[2025 Qingzhou Attraction] Travel Guide for Camel Mountain (Updated Apr)

⛰️Tuoshan Mountain is located 4 kilometers southwest of Qingzhou City and is named after its camel-like shape. The natural scenery here is beautiful, the mountains are steep, the forest coverage rate is as high as 89.15%, and there are more than 5,000 ancient trees. Tuoshan not only has beautiful natural scenery, but also rich historical and cultural relics, such as the Tuoshan Cliff Grottoes Statue Group, which has 638 statues and displays the artistic styles of the Northern Zhou, Sui and Tang dynasties. ⏰Opening hours: 06:30-17:30 all year round 🎟️Tickets: Adult ticket 40 yuan, Yunmen Mountain + Tuoshan combined ticket 80 yuan. 🚗 Transportation to the attraction: 1️⃣ Public transportation: You can take a bus from Qingzhou city, but you need to transfer and walk a long way, so it is recommended to take a taxi. 2️⃣ Self-driving: There is a road from Qingzhou city directly to the foot of Tuoshan Mountain. 👍️Main attractions: •1️⃣ Tuoshan Cliff Cave Statue Group: The largest cliff cave statue group in Shandong Province and one of the most complete cave statue groups in eastern China. The statues in the grottoes are rich in themes and exquisitely carved, showing the artistic styles of different dynasties. •2️⃣Natural Giant Buddha: Located on the Wangfotai on the mountainside, you can see a natural giant Buddha formed by the curve of the mountain in the southeast direction. It is 2,500 meters long, with regular facial features and a lifelike image. •3️⃣Haotian Palace: Located on the top of the mountain, it is another important cultural relic of Tuoshan. 💗Other tips: 1️⃣Some sections of the Tuoshan Scenic Area may be steep, so please pay attention to safety when climbing. 2️⃣It is recommended to pay attention to weather conditions and scenic spot opening information before visiting. 3️⃣ Protect cultural relics and historical sites, and do not touch or damage the cave statues.

| Which one is more fun, Tuoshan or Yunmen Mountain? . Tuoshan and Yunmenshan are not far apart, but there is no means of transportation to and from them. You can only drive or take a taxi. The journey takes 5 minutes and the walk takes half an hour [Facepalm] So many people will only choose one mountain to visit, so which one should they choose? The common points of these two scenic spots are: [○] The mountain is not high, about 400 meters above sea level. [○]There are Taoist temples and grottoes on the mountain. [○] The grottoes were built at a relatively close time, from the Northern Qi and Northern Zhou dynasties to the Sui and Tang dynasties. [○]You can overlook Longxing Temple. [○] The ticket price is 10 yuan more expensive than Yunmen Mountain. The differences are: [×] Yunmen Mountain is built more neatly, without any steep slopes. Tuoshan has higher steps and more steep slopes. [×] Yunmen Mountain has a large number of stone carvings, with various styles. [×] There are many caves in Tuoshan and they are very interesting. [×] From the top of Yunmen Mountain, you can overlook the entire Qingzhou City. On the top of Tuoshan Mountain, there is a beautifully built Taoist temple, Haotian Palace. The building complex is relatively large, and there is a Qibao Pavilion from the Yuan Dynasty, which is a stone, beamless, column-free, double-arched pavilion-style building. [×]There are restaurants in Yunmen Mountain, but not in Tuo Mountain. In summary, if you want to save energy go to Yunmen Mountain, and if you want to see the culture go to Tuoshan. Personally, I prefer Tuoshan. P.S: It is recommended to visit Longxing Temple, which is solemn and grand.

After visiting the Qingzhou Museum, we went to Longxing Temple nearby. Located on the north side of Wangfu West Street, Qingzhou City, Weifang City, Shandong Province, and on the south side of Qingzhou Museum, it is a site from the Southern and Northern Dynasties to the Ming Dynasty. It was founded in the Southern Dynasty Liu Song, developed during the Northern Wei and Eastern Wei periods, reached its peak during the Tang and Song Dynasties, and disappeared during the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty. In October 1996, a Buddhist statue hoard from the late Northern Song Dynasty or early Jin Dynasty was discovered in the northern part of the site. After cleaning, more than 600 Buddhist statues, 142 coins, and 2 pieces of ceramics were unearthed. Most of these statues still retain their original colors of painted and gilded paintings, such as cinnabar, sapphire blue, ochre, peacock green, black, white, and other natural mineral pigments. Some statues even have painted pictures of characters and stories on their bodies or clothes. The Buddhist statues unearthed from the Longxing Temple hoard in Qingzhou are large in number, exquisitely carved, well-preserved with gilded paintings, and have a long time span. They make up for the lack of physical materials in the archaeological study of Chinese Buddhism, especially the archaeological study of Buddhism in the Eastern Wei and Northern Qi periods, and provide valuable materials for the study of Chinese Buddhist archaeology and Chinese art history. On March 5, 2013, the Longxing Temple site in Qingzhou was announced by the State Council of the People's Republic of China as the seventh batch of national key cultural relics protection units. It is in a great location, right next to the entrance to the Tuoshan Scenic Area. Parking is convenient, and it is open to the public for free.

In Tuoshan, one of the eight ancient scenic spots of Qingzhou, there is actually a hidden grotto group of Buddha statues. It is the first grotto group in Shandong and the most well-preserved grotto in eastern China. The largest Buddha in Shandong is also here. Tuoshan Grottoes, built from the Northern Zhou to the flourishing Tang period, integrate the characteristics of three periods. There are a total of 5 caves and 1 cliff with 638 Buddha statues. The themes of the statues include Buddha, disciples, Bodhisattvas, and donors. Each statue seems to be telling stories of the past. Tour Guide: No retracing steps. Main entrance → Worship Platform → "Tuoshan" Stele → Wangyun Pavilion → Worship Platform → Tuoshan Grottoes → Heavenly Ladder → South Heaven Gate (mountain top) → Jade Emperor Hall → Mountain God Temple → Down the mountain Recommended Spots: Tuoshan Stone Inscriptions: Written by Qiao Yu, Minister of Personnel and Grand Guardian of the Crown Prince during the Ming Zhengde period. The Third Cave, the largest among the five caves, has a Buddha statue over six meters tall, known as the "First Great Buddha of Haidai". The statue, with a delicate face and broad robe, is a Northern Zhou creation. The Second Cave is said to have 77 inscriptions, including a hidden statue of a Persian man. The statue of a Persian man wearing a narrow-sleeved robe from the Sui Dynasty is one of the two unique features of Qingzhou Buddha statues. Haotian Palace, a Taoist temple originally named Tuoshan Temple, was renamed Haotian Palace at the end of the Song Dynasty. It was renovated during the Ming and Qing dynasties, leaving behind the Ming Jiajing period stele "Reconstruction of Tuoshan Haotian Palace Record". It is currently the address of the "Qingzhou Taoist Association" and photography is not allowed. Mountain God Temple, one of the oldest existing buildings in Tuoshan, is a stone structure with a double-arched roof without beams. The bluestone window lattices are intricately carved. It was renovated in modern times and is a place where people pray for children and blessings. From the top of the mountain, you can overlook Longxing Temple and Yuanjue Temple. One is resplendent and magnificent, the other is heavy and simple. The photos taken here are very picturesque, giving a feeling of a mini Forbidden City. Opening Hours: 06:30-17:30 Transportation: Public transportation is not very convenient, it is recommended to drive by yourself. There is a free parking lot at the entrance.

Mount Tuo and Mount Yunmen are both famous mountains in Qingzhou, Shandong. Both mountains are located not far southwest of Qingzhou city center, standing opposite each other. Both mountains have cave temples built around the same time, and they are part of the same national protected unit entry as two sub-projects. Both mountains are over 400 meters high, with roughly the same elevation. In terms of climbing difficulty, Mount Tuo is relatively steep, while Mount Yunmen is comparatively gentle, with climbing times ranging from half an hour to about an hour. The two mountains are quite far apart, and there was a cable car service, but it has not been open recently, so you need to take a taxi or drive there. 👍Most recommended: Mount Tuo is named for its resemblance to a camel lying down when viewed from a distance. On the southern cliff halfway up the mountain, there are 5 cave temples and 1 cliff carving from the Northern Zhou to the Sui and Tang dynasties. The largest among them, Cave No. 3, carved in the late Northern Zhou period, has a 6.5-meter-tall Amitabha Buddha statue at the front, with a full face and robust body, wearing a double-collared cascading robe, exuding great beauty. The Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva on both sides also have a strong Northern Dynasties style. 📝Note tips: Several cave temples on Mount Tuo are covered with protective wire mesh because the caves face west to east. In the strong morning sunlight, the shadows of the wire mesh are clearly cast on the Buddha statues, significantly affecting the photo quality of the statues. Compared to Mount Tuo, Mount Yunmen is more famous and attracts more visitors. The most famous site here is the huge character for 'longevity' at the top of the mountain, which has become a must-visit spot for blessings. The Yunmen Mountain cave temples are located on the sunny side of the mountain that bears the 'longevity' character. The condition of these caves is not as good as those on Mount Tuo, with 5 large caves and several small niches, housing a total of 270 statues of various sizes. Most of the statues here are relatively intact, but their heads have been damaged. Additionally, among the cliffs and near the caves of Mount Yunmen, there are many inscriptions by literati from various dynasties, with well-preserved characters. The Yunmen cave in the middle of Mount Yunmen connects both sides and offers a distant view of the entire Qingzhou city, making it a worthwhile spot for sightseeing and lingering.

Many people mention Qingzhou, the first thing they think of is the exquisite Longxing Temple statues. However, the Tuo Mountain Grottoes in Qingzhou, compared to the "perfect" Longxing Temple statues, bring a deep and peaceful beauty, worth savoring the inner beauty. Unlike the Longxing Temple statues that hit the eye, the statues of the Tuo Mountain Grottoes are more like a cup of aged wine. During the Sui Dynasty, most of China's important grotto statues were located in Shandong. There may have been many sculpture activity centers in central and eastern Shandong. The Sui Dynasty statues were mostly located on the slopes near important temples. The artistic level of the works left by these sculptors is uneven. The good works undoubtedly represent the sculptural quality of the Sui Dynasty. The Tuo Mountain Grottoes are known as the "crown of the Qi and Lu grottoes", which began to be excavated from the Northern Zhou Dynasty and completed in the middle of the Tang Dynasty, lasting nearly two hundred years. During the Yuan Dynasty, due to the dispute between Buddhism and Taoism, Tuo Mountain was once occupied by Taoists, causing some damage to the statues. The ticket for climbing Tuo Mountain in Qingzhou, Weifang, Shandong is 40 yuan, and it is free for people over 60 years old. The mountain is not high, but the steps are steep, all are steps carved out of mountain stones, there is almost no flat part, and the whole journey takes about two hours. There is a Buddha-viewing platform halfway up the mountain, where you can see the opposite mountain peak, like a Buddha's head lying on his back, which is very spectacular. When you climb to the top of the mountain, you can see the most recommended Tuo Mountain Grottoes in Qingzhou. This is the largest and best-preserved group of grotto statues in eastern China. There are a total of 5 caves here, each of different sizes, and you can still vaguely see the colored patterns on the grottoes a thousand years ago, and the Buddha statues in the grottoes are solemn and shocking! Coming out of the grotto and going up, there is a Taoist temple-Haotian Palace. This is a place for the Quanzhen Taoist cultivation, and there are still Taoist priests practicing inside, and there is a stele forest at the door, which is forbidden to take pictures. To appreciate the thousand-year-old grottoes, Tuo Mountain is the best choice, it is very worth a visit!

Qingzhou, Shandong, is one of the ancient nine provinces Fan Zhongyan, Ouyang Xiu, and Fu Bi have all been prefects here It can be seen that it is famous in history Li Qingzhao lived here for 20 years with her husband Zhao Mingcheng There is also a county-level museum of the same level as the Forbidden City - Qingzhou Museum 2 hours high-speed rail distance from Beijing 🍓Places to go: ◾️Qingzhou Ancient City: There are Ou Garden, the memorial hall of landscape painting master Li Cheng, churches and city towers in the ancient city. Overall, it is quite comfortable to stroll around. There are many snacks inside. ◾️Camel Mountain and Longxing Temple: Go to climb Camel Mountain in the morning, there are the so-called Shandong's first grotto statues on it, it is quite tiring to climb the mountain, you need to bring more water, there are no shops on it. You can overlook Longxing Temple from the high point of Camel Mountain. Although Longxing Temple is a newly built temple, it is still very magnificent. The Buddha statues inside are tall and solemn, and there are many small stone monks on the ground outside, which are very cute. ◾️Qingzhou Museum: If you go to Qingzhou, you must go to Qingzhou Museum. When taking a 🚗, the master asked, are you going to the museum? (Laugh) Although it is a county-level museum, due to the discovery of more than 600 Buddhist statues from the Northern Wei to the Northern Song Dynasty at the Longxing Temple site in 1996, it was one of the "Top Ten Archaeological Discoveries of the Year" and became a national first-class museum. "If National Treasures Could Talk" also has a special episode about the smiling Buddhas. You can understand the changes of Buddha statues from the Northern Wei to the Song Dynasty. If you look closely, each Buddha statue has a different face. Many Buddha statues have suffered a great deal of damage, but they all maintain a smiling expression, which is very shocking. The champion scroll and Qiu Ying's version of the Qingming Shanghe Picture should not be missed. ◾️Fan Gongting Park: It seems to be a citizen leisure park inside. But the Three Sages Temple (Fan Zhongyan, Ouyang Xiu, Fu Bi) and Li Qingzhao's former residence (under renovation) are located here. The lotus flowers are in full bloom, and the trumpet creepers are also blooming. Adults hide under the green wisteria trees to cool off, and children use lotus leaves as umbrellas. There is also a studio for learning to make rubbings in the Three Sages Temple. ◾️Others: There are also Yunmen Mountain (a huge Shou character), Huanghua Creek, and the Sleepless City that I didn't have time to go to. 🚗Transportation: Usually take a taxi, not expensive. 🍱Eating: I found that many of the foods here are halal, and there are many Hui people's shops on the road. It is said that these people settled down after a big migration. Qi Ji soil chicken rice noodles are in the ancient city, there are a lot of people, but it is really delicious. Breakfast at Wang Zhiyong's breakfast shop. The local dishes of the Old Street Impression are not used to eating, the halal Longsheng pastries are a bit too sweet...