Eighteen Arhats Peak, Goddess of Mercy Sending a Child, Camel Peak, and Sky Dog Rock—each inspiring awe and imagination. The tops of these rocky peaks are dotted with ice pots of various sizes, which hold water year-round. In summer, rainwater overflows from them, cascading down steep cliffs like flying pearls and splashing jade, eventually plunging into deep valleys in a majestic, unbroken flow. In the depths of winter, the water in these ice pots freezes into crystal-clear icicles, creating a magical, fairytale-like scene. The western zone mainly showcases peculiar rocks and lush pines, with elegant peaks, beautiful pine trees, and extraordinary mountain shapes. Mist flows through the valleys, and when the mountain wind howls, the pines roar like thunder. The ever-changing scenery across the four seasons, along with the shifting mists and rosy clouds, presents a truly spectacular view.

The vegetation coverage in the Jiufoshan area exceeds 75%, with well-preserved primitive landscapes. Thousand-year-old pines and cypresses grow on rugged cliffs, while broadleaf and coniferous trees such as holly, maple, cypress, birch, poplar, and elm are spread throughout the mountains. A variety of economic forests, including oak, walnut, pear, apricot, and mountain apple trees, are scattered across the valleys. Wildlife such as foxes, badgers, roe deer, sika deer, and pheasants often make unexpected appearances for visitors. Wildflowers like lilies, honeysuckle, and peonies, as well as wild vegetables such as mushrooms, phoenix wings, and daylilies, bloom in season, dotting Jiufoshan’s green mountains and clear waters. These not only delight the eyes but also offer opportunities to sample the area’s natural delicacies.