Zhaobao Mountain is located at the mouth of the Yongjiang River. Although the mountain is less than a hundred meters high, it is rich in cultural landscapes.
On the mountain, there are the Ao Zhu Tower, Baotuo Temple, and numerous coastal defense fortifications from the Ming and Qing dynasties. If you come with children or are interested in the military, experiencing the 4D effects of land, sea, and air battles in the military experience area is also a very interesting activity.
The main cultural landscapes of the scenic area are around the mountaintop, and the paths on the mountain are easy to walk on, making climbing a leisurely activity. Starting from the scenic area service department, there are three paths leading to the mountaintop near the Jia Jing Fang, allowing you to appreciate different terrains. Among them, the central path, which leads directly to the mountaintop’s Weiyuan Fortress and Baotuo Temple, is also relatively easy to walk on, making it the main path up the mountain.
Not far up the mountain, you will encounter an ancient stone stele from the Yuan Dynasty – the First Mountain Stele, where tourists often take photos as a memento of their visit. Continuing forward, you will see a thousand-year-old ancient sea dyke, a relic of the Qing Dynasty’s coastal defense project. The sea dyke looks like a small Great Wall from a distance, and the sea that was once beneath the dyke has long since turned into fertile land, yet the structures still stand, demonstrating the superb craftsmanship of the time.
Passing through the chessboard flat area, you arrive at the Weiyuan Fortress located at the mountaintop. This is a stone castle built to resist the Wokou pirates, and during the Qing Dynasty, the Weiyuan Battery once achieved a victory on the sea defense line. Also, because it is built on the mountaintop, the entire structure appears very imposing, and standing at the foot of the city seems to allow one to feel the scene of smoke and fire from the past.
On the left rear side of the Weiyuan Fortress, the Ming and Qing stele forest, although many were destroyed during the Cultural Revolution, still allows one to learn a lot about the history of Zhaobao Mountain by carefully studying the content of the inscriptions. Not far ahead is the Baotuo Temple, which has become a famous Buddhist site for believers due to the enshrinement of the ‘Reluctant to Leave Guanyin’ moved from Putuo Mountain, where one can pray for friends and relatives.
After exiting the back door of Baotuo Temple, the scenery here is very pleasant. You can see the Golden Rooster Mountain on the opposite bank of the Yongjiang River, and even the ‘command platform’ on the mountaintop. As for the Zhaobao Mountain Bridge that spans both banks, the cable-stayed bridge is very imposing, and the economic development zone on the opposite bank is also full of vitality.
Following the path down the mountain on the west side, you can see the towering Ao Zhu Tower from a distance. This tower is not only the symbol of Zhaobao Mountain but also the highest point in Zhenhai. Today’s Ao Zhu Tower, after renovation, has some exhibitions set up inside the tower, where one can learn about the ‘独占鳌头’ culture, see the Guanyin statue, and appreciate the calligraphy of famous people from Zhenhai. However, compared to these dry displays, climbing the tower to overlook the vast sea surface is more tempting. If the weather is good, you can even see the distant Zhoushan Archipelago. There is only one path down the mountain in front of the Ao Zhu Tower, and following the path down the mountain will bring you back to Jia Jing Fang.
If you are interested in the military, the China Air Defense Expo Park on the east side of the mountain (free, closed on Mondays) and the military experience area on the west side, not only can you see historical displays about the sea defense of Zhenhai, exhibitions of planes and tanks, but you can also play 4D simulation projects (additional fee). At Zhaobao Mountain, you can control fighter jets to soar through the blue sky, drive aircraft carriers to defend the maritime borders, and operate tanks for long-range raids… Experience the battles of land, sea, and air in a realistic environment and satisfy your military cravings.
The park is open year-round from 08:30 to 16:00.
Preferential policies include:
– Children: Free for those under 1.2 meters in height (inclusive); half price for those between 1.2m (exclusive) and 1.5m (exclusive).
– Elderly: Free for those aged 70 and above (inclusive); half price for those aged between 60 and
### Special Admissions
Below is a list of individuals who are eligible for free admission:
– **Disabled Individuals:** Entry is complimentary with a disability certificate.
– **Faculty and Staff:** Free access is granted to those with a senior teacher certificate of over 30 years.
– **Journalists:** Admission is free with a valid press card.
– **Retired Cadres:** Free entry is provided with a retired cadre certificate issued by the Zhenhai District Committee.
– **Model Workers:** Those with a model worker certificate at the district or city level can enter for free.
– **Blood Donors:** Entry is free with a Zhejiang Province unpaid blood donation honor certificate.
– **Firefighters:** Free admission is granted with a national fire and rescue service certificate.
### Additional Information
Please note that the information above is for reference purposes only. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please check the daily disclosures at Zhaobao Mountain.
### Important Tips
We would like to inform you that there are paid guided tours available within the scenic area. These tours can enhance your experience and provide deeper insights into the attractions.
