Lotus Flower Fairyland is located on the north side of Huangshabu Village, 4 kilometers south of Duozhuang Town and 40 kilometers southwest of Zhangqiu District, Shandong Province. It is connected to the peaks at the northern foot of Mount Tai and covers an area of more than 20 li in circumference. Surrounded by mountains on three sides and facing water on one side, it is shaped like a lotus flower and rises layer by layer, hence the name Lianhua Mountain.
According to ‘Zhangqiu County Annals – Survey of Mountains and Waters’, it is said that ‘Lianhua Mountain is eighty li south of the county seat. Looking around from the mountain, it is like a hundred thousand hibiscus reaching straight to the sky.’ The main peak, Mo’erqi, is 763 meters above sea level and covers an area of 1 square kilometer. It is named after the mountain body resembling two upper and lower millstones. This peak is also called Lingjiu Peak, probably because there is an ancient temple hidden in the deep mountains, Buddhism is flourishing, and it is renowned throughout Shandong Province. The surrounding peaks are like stars holding the moon, surrounding it on both sides. They are as clear as a green screen. Two streams originate here, and the spring water is sweet and clear. At the foot of the mountain, the waves are horizontal, and the water in Haishan Reservoir is clear and leisurely. Looking across the water, the peaks in the north of Mount Tai are faintly visible in the clouds and mist. There are crisscross gullies between the ridges, beautiful trees are lush, steles line the road, and palaces and pavilions are lofty. It has always been a sacred place for Buddhism and Taoism and a fairyland on earth. Traveling west from Haishan Lake in Duozhuang, crossing the Lianhua Bridge, one enters the Lianhua Mountain Scenic Area. The scenic area has beautiful natural scenery and many historical sites. Looking up and looking north, at the foot of the verdant mountain stands a tall and magnificent memorial archway, facing south with four columns and three floors. It is resplendent and magnificent, with a majestic momentum. This is the mountain gate of the scenic area. The mountain gate has upturned eaves and is majestic and spectacular, 20 meters high and 30 meters wide. It is painted with gold characters and gold dots in swirling style, imitating the architecture of the Ming and Qing dynasties. In the middle, a golden plaque hangs with the inscription ‘Lotus Flower Fairyland’, written by Venerable Yicheng, the president of the Buddhist Association of China. Two huge stone lions stand on both sides in front of the mountain gate, tall and mighty. On the right cliff stands a cliffside inscription with a large red character ‘Buddha’, five meters high, powerful and majestic, with a magnificent momentum.Opening hours: Open all year round from 08:00 to 18:00.
