Qianling Mountain 黔灵山

About Qianling Mountain

The winding Nine Turns route leads towards Hongfu Temple, whose decorated halls form the principal cultural stop. Higher paths offer views over the city, while Qianling Lake gives a lower, gentler part of the outing. Macaques live in the park, so keep food put away and observe them without approaching or feeding them.

The first Buddhist temple on the mountain, later known as Hongfu Temple (弘福寺) and named for 'the massiveness of Buddha's blessing,' was built in 1672 by the monk Chisong, of the 33rd generation of the Linji Buddhist school. The temple is described as 'the foremost temple of southern Guizhou' (黔南第一寺).

The mountain's range includes the peaks Zhangti, Baota, Tiyu, Santai, Shiyu, Xiangwang, Daluo and Tanshan; Daluo is the highest, at an elevation of 1500 m. A road from the park's main gate leads to the temple; because it winds through nine bends it is known as the Nine Turns Path (九曲径), where many stone inscriptions line the way. Wild macaques live throughout the park and often approach visitors seeking food, which has at times led to injuries.

The park built around the mountain covers an area of 426 hectares in the northwestern part of central Guiyang and is one of the city's main scenic spots; parks of this size within an urban core are uncommon in China.

What to look for

• Hongfu Temple’s halls sit within the wooded hillside.
• The Nine Turns route and hilltop viewpoints reveal Guiyang beyond the trees.
• Qianling Lake provides a contrasting waterside stop.

The surrounding area

A food-and-city chapter with contemporary cafés, local snacks and river walks.

Location & getting there

Getting to Qianling Mountain

The park’s named entrance address is 187 Zaoshan Road in Yunyan District. Use that entrance for the route towards Hongfu Temple and choose the signed ascent or current park transport arrangement on arrival.