|
 Qianfo
Shan (Thousand Buddha
Hill), one of the three
major places of interest
in Jinan, is located
about two and a half
kilometers southeast of
the city.
Buddhism flourished in
Shandong Province during
the reign of Kaihuang
(581-600) of the Sui
Dynasty (581-618). Many
monasteries were built
in the area of Mount
Lishan and numerous
images of Buddha
sculptured on the rocky
cliffs. Hence the place
came to be known as the
"Thousand Buddha Hill",
which today also
embraces Huangshi Ya
(Yellowstone Cliff) and
Jueshan (Mount Jueshan)
in the south and east
respectively.
Thousand Buddha Hill,
overgrown with grass and
flowers and ageless pine
and cypress, from a
distance is a huge
carpet of green dotted
with pavilions, towers
and terraces. It is not
of impressive height,
being only 280 meters,
nor does it boast of
weird peaks and strange
valleys. Nonetheless,
its convenient location
and picturesque scenery,
and the tranquil beauty
of the ancient monastery
nestled in its bosom,
draw tourists by the
thousands each year. |
