Thousand Buddha Mountain (千佛山, Qianfo Mountain), along with Baotu Spring and Daming Lake, is renowned as one of the three major attractions in Jinan. Part of the Tai Mountain range, the mountain is not particularly high, but it boasts a landscape of undulating peaks and lush forests. The mountain’s most notable feature is the Ten Thousand Buddha Cave, which houses nearly 30,000 Buddha statues. The largest of these is a reclining Buddha, measuring 28 meters in length. The cave also contains exquisite murals that illustrate the profound cultural heritage of Buddhism.
Originally known as Lishan, Thousand Buddha Mountain gained its current name during the Sui Dynasty’s Kaihuang era when Buddhism flourished in Shandong. Devout Buddhists carved numerous Buddha statues into the cliffs and constructed the Thousand Buddha Temple midway up the mountain. The temple quickly became a significant religious site, attracting many worshippers. The name “Thousand Buddha Mountain” became widely known from this period. During the Tang Dynasty’s Zhenguan era, the temple was renovated and renamed Xingguo Zen Temple. In the Ming Dynasty, the temple complex was expanded, solidifying its status as a thriving center of religious activity.
Since the Yuan Dynasty, Thousand Buddha Mountain has been the site of annual temple fairs held on the third day of the third lunar month and the ninth day of the ninth lunar month. These fairs, lasting a week, are vibrant cultural events featuring performances such as traditional drumming, martial arts demonstrations, and Shandong kuaishu, a form of storytelling accompanied by rhythmic clapping. These festivities add to the mountain’s cultural and historical significance, making it a must-visit destination for those exploring Jinan.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Highlights of Thousand Buddha Temple
- Vlog about Thousand Buddha Mountain
- Other Attractions in Jinan Urban Area
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | Half a day |
| Ticket Price | 30 RMB |
| Opening Hours | 6.30 – 18.00 |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0531-82662340 |
Location and Transportation
Thousand Buddha Mountain, or Qianfoshan Scenic Area, is located in the southeastern part of Jinan, Shandong Province. The scenic area covers an expanse of 11.46 square kilometers. Specifically, it is situated at No. 18 Jing Shi Yi Road in Lixia District. To get there, you can take bus B16, B190, B62, B68, BRT3, K115, K117, K139, K170, K171, K202, K2, K301, K48, K51, K56, or K93 and get off at Thousand Buddha Mountain Stop (Qianfoshan, 千佛山站).
Highlights of Thousand Buddha Temple
Xingguo Zen Temple
Situated halfway up Thousand Buddha Mountain, Xingguo Zen Temple is a renowned religious site in Shandong Province. Covering an area of 3,000 square meters, the temple complex includes the Mahavira Hall, Guanyin Hall, Maitreya Hall, and Duihua Pavilion. According to a stone inscription from the seventh year of the Chenghua era (1471) in the Ming Dynasty, the temple was once destroyed by fire during wartime. On August 3, 1468, Su Xian, an official from the Prince De’s Mansion, visited the mountain and was deeply moved by the scene of devastation. He subsequently donated funds to rebuild the Buddha halls, monks’ quarters, kitchens, and granaries.
The temple gate faces west, bearing the inscription “兴国禅寺” written by Zhao Puchu, the former chairman of the Chinese Buddhist Association and a calligrapher. An engraved couplet reads, “The evening drum and morning bell awaken the guests immersed in worldly fame and fortune; the sound of chanting and Buddha’s name calls back the souls lost in the sea of suffering,” penned by Jinan scholar Yang Zhaoqing during the late Qing Dynasty. Inside the main hall, statues of Sakyamuni Buddha, Avalokitesvara, Ksitigarbha, the Eighteen Arhats, and the Four Heavenly Kings are enshrined. On either side of the entrance are bell and drum towers. To the south of the entrance, many Buddha statues are carved into the stone wall of Qianfo Cliff. Moving from west to east along the cliff, visitors encounter Dragon Spring Cave, Bliss Cave, Dongtianfudi Stone Archway, and Duihua Pavilion.
Ten Thousand Buddha Cave
The Ten Thousand Buddha Cave, located on the northern slope of Thousand Buddha Mountain, was constructed in 1992. This remarkable cave is a fusion of artistic elements from four of China’s most famous grottoes: Mogao in Dunhuang, Longmen in Luoyang, Maijishan in Tianshui, and Yungang in Datong. The cave stretches for 500 meters and features nearly 30,000 statues of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, disciples, and heavenly kings, created using imitation techniques. These statues embody the essence of the aforementioned grottoes.
One of the cave’s most striking features is a 28-meter-long reclining Buddha. Additionally, a towering 15-meter statue at the cave’s entrance, modeled after the Leshan Giant Buddha in Sichuan, gazes solemnly with a serene and dignified expression. The cave’s walls are adorned with over 10,000 square meters of murals, which showcase a diverse range of styles, from intricate and elegant to robust and grand. These murals and sculptures vividly recreate the artistic splendor of China’s stone grottoes and chronicle the historical evolution of Chinese Buddhism.
Qianfo Cliff (Thousand Buddha Cliff)
Qianfo Cliff, located on the south side of the Zen temple within the Thousand Buddha Mountain complex, is one of the oldest groups of Buddhist statues in Jinan. This site is invaluable for studying Sui Dynasty Buddhism. Carved between 587 and 595 AD, the cliff features nine grottoes housing over 130 Buddha statues. The main cave, known as Jile Cave, is particularly significant. It contains a 3-meter-high seated Amitabha Buddha adorned with a halo. Flanking the central figure are two nearly 3-meter-tall standing Bodhisattvas: Mahasthamaprapta on the right and Avalokitesvara on the left. These statues were carved in the eleventh year of the Kaihuang era (591 AD). Other smaller caves and statues are scattered across the cliff’s exterior, forming a fascinating ensemble of early Buddhist art.
Lishan Courtyard
Lishan Courtyard, situated to the east of Xingguo Zen Temple, is also known as the East Temple. Originally, this courtyard served as a harmonious gathering place for Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. The entrance bears the inscription “历山院,” derived from an imperial stele of the Qianlong Emperor. Inside the southern wall of the entrance, there is a plaque titled “历山铭 (Lishan Inscription),” written by Qing Dynasty scholar-official Ruan Yuan in 1795, with calligraphy by renowned scribe Gui Fu. The collaboration of these two eminent scholars adds significant cultural value to the site.
Lishan Courtyard is primarily dedicated to promoting the culture of Emperor Shun, a legendary figure in Chinese history. Key attractions within the courtyard include the Shun Shrine, Lu Ban Shrine, Three Saints Hall, and Yilan Pavilion. In 2009, a major restoration project aimed to enhance the site’s historical authenticity and cultural significance. The restoration included the preservation of ancient relics, the refurbishment of buildings, and the creation of new couplets and inscriptions. Additionally, a monumental carving of the “Shun Classic” was added to the cliff face, measuring 30 meters in length and 6 meters in width, with over 800 characters. This inscription further enriches the Shun cultural atmosphere within the courtyard.
Guanyin Garden
Guanyin Garden is dedicated to the revered Bodhisattva Guanyin, known as the Goddess of Mercy. At the heart of the garden stands a striking 15-meter-tall statue of the White-Robed Guanyin. This serene figure is placed in the center of a pond, exuding an aura of compassion and approachability. Surrounding the central statue are 26 different manifestations of Guanyin, each representing various aspects of her benevolence and powers. These include the Free and Easy Guanyin, the Child-Giving Guanyin, the Bead-Holding Guanyin, the Sea-Crossing Guanyin, and the Willow Branch Guanyin, among others.
Adjacent to the White-Robed Guanyin statue is the Guanyin Hall, a structure that blends seamlessly with the garden’s tranquil ambiance. The hall, connected by traditional pavilions and corridors, exhibits a classic architectural style that adds to the garden’s charm. This space not only provides a place for worship but also allows visitors to immerse themselves in the peaceful and reflective environment.
Maitreya Garden
Maitreya Garden, built in collaboration with the Japanese company Myokoen Co., Ltd. in 2000, spans an impressive 30,000 square meters. This garden features a harmonious blend of Chinese and Japanese landscape architecture. The main attraction here is the grand statue of the Laughing Buddha, Maitreya. This statue, including its granite lotus pedestal, stands at a towering height of 20 meters, making it the tallest Buddha statue north of the Yangtze River. The statue’s body is crafted from 3mm thick copper plates, while the lotus seat is about 9 meters high and 30 meters in diameter.
The garden’s layout emphasizes symmetry and axial alignment, enhancing the grandeur of the central Buddha statue. Flanking the main statue, the rock walls are intricately carved with the images of the Eighteen Arhats, each depicting a story of enlightenment and wisdom. Behind the main Buddha statue is a massive 36-meter-long and 3.5-meter-high stone relief that illustrates the life story of Maitreya Buddha, covering an area of 126 square meters.
