Wolf Dance Mountain

　　Wolf Dance Mountain, also known as Wolf House Mountain, is situated in the eastern part of Xiangcheng Town, Zoucheng City, at an altitude of 459 meters. It consists of 15 peaks of various sizes, spanning an area of 11,000 mu. With a high level of natural vegetation, the mountain has 3,500 mu of forested land, 1,000 mu of orchard and fruit cultivation, and 3,000 mu suitable for afforestation. The scenic area is now designated as a "Shandong Provincial Water Conservancy Scenic Area." The area is densely wooded and covered with flowers and grasses, offering fresh air, the fragrance of wild fruits, and a uniquely pristine forest landscape. The Wolf Dance Mountain Water Conservancy Scenic Area combines the grandeur of northern landscapes with the elegance of southern scenery, making it the largest primitive, purely natural ecotourism destination in the eastern Zoucheng mountainous region.

　　The Wolf Dance Mountain Scenic Area integrates the beauty of pristine ecological mountain and water landscapes, the mystical Wolf Cave, and the vast, diverse primeval forests. It brings together mountains, water, forests, caves, waterfalls, and rocks, characterized by its “beauty, richness, uniqueness, charm, and accessibility.” It seamlessly blends natural and cultural attractions, creating a spectacular and mutually enhancing panorama.

　　The “beauty” of Wolf Dance Mountain lies in its picturesque mountain and water scenery, abundant springs, and clear streams. Originally, there were two small reservoirs with a water surface area of 50,000 square meters and a water storage capacity of 200,000 cubic meters. Since the development of the scenic area, water has been intercepted along the mountainsides, dams have been constructed, and 12 ponds have been built, adding 15,000 square meters of water surface and increasing the water storage by 45,000 cubic meters. This has created a natural landscape where mountain streams flow, mirror-like pools glisten in quiet valleys, springs bubble vigorously, and cascading waterfalls echo in unison. The natural water systems in the scenic area have crystal-clear water quality and are rich in resources. The reservoirs and ponds host a diverse range of aquatic plants, animals, and microorganisms, including more than ten types of fish such as black carp, grass carp, silver carp, common carp, and ornamental species. There are also aquatic plants like reeds, lotus, and pondweed, as well as rare organisms such as the freshwater jellyfish (Craspedacusta), a globally scarce primitive species, and other plankton. Each water system and surface forms its own independent ecosystem—a natural biological cycle kingdom.

　　The “richness” of Wolf Dance Mountain lies in its lush, verdant primeval vegetation, the splendor of ancient rare plants, and the vibrant diversity of exotic flowers and grasses. The mountain boasts abundant forest resources, with a forest coverage rate of 70%. It is covered with trees such as pine, cypress, locust, and poplar, hosting over 140 species of woody plants and more than 150 species of herbaceous plants. Especially in the Locust Flower Valley, the strong fragrance of blossoms intoxicates visitors, while entering the Pine Tree Ridge feels like venturing deep into an ancient forest, where one can easily lose their sense of direction. The area is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including surviving species such as wolves, badgers, eagles, and pheasants. It also features numerous wild medicinal herbs like honeysuckle, ganoderma, dandelion, and salvia, as well as dozens of wild grasses such as skin-peeling vine, mugwort, wild reed, and cogon grass. Temperate fruits are abundant, with the region producing a rich harvest of dried and fresh fruits such as jujubes, apricots, yellow pears, walnuts, cherries, chestnuts, hawthorns, and strawberries.

　　The “uniqueness” of Wolf Dance Mountain lies in the boundless power of nature that splits through the earth and penetrates rocks. It is found in the exquisitely crafted, translucent, lifelike, and intricately carved bizarre rocks; in its resemblance to a soaring eagle spreading its wings; and in the majestic, ever-changing forms of a celestial dragon. The “uniqueness” of Wolf Dance Mountain also lies in its millennia-old mysteries that baffle the world—how did the cracked mountain peaks form? How were these strange rocks shaped? What is the origin of the Wolf House Cave? These mysteries await exploration and discovery. Its wonder is further enhanced by the dreamlike, ever-shifting clouds and mists that envelop the cliffs. The captivating stories hidden beneath this mysterious veil draw adventurers to explore its depths.

　　The “beauty” of Wolf Dance Mountain is reflected in the stunning natural scenery surrounding it. Around the mountain are 99 peaks of varying sizes, including Wubao’an Mountain, Long Mountain, and Lianqing Mountain, as well as 17,083 mu of national public welfare forests and 12,886 mu of provincial public welfare forests. Wubao’an Mountain is recognized as a “Provincial Forest Park” and a “Municipal Nature Reserve,” often referred to as the “Number One Oxygen Bar in Eastern Zoucheng.” Natural ecological parks such as the “National Greening Thousand-Best Village”—Dahe, the “National Thousand-Best Small Watershed”—Liuzhuang, and the provincial wetland park—Moting Reservoir—are naturally formed, elegant, distinctive, and uniquely charming. The surrounding scenic area is rich in produce. Five-mu high-quality peanut planting bases, ten-thousand-mu jujube bases, ten-thousand-mu Kate apricot bases, ten-thousand-mu mulberry cultivation bases, ten-thousand-mu safe cantaloupe production demonstration bases, and ten-thousand-mu cherry planting bases are spread throughout the region. Throughout all seasons, fruits and melons abound, filling the air with their fragrance for miles around.

　　The “accessibility” of Wolf Dance Mountain is due to its fast and convenient transportation. The mountain is just 8 kilometers from the Xiangcheng (Yishan) entrance of the Beijing-Fuzhou Expressway, 14 kilometers from the Zoucheng entrance of the Beijing-Fuzhou Expressway, 18 kilometers from National Highway 104, 22 kilometers from Qufu Station on the - Railway, 34 kilometers from Tai- Head on the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, 210 kilometers from Rizhao Port, and 400 kilometers from Qingdao Port. Water transport via the Baima River through the Beijing-Hangzhou Canal can directly reach areas in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai. After the completion of the - Railway, it takes only 2.5 hours to reach Beijing or Shanghai, and the drive to Jinan Airport, Xuzhou Airport, or Linyi Airport is within 2 hours. The intercity expressway section of the Lin (yi) He (ze) Highway in Jining (the southern second ring road of Jining City), a key trunk road, connects directly from the new location of Jining’s North Lake Eco-New Town (the new site of Jining Municipal Party Committee and Government) to Jining Airport and the Beijing-Fuzhou Expressway Xiangcheng (Yishan) entrance. It links to the seat of Xiangcheng Town government, allowing a 40-minute drive from Xiangcheng to Jining and arrival in Qufu (Jining) Airport within 1 hour. Zoucheng City plans to construct a 15-meter-wide sightseeing and tourism road along the artificial river created by the joint water diversion project between Moting Reservoir and Xiwei Reservoir. This will connect the Wolf Dance Mountain Water Conservancy Scenic Area with downtown Zoucheng through waterways and roads, forming a mutually complementary and mutually enhancing layout where water systems connect, roads link, urban and rural areas complement each other, and both benefit.

　　In recent years, Zoucheng City has leveraged the unique agricultural resource advantages of Wolf Dance Mountain, relying on its favorable geographical and ecological environment and superior transportation location, to vigorously develop eco-cultural tourism. It has also promoted natural sightseeing agriculture ecotourism, hailed as a “green industry,” initially forging an industrialized, ecological path for agricultural development.

　　“During your visit, you’ll fully enjoy the delights of the mountains; after leaving, you’ll long for the otherworldly realm.” The pristine ecological scenic corridor makes you feel as if you’ve entered a paradise on earth. This is the enchanting—Wolf Dance Mountain Water Conservancy Scenic Area.

　　Source: CPC Zoucheng Municipal Committee, Zoucheng Municipal People’s Government